Appointed Person v
First Aider
There maybe a number of reasons why you have found, and are reading this article on Appointed Person v First Aider. Such a role, is a person that a business, group or other unity assigns to take charge of first aid arrangements, when a qualified first aider is not required. Therefore, perhaps you are here because:
- you have been assigned the role of the Appointed Person, and are curious to your duties.
- you operate a business, group or other unity and are unsure whether you meet your first aid provisions with an appointed person, or need a fully qualified first aider.
We will endevour to answer the most FAQ’s in this article. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, please do contact us, we are more than happy to help. Contact details are at the end of the post.
Where is an Appointed Person used?
Your First Aid Needs Assessment identifies that a trained first aider is not required. In this instance the minimum requirement you are obliged to do is assign an Appointed Person. This person is someone that will take charge of first aid arrangements. If this is the case, it’s likely your business, group or other unity is a small, low-hazard business.
It’s very important to reiterate here, that an Appointed Person does not need to be a qualified First Aider. According to the HSE, their role includes:
- Looking after first aid equipment and facilities. E.g. checking expiry dates, and quantities in the first aid box.
- Calling the emergency services.
They may also be responsible for completing the necessary paperwork unless another person undertakes this role.
Some additional duties may include:
- First Aid Needs Risk Assessments / other safety related risk assessments.
- Ensuring first aid trained staff are on duty during shifts (if the appointed person works in a business where other first aiders are required).
- Overseeing first aiders to ensure their training is renewed in time (as above, if first aiders are required).
Is my Appointed Person enough?
It is important for us to make this very clear. A first aider is a qualified and trained* individual who will take a ‘hands-on’, practical approach when dealing with a sick or injured person. Whereas an appointed person oversees the operation, without being hands-on with the casualty. When put like this, it should be clear to you if an appointed person will suffice? However, we all have different levels of risk perception so for appropriate guidance please refer to the screenshots below, provided by the Health & Safety Executive.
*Training – must involve a face to face perspective, exclusively online first aid training does not qualify an individual as a first aider.
How Many Appointed Persons Do I Need?
An appointed person must always be available whenever people are at work. Therefore, you may have more than 1 appointed person to cover instances of absence, annual leave, sickness, etc. Some operations have both Appointed Persons and First Aiders. In fact, one of the first aiders could be the Appointed Person, but not the other way around unless the Appointed Person is a qualified first aider. Therefore, if the First Aider is on annual leave, the non-qualified Appointed Person cannot replace their role. You would therefore need more than 1 first aider. The appointed person can perform first aid duties, within their abilities in an emergency, e.g. as directed by a 999 call operative, if the qualified first aider is absent for some reason, or perhaps incapacitated themselves.
Does An Appointed Person Need Any Training?
The Appointed person does not have to be certified for them to carryout their role legally. Many training providers do offer various courses which will help them in their role. However, we personally recommend our Ofqual approved, Emergency First Aid at Work course. This course qualifies the Appointed Person as a First Aider too. It only takes a day to complete and is an affordable course. Click this link if you want further information on the differences between first aid courses.
Our reasons for this recommendation are as follows. Although small, low risk environments may not necessary require a trained first aider, there is still a chance an incident or accident could occur. We would recommend a conversation to be had with your Appointed Person as to whether they would like to be first aid trained. Some people we have spoken to feel uncomfortable in the Appointed Person role as they feel they would be expected, and also looked upon, to help in a first aid emergency situation but will have had no training and therefore confidence to do this. If your Appointed Person was also first aid trained, the person ultimately responsible for the H&S in the business, group or unity can rest assured they have gone one step beyond their absolute minimum requirement in terms of first aid provision. The emergency services are also grateful to receive a person whom has been initially cared for by a trained first aider. It may improve their recovery and can possibly save a life.
Thanks for reading our blog post on Appointed Person v First Aider. We hope it has been useful. Please check out our other blogs for more free first aid advice.
Written by Paul Deaves, Managing Director | The Hive Collaborative | hello@hivecollaborative.co.uk
11.08.22. We endevour to keep our blog posts up to date, however, for the very latest information always refer to guidance by the HSE.