First Aid Training for Construction Workers Vancouver
Construction work keeps Vancouver growing, but it also comes with real risks. Falls, heavy equipment, electrical hazards, and busy job sites mean that injuries can happen at any time. Because of that, construction sites are classified as high-risk workplaces under WorkSafeBC Regulation Part 3, and the first aid requirements are stricter than for most industries.
At Fundamental First Aid, we specialize in WorkSafeBC-approved first aid training for construction workers. Our programs give tradespeople, supervisors, and safety officers the certification and confidence to handle emergencies effectively and meet WorkSafeBC standards for high-risk job sites.
About Fundamental First Aid
Fundamental First Aid is a WorkSafeBC-approved emergency training school located at 1868 Glen Dr #206, Vancouver, BC V6A 4K4. Our most popular Occupational Health Service for our construction company clients is WorkSafeBC-approved first aid certification.
We train hundreds of construction workers each year from Downtown Vancouver, Mount Pleasant, Burnaby, Richmond, and North Vancouver. Our instructors have real experience in the field and understand what happens on job sites. Classes are practical, hands-on, and designed around the realities of construction work rather than classroom theory.
We help every student leave prepared to respond with skill, speed, and calm when someone gets hurt.
Why First Aid Training Is Critical for Construction Workers
Construction is considered high-risk work because of the nature of the tasks involved:
- Working at heights and on scaffolds
- Operating heavy machinery
- Exposure to tools, moving vehicles, and power equipment
- Changing environments and weather conditions
In addition, many construction projects qualify as less accessible worksites under WorkSafeBC’s First Aid Regulation. These are sites where areas would be hard, or impossible, for paramedics to access quickly.
For less accessible or remote projects, WorkSafeBC requires higher levels of first aid coverage and more advanced attendants. The reasoning is simple: when help takes longer to arrive, workers on site must be trained and equipped to manage injuries for longer periods of time.
WorkSafeBC Requirements for Construction Sites
According to WorkSafeBC Regulation Part 3 (Occupational First Aid) and the updated “less accessible work” provisions, construction employers must maintain first aid coverage based on the number of workers, hazard level, Accessibility and distance to medical care.
For high-risk and less accessible worksites with a crew size of less than 10, the minimum requirement is:
One OFA Level 2 Attendant with a Transportation Endorsement (TE).
This ensures the attendant can provide care and arrange safe transport for injured workers when advanced medical help is delayed.
When the crew size reaches 10 or more workers, the requirement increases to:
One OFA Level 3 (Advanced First Aid) Attendant, and
- One OFA Level 1 attendant with Transportation Endorsement.
These standards are outlined in WorkSafeBC Schedule 3-A. Our instructors at Fundamental First Aid explain how those rules apply to your specific type of worksite, so you understand exactly what level of coverage your project needs.
OFA Level 2 Training with Transportation Endorsement
For many construction crews, the starting point is OFA Level 2 with Transportation Endorsement. This course prepares workers to act quickly in high-hazard environments and during transport to a hospital or remote pickup point.
Course length: 2 days for OFA Level 2, and 1 day for T.E., so about 24 hours total (typically 3 days).
Certification: valid for 3 years (WorkSafeBC approved).
You will learn:
- Scene assessment and communication with emergency services
- CPR Level A and AED use
- Managing bleeding, shock, and soft-tissue injuries
- Splinting fractures and stabilizing spinal injuries
- Preparing patients for transport (Transportation Endorsement)
- Documentation and WorkSafeBC reporting requirements
Every session includes realistic simulations that mirror common construction injuries such as falls, crush injuries, and lacerations.
OFA Level 3 Advanced First Aid for Large or Remote Crews
Once a worksite has ten or more workers, or when the project involves complex, high-hazard activity, WorkSafeBC requires an OFA Level 3 attendant.
OFA Level 3 is a 70-hour advanced program that covers extended care when emergency medical services may be delayed. It is also the standard course for Construction Safety Officers and anyone supervising first aid operations.
Topics include:
- Advanced patient assessment and airway management
- Oxygen therapy and suction equipment
- Major trauma and head, neck, and spinal injuries
- Managing shock, internal bleeding, and chest injuries
- Environmental emergencies (heat, cold, and electrical contact)
- Coordinating evacuation and communication with paramedics
Having a certified OFA Level 3 attendant on your site not only satisfies WorkSafeBC Part 3 but also demonstrates a proactive commitment to worker safety and risk management.
The Transportation Endorsement Explained
For high-risk and less accessible construction sites, WorkSafeBC requires that at least one first aid attendant hold a Transportation Endorsement.
This short course teaches workers how to move an injured person safely using stretchers, spine boards, or emergency vehicles without worsening their injuries. It is an essential addition to OFA Level 2 certification for any site where travel to hospital care might take more than 30 minutes.
At Fundamental First Aid, we run Transportation Endorsement courses regularly so your team can stay compliant with the updated regulation.
Why Choose Fundamental First Aid
Construction companies across Vancouver, Burnaby, and Richmond trust Fundamental First Aid because we make compliance simple while keeping training realistic.
- WorkSafeBC-approved courses that meet all provincial standards
- Experienced instructors with backgrounds in emergency response and construction safety
- Hands-on learning that reflects real job-site hazards
- Flexible scheduling for weekdays, evenings, and weekends
- Convenient location near Science World with free parking and easy transit access
- Group bookings available for entire crews or multiple sites
We can also help your safety manager determine exactly what level of first aid coverage your project requires under WorkSafeBC Schedule 3-A.
Common Questions About First Aid Training for Construction Workers
Which course should I take if I work on a small construction site?
If your site is high-risk but has fewer than 10 workers, OFA Level 2 with Transportation Endorsement usually meets WorkSafeBC requirements. Our team can confirm this based on your project details.
What if my site is considered less accessible?
When WorkSafeBC classifies the site as less accessible, and additional first aid coverage (including TE) becomes mandatory.
Examples of Less-Accessible Areas: BCEHS (British Columbia Emergency Health Services) generally won’t reach into the following locations:
- Backcountry spots only accessible by ATVs, snowmobiles, or similar vehicles.
- Areas where access involves steep or slippery slopes or embankments without proper walkways.
- Rough or complex terrain.
- Areas with significant risks like avalanches, landslides, floods, or other natural hazards.
If your workers are reasonably expected to be in places like these, it’s a good idea to treat the site as less-accessible when determining what first aid provisions you’ll need.
Hazardous Work Areas: BCEHS will also not conduct rescues in certain hazardous work locations, such as:
- Confined spaces or areas with a risk of being trapped.
- Underground work sites.
- Excavation zones.
- Areas that can only be reached using ladders, scaffolding, or temporary platforms.
- High-angle work areas or places with a risk of falling.
- Jobs on or over water.
- Spaces that require special protective equipment or where there might be hazardous air conditions.
Workplaces where employees work in these types of hazardous areas should also be considered less-accessible, unless:
- The workplace isn’t remote or otherwise less accessible, AND
- The employer has put alternative plans in place to safely rescue workers, following the requirements of section 4.13 of the Regulation.
Do you offer WorkSafeBC-approved certification?
Yes. Every course at Fundamental First Aid is officially WorkSafeBC-approved and recognized across B.C.
How long is my certification valid?
All OFA Level 2 and 3 certificates are valid for three years before renewal.
Can you train our crew together?
Absolutely. We offer corporate group training at our Glen Drive facility, at a rented venue, or directly at your construction site.
Areas We Serve
We proudly train construction professionals from across the Greater Vancouver Area, including:
- Downtown Vancouver
- Mount Pleasant
- East Vancouver
- Fairview
- Kitsilano
- Commercial Drive
- Burnaby
- Richmond
- North Vancouver
Wherever your project is located, our WorkSafeBC-approved first aid training will help keep your crew compliant and ready.
Book Your First Aid Training for Construction Workers Vancouver
Keep your site compliant and your crew safe with WorkSafeBC-approved first aid training from Fundamental First Aid.
We offer regular OFA Level 2 and OFA Level 3 courses, along with Transportation Endorsement training for high-risk and less accessible construction sites.
Locally owned. WorkSafeBC-approved. Trusted by Vancouver construction crews for professional, practical first aid training.