New CNESST 2026 Standards: What Every Employer Needs to Know About First Aid in the Workplace

Since February 12, 2026, Quebec employers have faced new obligations regarding first aid in the workplace. The Quebec government has adopted significant amendments to the Regulation respecting minimum standards for first aid and first aid services—and these changes directly affect kits, the number of first aiders required, and the layout of first aid rooms. If you haven't reviewed your compliance yet, now is the time.

Reading time: approximately 5 minutes

Why these new CNESST 2026 standards?

Quebec's regulatory framework for workplace first aid had not been updated for several years. The amendments adopted in January 2026 aim to align Quebec practices with current Canadian standards, notably the CSA Z1220 standard (update to CSA Z1220-17), and to better protect workers in emergencies.

These changes follow reforms to the Act respecting occupational health and safety (LSST) and the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases (LATMP). In short: if you are an employer in Quebec, these new standards directly concern you—whether you manage an office with 10 people or a construction site with 200 workers.

What has changed: the 3 major modifications

1. The first aider ratio has been reduced

This is the most significant change for the majority of employers. Previously, one first aider was required for every group of 100 workers or fewer present simultaneously. Now, the rule is:

• One first aider is mandatory as soon as 50 workers or fewer are present simultaneously.
• An additional first aider is required for each additional increment of 100 workers.
• Workers present for less than 30 minutes in the establishment are excluded from the calculation.

Concretely, this means that many employers who previously were not obliged to have a certified first aider on site must now designate one—and ensure their training is up-to-date.

2. The contents of first aid kits must comply with CSA Z1220

The reference to CSA Z1220-17 is gone. The amended regulation now requires that the contents of workplace first aid kits comply with the updated CSA Z1220 standard—the latest Canadian standard.

This also applies to work vehicles:

• Every work vehicle must be equipped with a first aid kit when no other kit is easily accessible nearby.
• For vehicles transporting more than five workers and located more than 30 minutes from a medical service, the kit must meet the requirements applicable to workplace kits.
• In all other cases, a Type 1 (personal) kit is the minimum required.

If your current kits were purchased a few years ago, it is highly probable that they no longer meet the new requirements. An inventory is essential.

3. First aid rooms are better defined

For establishments or construction sites with more than 100 workers present simultaneously, the employer must now equip the first aid room with:

• A stretcher or any other equipment allowing a worker to lie down comfortably, with a surface that can be easily disinfected.
• A detailed inventory including: oxygen administration devices, emergency suction device, backboard, complete resuscitation kit, sterile material, personal protective equipment.

Furthermore, if more than 200 workers are present simultaneously, an additional Type 3 (intermediate) first aid kit is required for each additional increment of 100 workers.

The concept of "simultaneous presence": an important clarification

The amended regulation replaces the reference to workers who "are at work" with that of workers "present simultaneously." This change in wording refocuses the analysis on the actual occupancy of the premises—and not on the total workforce of the company.

This has concrete implications for companies whose teams work in shifts, part-time, or on staggered schedules. The obligation is now assessed based on the number of people actually on site at a given time.

Forestry work: reinforced requirements

Companies carrying out forest management work face even stricter requirements:

• One first aider is required as soon as five workers or fewer are present.
• Two first aiders are required if between six and ten workers are present.
• An additional first aider for every increment of five workers beyond ten.

What to do now? The practical checklist

To comply with the new CNESST 2026 standards, here are the priority actions:

1. Count your workers present simultaneously—per shift, per site, per vehicle. This is the basis of the calculation.
2. Check if you need to designate an additional first aider—if you have between 1 and 50 workers on site and no certified first aider, you are out of compliance.
3. Inventory your kits—compare their contents with the requirements of the CSA Z1220 standard. Expired or incomplete kits must be replaced.
4. Check your work vehicles—each affected vehicle must be equipped with a compliant kit.
5. Evaluate your first aid room (if you have more than 100 workers)—stretcher, suction devices, detailed inventory.

Key takeaways

The new CNESST standards for workplace first aid have been in effect since February 12, 2026. The ratio of first aiders has been revised (1 per 50 workers), kits must comply with the updated CSA Z1220 standard, and first aid rooms are better regulated. Non-compliance exposes the employer to penalties during CNESST inspections. Now is the time to assess your situation.

---

Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational purposes only. For complete and official requirements, consult the CNESST website or an occupational health and safety advisor. In case of emergency, dial 911.