BC WorkSafeBC Dressing Stations
Employers are responsible for ensuring their workplace has the required first aid equipment, supplies, facilities, and attendants to treat workers if they are injured on the job. A dedicated dressing station requires specific supplies to meet WorkSafeBC regulations.
Not sure about the facility requirements? Scroll down to our BC Dressing Station FAQ at the bottom of this page to find guidance on workforce numbers, travel time rules, minimum sizing, and supplemental equipment.
Requirement Matrix: Dressing Station Contents
Note that all first aid kit contents should be made of latex-free materials. Sizes given here are approximate, as exact sizing varies by supplier.
| Description | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Blankets, woolen or similar | 3 |
| Refuse pail with lid | 1 |
| Bifocal magnifier with head strap, 12.5 cm focus | 1 |
| Eye cup | 1 |
| Bandage scissors, stainless steel (with angled, blunt tip), minimum 14 cm (5.5 in) | 1 |
| Splinter forceps or tweezers, fine point, stainless steel, minimum 11.4 cm (4.5 in.) | 1 |
| Penlight or flashlight | 1 |
| Antiseptic wound cleansing towelette, individually wrapped | 24 |
| Liquid soap, 150 mL | 1 |
| Cold packs or equivalent | 2 |
| Sterile adhesive dressing, assorted sizes, individually packaged | 100 |
| Sterile skin closures, individually packaged | 24 |
| Abdominal pad, sterile, individually wrapped, 20 x 25 cm (8 x 10 in.) | 6 |
| Abdominal pad, sterile, individually wrapped, 30 x 40 cm (12 x 16 in.) | 3 |
| Gauze sponges, 7.5 x 7.5 cm (3 x 3 in.) | 100 |
| Conforming stretch bandage, relaxed length, individually wrapped 5.1 cm x 1.8 m (2 in. x 2 yd). | 2 rolls |
| Conforming stretch bandage, relaxed length, individually wrapped, 7.6 cm x 1.8 m (3 in. x 2 yd.) | 4 rolls |
| Gauze dressing, sterile, individually wrapped, 7.5 x 7.5 cm (3 x 3 in.) | 24 |
| Gauze dressing, sterile, individually wrapped, 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in.) | 24 |
| Compress/pressure dressing with ties, sterile, 15.2 x 15.2 cm (6 x 6 in.) | 2 |
| Adhesive crepe bandage 7.5 cm x 4.5 n (3 in. x 5 yd.) | 1 roll |
| Adhesive tape, 2.5 cm x 2.3 m (1 in. x 2.5 yd.) | 4 rolls |
| Triangular bandage, cotton, with 2 safety pins, 101.6 x 101.6 x 142.2 cm (40 x 40 x 56 in.) | 6 |
| Splint: padded, malleable, minimum size 10.2 x 61 cm (4 x 24 in.) | 1 |
| Tubular finger bandage with applicator, 1.6 cm x 4.5 m (5/8 in x 5 yd.) | 1 |
| Kidney basin | 1 |
| Wash basin | 1 |
| Cold instrument sterilizer with supply of non-rusting germicidal solution | 1 |
| Chair suitable for treating injured workers (with a non-porous surface or covered with non-porous material) | 1 |
Dressing Station Compliance FAQ
Which businesses are required to have a dressing station in BC?
Under the updated WorkSafeBC Schedule 3-A (effective November 2024), the requirement for a dressing station depends on your workplace hazard rating, the number of workers per shift, and site accessibility. Assuming you operate a standard "Class 1" workplace (readily accessible and less than 30 minutes from an ambulance station), a dressing station is required if you have:
- Low Hazard rating: 100 or more workers per shift.
- Moderate Hazard rating: 50 or more workers per shift.
- High Hazard rating: 20 or more workers per shift.
If your worksite is considered "remote" or "less accessible" (Classes 2, 3, or 4), these worker thresholds are significantly lower.
How do travel time and site accessibility affect my first aid requirements?
The rules recently changed! Under the new regulations, requirements are no longer based on a 20-minute travel time to a hospital. Instead, your workplace falls into one of four classes based on "remoteness" and "accessibility":
- Remote: A worksite that is more than 30 minutes of surface travel time from the nearest BC ambulance station.
- Less Accessible: A worksite that an ambulance cannot easily reach (e.g., requires ATV access, involves steep embankments, or has hazards like confined spaces or high-angle work).
If your site triggers either of these conditions, you will need a higher level of first aid kits and facilities for fewer workers.
How do I determine my BC workplace Hazard Rating?
WorkSafeBC assigns a hazard rating—Low, Moderate, or High—to every business based on its Classification Unit (CU). You can find your specific hazard rating on your annual assessment rate letter from WorkSafeBC or by searching for your industry on their website. This rating, along with your workforce size and site class, dictates the level of first aid kits and facilities you are legally required to have.
What are the physical facility requirements for a dressing station?
A dressing station must be at least 4.2 square metres (48 sq. ft.). It must be kept clean, dry, and accessible at any time workers may need first aid, with proper lighting, ventilation, and heating. It must also have a sink with hot and cold running water, or another system for providing warm and cold potable (drinkable) water.
What should be done if our main first aid kits are not near the dressing station?
Where first aid kits are not readily accessible to the dressing station, additional PPE for first aid attendants and an additional CPR pocket mask with one-way valve should be kept in the dressing station.
Where can I view the complete WorkSafeBC lists and guidelines?
For the full, detailed breakdown directly from the source, you can review the official document: WorkSafeBC First Aid Equipment, Supplies, and Facilities (PDF).
Can I reorder individual supplies to restock my dressing station?
Yes. We offer individual replacement items to ensure your dressing station remains fully compliant and ready for use.