Workplace First Aid – A Plain English Guide
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Last updated: October 2026
WorkSafe NZ – Workplace First Aid
Understanding workplace first aid requirements and best practices in New Zealand
Providing suitable first aid equipment is an important part of workplace health and safety.
Under New Zealand's health and safety legislation, businesses must ensure workers have access to appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and trained first aiders.
The requirements depend on the workplace environment, the number of workers, the hazards involved and the nature of the work being undertaken.
What Does WorkSafe Require?
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) establishes general workplace health and safety responsibilities.
More specific first aid requirements are set out in Regulation 13 of the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016.
Businesses must ensure:
Adequate first aid equipment is provided and accessible.
Workers have access to appropriate first aid facilities.
An adequate number of trained first aiders are available, or workers have access to an adequate number of other trained people.
These arrangements must be appropriate for the workplace and the risks involved.
→ Read Regulation 13 – First Aid
What Are the Minimum First Aid Kit Requirements?
New Zealand legislation does not prescribe one standard first aid kit size or a universal list of contents for every workplace.
Instead, businesses must provide equipment appropriate to their workplace hazards, workforce and operating environment.
WorkSafe guidance recommends that workplaces have at least one suitably stocked first aid kit, with additional equipment where necessary.
A basic workplace kit may include dressings, bandages, adhesive plasters, gloves, wound-cleaning supplies and other items appropriate to the identified risks.
The important consideration is whether the equipment provided is adequate for the injuries that could reasonably occur.
How Do Workplace Environments Affect First Aid Requirements?
Different working environments present different levels of risk.
Offices and Retail - Generally lower-risk environments where first aid equipment may primarily be used for minor cuts, abrasions and everyday injuries.
Workshops and Factories - May require additional supplies for cuts, burns, eye injuries and other hazards associated with machinery, tools and production activities.
Construction Sites - Changing work areas, equipment and activities can create additional risks. First aid arrangements should reflect the hazards, number of workers and accessibility of equipment.
Vehicles and Mobile Workers - Workers travelling between locations may require portable first aid kits, particularly where immediate access to workplace facilities is unavailable.
Remote Workplaces - Additional equipment, trained personnel and emergency communication arrangements may be necessary where professional medical assistance could be delayed.
A workplace risk assessment should determine the appropriate first aid arrangements.
What Size First Aid Kit Does a Business Need?
Commercial first aid kits are commonly offered in categories such as 1–25 persons and 25–50 persons.
These classifications provide a useful guide when selecting equipment, but they are not fixed legal requirements under HSWA.
A business with 10 workers operating machinery may require more specialised first aid supplies than an office employing 25 people.
Larger premises, multiple floors, separate buildings or mobile work teams may also require additional kits.
Kit selection should be based on workplace risks, accessibility and workforce needs rather than employee numbers alone.
How Often Should First Aid Kits Be Checked?
WorkSafe guidance recommends checking first aid kits to ensure they contain the required supplies at least once every 12 months.
Used or missing items should be replaced as soon as practicable.
Businesses should also consider whether more frequent checks are appropriate for their workplace.
For example:
3-monthly: Higher-use or higher-risk environments, including some construction workplaces.
6-monthly: Workshops, factories and workplaces with moderate first aid usage.
12-monthly: Lower-risk offices and similar environments.
These are examples of risk-based inspection schedules and should not be confused with mandatory legal inspection intervals.
What Is Considered Best Practice?
Best practice involves more than simply having a first aid kit available.
Businesses should consider:
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Ensuring kits are clearly identified and easily accessible.
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Keeping contents suitable for workplace hazards.
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Monitoring expiry dates and sterile packaging.
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Replacing used, damaged or missing supplies promptly.
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Keeping kits clean and protected from contamination.
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Maintaining appropriate inspection and replenishment records.
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Reviewing first aid arrangements when workplace risks change.
Where kits are fitted with tamper-evident seals, a broken seal can provide a useful indication that contents may have been accessed.
However, an intact seal does not replace the need for appropriate periodic checks and expiry-date management.
Who Is Responsible for Maintaining Workplace First Aid Kits?
The Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has responsibility for ensuring suitable workplace first aid arrangements are maintained.
This includes ensuring equipment remains available, accessible and appropriate for the workplace.
A business may appoint a staff member or engage an external provider to manage kit inspections and replenishment.
However, engaging an external provider does not remove the PCBU's underlying health and safety duties.
Why Are First Aid Inspection Records Important?
Inspection and servicing records can help businesses demonstrate that first aid equipment is being actively maintained.
Records may include inspection dates, kit locations, expired or damaged supplies, replenishment activities and scheduled servicing.
Although there is no universal legal requirement for a particular first aid kit inspection record format, appropriate documentation supports good workplace health and safety management.
Do You Really Have Time to Check Every First Aid Kit?
Checking kit contents, monitoring expiry dates, replacing used supplies and maintaining records can become time-consuming, particularly for businesses operating multiple kits or locations.
A managed first aid kit exchange system can provide an alternative approach to organising scheduled servicing and replenishment.
Swap-A-Kit, part of NZ Test Group, offers a practical kit exchange solution designed to simplify workplace first aid kit management.
Where Can I Find Official First Aid Information?
For further information about workplace first aid requirements and health and safety responsibilities, refer to the following resources.
WorkSafe New Zealand – Official workplace health and safety guidance.
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – New Zealand's primary workplace health and safety legislation.
Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 – Including Regulation 13 relating to first aid.
For a broader explanation of workplace health and safety responsibilities, see our main guide:
→ WorkSafe NZ – A Plain English Guide
Need Help With Workplace First Aid Kit Management?
Swap-A-Kit – Workplace First Aid Kit Solutions
Through Swap-A-Kit, NZ Test Group provides managed workplace first aid kit exchange and replenishment solutions.
Our approach helps businesses maintain suitable first aid supplies while reducing the time involved in routine kit management.
If you're unsure about your workplace first aid kit requirements or would like a simpler way to manage inspections, replenishment and servicing, talk to our team.