Ministry Of Labour Inspections and Fines Are Coming Starting January 2025!

Don’t get caught unprepared! Regulation 1101 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires all businesses in Ontario to have at least 1 person certified in First Aid on shift at all times. This applies to every type of physical in-person business, including office spaces, construction sites, restaurants, realtors, and more.

The Ministry of Labour has announced health and safety initiatives and campaigns outlined in a 5 year plan, designed to increase awareness of workplace hazards and ensure compliance with OHSA. Part of this plan includes “focused inspections” to ensure workplace compliance with regulatory requirements, including first aid certifications. This means that your workplace could be targeted as part of these upcoming inspections - and hefty fines issued for supervisors and corporations that are non-compliant. Don’t get caught unprepared! The easiest way to keep your staff, and company, safe is to get your employees First Aid trained ASAP.

The Scariest Thing this Knight has ever seen…

Many years ago, I was working at a pirate themed dinner theatre stunt show when a dire emergency occurred, mid-performance. I was fully immersed in character, speaking with customers in an Australian accent, when a panicked parent came running up to me and shoved a distressed child into my arms while shouting, “She’s choking!” The child was clearly choking, turning blue and struggling to breathe. As I rapidly assessed the scene, I realized I had stumbled into the midst of a small crowd of concerned customers and staff who had gathered, none of them sure what to do. My First Aid instincts kicked in and without without losing my Australian accent, I held this little girl in my arms and began abdominal thrusts. Within moments the child had coughed up the piece of chicken and was safely back with her parents. I continued on as a pirate, not fully grasping the seriousness of this encounter until much later.

While the child with an obstructed airway was terrifying, the scarier thought was the realization of how few people in the building had been trained on basic First Aid skills. In hindsight, it was clear the parents had attempted to get help from several of my co-workers, and surrounding patrons to help, but no one knew what to do. The parents knew the situation called for a lifesaving technique, but had no idea how to perform it. Just like CPR, clearing an obstructed airway requires firsthand knowledge, not just a vague understanding. Had I not happened on the scene when I did, the poor child may not have recovered. What an absolutely horrifying thought, and I could feel the powerlessness felt by the parents as they stood by helplessly watching their child struggle to breathe.

Experiences like this have solidified our belief that First Aid and CPR training is not optional. It could save a life one day, and you never know when you will be called on to be the hero - even as a pirate. Please contact us to get certified.

- Joshua Knowles, Co-Founder & Co-President