What First Aid Do You Need To Provide in New Zealand Workplaces?

There is nothing specific in the Health and Safety Act detailing first aid requirements for New Zealand workplaces. But then that’s the way the Act is written generally anyway, because it talks about meeting the intent of a safe workplace. 

However, there are regulations that provide more directed requirements of the first aid equipment that should be provided. Under the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995 employers are required to take all practicable steps to ensure:

·         first aid facilities are provided at every place of work under the control of the employer

·         the facilities are suitable for the purpose for which they are used

·         the facilities are provided in sufficient numbers

·         the facilities are maintained in good order and condition

·         all employees have access to these facilities in a way that is convenient to them.

The relevant regulations are:

·         regulation 4(2)(d), to be read in conjunction with regulation 7.

So, you do need to provide some kind of first aid facilities and/or equipment, which need to be appropriate to your workplace. For example, first aid in an office environment is completely different to that on an Oil rig. So unfortunately I can’t answer the question directly, other than provide this link for you to work through and determine the first aid requirements for your workplace. First aid should be included under emergency management of an integrated and complete OSH system.