First Aid and Safety
WorkSafeBC (WSBC)
As of July 1, 2018, all WorkSafeBC first aid courses have updated curricula and equipment. The deadline for companies to have their equipment updated has not yet been announced by WorkSafeBC.
In B.C., workplace first aid attendants must have a certificate that's recognized by WorkSafeBC. The level of first aid services required for a workplace depends on the number of workers, distance to medical aid, and industry hazard rating. Thompson Rivers University is an authorized provider of the following first aid training programs under WorkSafeBC to certify attendants who complete the programs:
| OFA Level 1 | Basic level first aid training and certification |
| OFA Level 2 | Intermediate-level first aid training and certification |
| OFA Transportation Endorsement | Training required for transportation of injured workers as required by Schedule 3-A |
| OFA Level 3 | Advanced level of first aid training and certification |
XOCH 0882 - Red Cross Babysitting & First Aid
Babysitting offers basic first aid and caregiving skills for youth 11–15 years old. Participants learn how to provide care to children in a variety of age groups, and how to prevent and respond to emergencies. The course offers youth the skills to promote themselves as babysitters to prospective families.
Course content includes:
- How to be responsible and demonstrate leadership
- How to make good decisions and manage difficult behaviors
- Information on children’s developmental stages, and specific strategies for each step
- How to feed, diaper, dress, and play with children and babies
- How to recognize and prevent unsafe situations, make safe choices and promote safe behaviors
- First aid skills
- The business of babysitting
Prerequisite: Minimum 11 years of age (or completion of Grade 5)
Date: TBD
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Course Duration: 6 classroom learning hours
Course Fee: $125
XOCH 0850 - Foodsafe
This sanitation program is appropriate for food handlers, kitchen staff, and dining room attendants. You will learn about the purchase and storage of potentially hazardous foods, personal hygiene, the causes of food-borne diseases, and maintaining a sanitary food service operation.
Date: TBD Course Duration: 7.5 classroom learning hours Course Fee: $139XOCH 0800 - WorkSafeBC Occupational First Aid Level 1
You will learn the priority action approach to provide lifesaving first aid enabling you to keep your co-worker or yourself alive until help arrives. Skills include primary survey, management of obstructed airway, one-person CPR with AED, shock and bleeding management, as well as how to treat minor wounds. No previous first aid training is required. Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a three-year certificate. The minimum age limit is 16 years of age. Students must provide a picture ID at the start of class. Acceptable photo identification includes a driver's license, student card, recreation center pass, BCID, or passport.
Date: March 21, 2024
Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Course Duration: 8 classroom learning hours
Course Fee: $165 (includes student manual and pocket mask)
Transportation Endorsement • XOCH 0780
This WorkSafeBC course provides Occupational First Aid, Level 1 and 2 certificate holders with the required training to move injured workers. The curriculum includes:
- Patient handling and lifting techniques
- Use of the spine board and basket stretchers
- Spinal immobilization techniques
- Patient assessment and treatment during transport
- Critical interventions
- Transportation method
Upon successful completion, you will receive a Transportation endorsement certificate. This certificate expires with the Occupational First Aid Level 1 or 2 certificates.
A transportation endorsement ticket is required in any Class A hazard job that is located more than 20 minutes of surface travel from a hospital when the crew size is two to 10 workers.
Prerequisite: A valid Occupational First Aid Level 1 or 2 certificate. Candidates must be at least 16 years of age. Please bring Occupational First Aid, Level 1 or Level 2 certificate, and photo ID to class.
Date: March 22, 2024
Course Duration: 8 classroom learning hours
Course Fee: $165 (includes student manual and pocket mask)
XOCH 0820 - WorkSafeBC Occupational First Aid Level 3
OFA Level 3 courses are offered to qualified candidates for certification by WorkSafeBC as first aid attendants in the industry. TRU provides instruction in both the theory and practice of first aid. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older and have at least Grade 10 reading comprehension skills. Students must bring a photo ID to class. Acceptable photo identification includes a driver's license, student card, recreation center pass, BCID, or passport. OFA Level 3 requires 70 hours of class time plus at least 35 hours of homework in the two-week course. Upon confirmation of registration, you will receive a handout of pre-reading assignments and exercises that must be done before the first class.
Course Duration: 80 classroom learning hours
Course Fee: $1,295 (includes books and pocket mask)
XOCH 0720 - Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
The Pipeline Construction Safety Training course is designed to help the pipeline worker know how to respond to worksite health and safety issues by taking the worker through the entire pipeline construction process from beginning to end. Successful completion provides a 5-year certification.
Course Duration: 4 online learning hours
Course Fee: $100
XOCH 0860 - WHMIS Global Harmonized Standard (GHS)
This industry-recognized WHMIS online training course is for initial or re-certification training. This course meets all of Health Canada’s training requirements under the Hazardous Products Regulations for all persons involved in handling workplace chemicals.
WHMIS GHS Online (formerly known as WHMIS 2015) centers around 5 WHMIS stories that bring in real-life events, told by real people in real workplaces. The video, animations, engaging games, and skill-building exercises will make for an engaging interactive learning experience. Our course centers on elements that ensure the information is understood, retained, and easily resourced.
A final exam to complete the course and a printable certificate along with a shareable Digital Badge are issued upon completion. Free printable resources are included such as our WHMIS sample label, poster, sample SDS, glossary, and a workplace exercise sheet for additional training.
Course Duration: 1.5 online learning hours
Course Fee: $65
XWRK 0592 - Ground Disturbance Supervisor Training – ABCGA Endorsed
This online program was built on the success and content of the current Global Training Centre Ground Disturbance Level II® standardized program. In our opinion, this online program provides all the content of the Ground Disturbance Level II® plus the benefit of some additional information. We are confident that upon assessment by your company, this online program would be deemed equivalent in content. It is designed for any party that is supervising a ground disturbance, independently performing a ground disturbance, or issuing and receiving ground disturbance permits.
The program ensures that personnel is familiar with, and fully understand, all the regulations and variances involved when a ground disturbance takes place. This course is presented in a logical sequence – from the pre-planning stage to the close-out, all with a focus on damage prevention. Participants learn how to clarify sources when searching for underground facilities, provide notification to the facility owner, and receive owner notification. Participants gain an understanding of the necessary approvals/crossing agreements and regulations necessary before creating a ground disturbance. They gain an understanding of line locating, including the use of electromagnetic equipment, and learn about types of exposure.
Participants will also learn how to do a back-fill inspection, as well as how to use permits and conduct pre-job meetings. Emergency response plans and what to do in case an underground facility is contacted are also covered. The practical exercise in the final module takes the participant through the process of building a ground disturbance checklist, using the knowledge gained within the course. Course content includes animated scenarios, expert character guideposts, interactive learning exercises, competency quiz questions, a full glossary and toolbox of regulations, codes, guides, downloadable sample documents, and a defensible final exam.
Upon successful completion, students will be issued a training certificate valid for three (3) years.
Course Duration: 6 online learning hours
Course Fee: $165 (Alberta Jurisdiction)Course Fee: $195 (British Columbia Jurisdiction)
XWRK 0600 - Lockout/Tagout Awareness
This new mobile-responsive eLearning course uses a scroll-down interactive design, where the learner moves at their own pace. The goals of this course are to:
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Develop an understanding of the purpose and importance of Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) procedures
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Generate learner knowledge regarding LOTO procedures and employee responsibilities.
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Prepare workers with the knowledge necessary for effective and safety-conscious decision-making.
Course Duration: .5 online learning hours
Course Fee: $60
XDRV 0520 - Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
This course is ideal for shippers, receivers, and drivers. It contains interactive elements such as video, animations, games, and skill-building exercises which will engage the adult learner and make for an interesting and educational learning experience.
Learners write a final exam to complete the course, and once they have done so a printable certificate along with a Digital Badge is issued. Free printable resources are included such as our TDG class guide, placarding guide, emergency reporting documents, and phone numbers. TDG certification is valid for 3 years upon completion and is non-transferable.
Course Duration: 3 online learning hours
Course Fee: $80
XFLG 0610 - Traffic Control Person (TCP)
This comprehensive, two-day standardized course for Traffic Control Persons (TCPs) consists of classroom and practical training and is the only program of its kind accepted by WorkSafeBC under Section 18 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations for high-risk traffic control.
This two-day training session is designed to qualify those who work as high-risk TCPs throughout BC.
You will learn:
- Roles and responsibilities of TCPs, employers, and supervisors
- Regulations and standards, including those set out by the Ministry of Transportation, WorkSafeBC, and the Motor Vehicle Act
- Traffic control equipment and devices, including personal protective equipment
- Setting up, maintaining, and removing work zones
- Working around equipment
- Basic and advanced traffic control skills
To complete the course, you must pass the written exam with a minimum mark of 80% and the practical evaluation with 100%. Records of completion are provided by the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) and are valid for three years. The BCCSA is the WorkSafeBC-approved certifier of all high-risk traffic control persons in BC.
Course Duration: 12 classroom and 4 practical learning hours
Course Fee: $465
XFOR 0980 - Fire Suppression S100/185
This two-day course includes an introduction to fire behavior, entrapment (S-185), suppression, tools and equipment, fire line safety, water delivery systems, and WHIMS, as well as a practical portion and exam. Students must demonstrate safe working skills, proper care, proper use of equipment, and the ability to physically complete field exercises.
Requirements;
-Hardhat
-Eye protection
-Hearing protection
-Leather work gloves
-Steel-toed work boots
-Suitable work clothing, preferably (but not mandatory) natural fibers and flame-resistant pants and long-sleeved shirt and coveralls
-Rain jacket and other weather-appropriate clothing
-Picture ID
-Students are responsible for their transportation to and from the field location ( location TBD)
Dates: TBD
Times: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Fee: $415
