Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Virginia
If you run or manage a workplace in Virginia — an office, shop, construction site or factory — the law requires you to have enough trained first-aiders on your staff, ready to help a colleague in an emergency.
An employer duty — to rescue a colleague
Workplace first aid is not a job qualification: it is the employer's duty to appoint and train enough first-aiders, scaled to headcount and risk level, so someone can act immediately if a colleague is injured. The exact number and rules depend on the regulations that apply in Virginia.
What the law requires in Virginia
How many designated first-aiders?
No fixed numeric ratio, and a notable peculiarity: Virginia does NOT adopt 29 CFR 1910.151(a) and (b) for general industry — so there is no state mandate requiring a trained first-aider at general-industry worksites. Construction employers remain subject to the construction first-aid provisions (including 1910.151(c) eyewash). In practice, the first-aider obligation depends on sector and hazards, with no numeric ratio.
Virginia operates its own occupational safety and health program covering both private and public sector workers.
No ban on online training for workplace first-aiders. Online theory training is accepted; a hands-on component is recommended for CPR.
Region specifics
- Virginia is a rare state plan that does NOT adopt 29 CFR 1910.151(a)/(b): no state general-industry first-aid standard (construction remains covered).
- State OSHA plan covering both private and public sectors; VOSH provides compliance options specific to mobile work crews.
Why it matters
A workplace emergency can happen at any time. When it does, the difference between a positive outcome and a tragedy often comes down to whether someone nearby is trained to respond. Having certified first aiders on staff isn't just a legal requirement — it's an investment in your team's safety.
The course
Our course, built to the CSA Z1210-17 standard, 100% online and leading to a certification, meets and exceeds this requirement.
WorkplaceFirst Aider – General Public (8h)
This 8-hour training, designed for the general public, provides essential knowledge for effective emergency intervention. It is intended for anyone wanting to learn first aid skills, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), wound and bleeding management, or the handling of critical situations. Accessible and practical, this course develops vital skills for protecting and rescuing loved ones or anyone in danger, thereby strengthening community safety.
WorkplaceFirst Aid – Intermediate Level (16h) – CSA Z1210-17 Compliant
Upon successful completion of this 16-hour IN-PERSON intermediate-level first aid training, the candidate will receive a valid certification that meets the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard.