Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Philippines
If you run or manage a workplace in Philippines — 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 Philippines.
What the law requires in Philippines
How many designated first-aiders?
Every workplace must have at least one designated, certified first-aider. The required number scales with headcount and the establishment's risk level (low, medium, high); establishments with 10–50 workers at medium/high risk and those with 51 or more workers (all risk levels) require first-aiders trained to the 'Standard First Aid + BLS' standard. The first-aider must be trained by a DOLE-recognised organisation.
Philippines governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.
Online theory is permitted; the mandatory hands-on skills assessment (CPR, AED, first aid) is completed in person with a recognized provider — a blended model, standard for the statutory workplace first-aider certificate.
Region specifics
- First-aider certification is explicitly governed by DOLE (D.O. 235-2022): training may only be delivered by DOLE-accredited providers with a TESDA-registered EMS NC program.
- R.A. 11058 also mandates an 8-hour OSH orientation for all workers and safety officers scaled to establishment size, in addition to designated first-aiders.
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 – 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.
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.
Specifically need the "Workplace first aid" certificate?
That specific regulatory certificate must be completed in full with the legislating body: Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) — Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) and Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC).
Strict requirement: since D.O. 235-2022, first-aider certification is explicitly governed by DOLE and only DOLE-accredited providers (with a TESDA-registered EMS program) may train and certify. Our online training is not DOLE-accredited: it CANNOT satisfy the statutory requirement, only prepare/complement the theory ahead of the 32-hour course with an accredited provider.