Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Kenya
If you run or manage a workplace in Kenya — 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 Kenya.
What the law requires in Kenya
How many designated first-aiders?
Number of appointed first-aiders by headcount: fewer than 10 workers → 1; 10 to 20 → 2; 21 to 50 → 3; 51 to 100 → 5; more than 100 → 5 plus 2 additional first-aiders for each further 100 workers.
Kenya governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.
First-aiders must be trained by a DOSHS-approved provider; the regulations do not prescribe the delivery mode, so online theory with a practical assessment is accepted.
Region specifics
- Appointed first-aiders must be trained by a DOSHS-approved provider and be available at all times during working hours.
- A compliant first-aid box and, depending on headcount, a first-aid room must be provided.
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: Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
Regulation 6(2) of Legal Notice No. 79 of 2024 requires the certificate of competence to be issued by a training institution approved by the Director of DOSHS, and Regulation 4(1)(f) requires training by those approved institutions. A provider not approved by DOSHS cannot issue a valid certificate for an appointed first-aider in Kenya — our training complements it.