Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR South Africa
If you run or manage a workplace in South Africa — 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 South Africa.
What the law requires in South Africa
How many designated first-aiders?
Where more than 10 employees are employed, the employer must appoint at least one trained first-aider available during working hours. Ratio: one first-aider per 50 employees in hazardous workplaces, and one per 100 in offices and shops.
South Africa governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.
The regulation requires a first-aider trained by an approved provider but does not prescribe the delivery mode; online theory combined with a practical assessment is accepted.
Region specifics
- The first-aider must be trained by an organisation approved by the Department of Employment and Labour; the Level 1 certificate is valid for 3 years.
- A compliant first-aid box must be provided and readily accessible at every workplace.
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: Department of Employment and Labour (Occupational Health and Safety Inspectorate).
General Safety Regulation 3(4) requires the first-aider to hold a certificate issued by a person or organisation approved by the Chief Inspector; approval presupposes SETA/QCTO accreditation. A non-approved online provider cannot issue a legally valid workplace first-aid certificate in South Africa — our training complements but does not replace the approved provider.