First Aid Policy (New Zealand)

Under Regulation 11 of the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016, every PCBU (person conducting a business or undertaking) must require that an adequate number of workers are trained in first aid, or that workers have access to an adequate number of people who are trained in first aid. The number of trained first aiders required depends on: the size of the workforce; the nature of the work and the hazards involved; the remoteness of the workplace; and the proximity to emergency medical services. WorkSafe NZ guidance (the 'First Aid in the Workplace' established standards guidelines) provides recommendations by workplace type. For most office environments, a minimum of 1 trained first aider per 25–50 workers is recommended. For high-risk workplaces (construction sites, manufacturing, mining), a higher ratio is required. PCBUs must also require that first aid kits are maintained, accessible, and appropriate for the hazards in the workplace, that workers know where the first aid kit is and how to access first aiders, and that there is a procedure for summoning emergency services. Under the HSWA 2015, failure to provide adequate first aid arrangements can constitute a breach of the primary duty of care and may attract WorkSafe enforcement.

New Zealand recognises several levels of first aid qualification through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) unit standards and industry training frameworks. The main first aid qualifications are: Level 1 First Aid (NZQA Unit Standard 6402 or equivalent) — basic first aid, covering CPR, managing bleeding, and calling for help, typically a 1-day course; workplace first aid (NZQA Unit Standard 26551 and 26552) — more thorough training covering assessment, airway management, injuries, and medical emergencies, typically a 1–2 day course; and advanced first aid for high-risk industries. St John New Zealand (the ambulance charity) and the New Zealand Red Cross are the most widely recognised first aid training providers, offering workplace-focused courses. The Outdoor First Aid (NZQA Unit Standards) qualification is relevant for remote workplaces and outdoor adventure activities. Most first aid certificates require renewal every 2–3 years to remain current. WorkSafe NZ does not mandate a specific NZQA unit standard for workplace first aid — the requirement is for 'adequate' training appropriate to the hazards and risk of the workplace. Employers should review their first aid training requirements when conducting their annual health and safety review.

WorkSafe NZ does not specify a mandatory list of contents for New Zealand workplace first aid kits, but recommends that kits be appropriate for the hazards and size of the workplace. The New Zealand Standard NZS 8140:2001 (Workplace First Aid Kits) provides guidance on the contents of standard workplace first aid kits. A typical New Zealand workplace first aid kit should contain: adhesive dressings (plasters) in various sizes; sterile eye pads; triangular bandages and safety pins; medium and large wound dressings; crepe bandages; disposable gloves (multiple pairs); scissors and tweezers; an instant cold pack; resuscitation (CPR) face shield or pocket mask; burn gel sachets; a first aid manual or instruction card; and a list of emergency contact numbers. For high-risk or remote workplaces, kits should also include: splints, cervical collar, SAM splint, emergency blanket, and tourniquet. First aid kits must be regularly inspected and restocked (at least every 12 months, or sooner if items are used), and the inspection date recorded on the kit. Kits should be stored in accessible, clearly signed locations known to all workers.

Yes. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), a PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers. Providing adequate first aid is a component of this duty, reinforced by Regulation 11 of the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016. If a worker is injured and adequate first aid is not provided — for example, there is no trained first aider available, the first aid kit is inadequate, or first aid procedures are not followed — the PCBU may be found to have breached its duty of care under the HSWA 2015. WorkSafe NZ can investigate the incident, issue improvement or prohibition notices, and prosecute the PCBU for failing to meet the first aid requirements. Penalties under the HSWA 2015 can include fines of up to NZD $1.5 million for bodies corporate and NZD $300,000 for individuals (for category 2 offences — failure to comply with a duty). In addition, under the Accident Compensation Act 2001, a worker injured at the workplace is entitled to ACC compensation for treatment costs and income replacement, but this does not prevent WorkSafe enforcement action for the HSWA breach.

A First Aid Policy (New Zealand) does not legally require a lawyer in New Zealand, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. The Employment Relations Act 2000 does not mandate legal representation for the creation or signing of this type of document. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified New Zealand lawyer is recommended for transactions involving substantial financial value, complex regulatory requirements, or cross-border elements where multiple legal jurisdictions may apply. A lawyer can verify that the document complies with all applicable statutory requirements, identify potential risks specific to the transaction, and confirm that the terms adequately protect the interests of all parties involved. The High Court of New Zealand has jurisdiction over disputes arising from this type of document, and Companies Office may impose additional compliance obligations depending on the nature of the underlying transaction. Professional legal review is particularly advisable where the document will be submitted to government agencies or used as evidence in legal proceedings.