Workplace first aid requirements
First Aid & CPR Malaysia
If you run or manage a workplace in Malaysia — 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 Malaysia.
What the law requires in Malaysia
How many designated first-aiders?
Per DOSH guidelines, at least 1 first-aider per 50 employees in low-risk environments and at least 1 per 20 employees in high-risk environments. Trained first-aiders must be available during all working hours and on every shift. In addition, provide 1 first aid box per 25–50 workers.
Malaysia governs occupational health and safety through national legislation that requires employers to provide first aid in the workplace.
Online theory is permitted; the mandatory hands-on skills assessment (CPR, AED, first aid) is completed in person with a recognized provider — a blended model, standard for the statutory workplace first-aider certificate.
Region specifics
- Shift coverage is non-negotiable: a factory running two or three shifts must have trained first-aiders present on every shift.
- Factories are additionally governed by the Factories and Machinery Regulations 1970, which specify first aid facilities for industrial environments.
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: Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH / Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan, JKKP), Ministry of Human Resources.
Recognition requirement: the first-aider must hold a certificate from a body whose course is recognised by DOSH and whose trainers are approved by the Director General of DOSH. There is no longer a closed list of licensed centres, but DOSH recognition is still required. Our online training is not DOSH-recognised: it CANNOT satisfy the requirement on its own, only prepare/complement the theory ahead of the practical assessment with a recognised body.