Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR France
If you run or manage a workplace in France — 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 France.
What the law requires in France
How many designated first-aiders?
At least one staff member must be trained as a workplace first-aider (SST) in every workshop carrying out hazardous work and on every site of at least twenty people for more than fifteen days involving hazardous work. Where there is no permanent nurse, the employer takes the necessary measures after consulting the occupational physician. INRS gives an indicative benchmark of 10–15% of the workforce trained (about 1 SST per 10–20 employees).
France governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.
The SST certification includes a practical skills assessment and a competency-maintenance update (MAC) every 24 months; theory may be studied remotely, with the practical still assessed in person.
Region specifics
- SST training is delivered by a body accredited by the occupational-risk health insurance network / INRS, and the certificate is kept valid by a refresher (MAC) every 24 months.
- The workplace first-aider does not replace the company nurse.
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: Ministry of Labour, National Research and Safety Institute (INRS) and the occupational-risk branch of the health insurance fund (CARSAT network).
A non-habilité provider cannot issue the SST certificate: the workplace first-aider must be trained by an INRS-habilité body. A non-accredited online course can only complement, never satisfy the requirement.