Workplace first aid requirements

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

What the law requires in Michigan

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

MIOSHA 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

• MIOSHA maintains its own General Industry standard (Part 472) rather than adopting the federal text verbatim.
• The state plan covers private employers and state/local government workers (full coverage).
• 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.