Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Jamaica
If you run or manage a workplace in Jamaica — 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 Jamaica.
What the law requires in Jamaica
How many designated first-aiders?
Certified first-aid personnel, trained to a level appropriate to the workplace hazards, must always be available to render assistance; maintained first-aid boxes must be provided and accessible according to the nature, size and type of operation (UK model: trained person in charge above 150 workers).
Jamaica governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.
No training delivery mode is prescribed; workplace first-aid training combining online theory with a practical assessment is accepted.
Region specifics
- Framework in transition: the 1943 Factories Act remains in force while the OSH Act 2017 (covering all workplaces) is progressively brought into force.
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.
Is this really what you're looking for?
Our first-aid and CPR courses are 100% online, lead to a recognized certification, and exceed the required standards; a hybrid option is also available and fits most needs. Choose the course that fits your situation:
The course
Our course, built to the CSA Z1210-17 standard, 100% online and leading to a certification, meets and exceeds this requirement.
CSA Z1210-17First 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.
CSA Z1210-17First Aid – Healthcare Professional (16h) - Compliant with CSA Z1210-17
This 16-hour first aid training, compliant with the CSA Z1210-17 standard, is specifically designed for healthcare professionals. Upon completion, the candidate will receive a certification valid for two years, meeting the requirements of 'Intermediate First Aid Training' as defined in the CSA Z1210-17 standard. Skills will be updated annually, and the training must be renewed every two years to maintain active certification. Tailored for nurses, it strengthens the safety of residents in long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings.
Specifically need the "Workplace first aid" certificate?
That specific regulatory certificate must be completed in full with the legislating body: Occupational Safety and Health Department, Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Jamaica is the regional exception: the regulations require the appointed first-aider's training to be 'approved by the Commissioner.' This is a qualification-recognition mechanism, not open employer discretion — a provider not recognised by the Commissioner may not satisfy the statute. Our non-accredited training (online theory + practical assessment) can complement but does not guarantee compliance where the Commissioner's approval is required; the OSH Act 2017, being brought into force, may specify an approval regime.