What are the requirements for workplaces to have persons qualified in first aid?
Employers must take all practicable steps to develop procedures for dealing with emergencies that may arise while employees are at work. As part of meeting this responsibility, employers must have procedures for ensuring that an injured employee receives first aid and/or medical treatment.
Rapid response is important and all businesses will want to ensure that any injuries or suffering are not made worse by unnecessary delays in treatment.The best way of doing this is to have at least one qualified first aider available in every place of work. If this is not practicable, the employer should make alternative arrangements with local doctors, chemists, ambulance or rescue services, or other local community services that can provide first aid and/or emergency medical treatment.
Small businesses can arrange to share qualified first aiders with neighbouring businesses.
Some work environments have greater risks of injury and illness, due to the nature of the work being performed. It is therefore not practical to lay down any precise ratio of first aid personnel which can be adopted in all workplaces. In order to determine the actual number of qualified first aiders
needed, an assessment should be carried of the risk factors in the workplace.
Refer to the NZQA for a list of training providers
For further information see First Aid for Workplaces - a Good Practice Guide
Date Modified: Friday, 1 June 2012
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and should not be used as a substitute for legislation or legal advice.State sector employers
and employees may be affected by some differences in the laws that apply to them (e.g. State
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