Workplace first aid requirements

If you run or manage a workplace in Puerto Rico — 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 Puerto Rico.

What the law requires in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico operates its own occupational safety and health program covering both private and public sector workers.

OSHA does not mandate a delivery mode; its First Aid Best Practices guidance recognizes training with an online component paired with a hands-on skills evaluation.

Region specifics

• Follows federal OSHA: mandatory eye/body flushing facilities where the body may be exposed to corrosive materials (29 CFR 1910.151(c)); ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 as the reference standard for kits.

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.