Workplace first aid requirements

If you run or manage a workplace in Indiana — 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 Indiana.

What the law requires in Indiana

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

IOSHA and federal OSHA accept blended training (online coursework plus an in-person hands-on skills demonstration) for workplace first aid and CPR. No ban on online training; online-only theory is discouraged only where practical skills such as CPR cannot be demonstrated.

Region specifics

• IOSHA enforces the standard for both private-sector employers and state/local government workers (full-coverage state plan).
• No statutory minimum number of training hours; a recognized standard first-aid and CPR course typically runs about 6-8 hours.

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.