Appointed Persons First Aid
Introduction
An "Appointed Person" is appointed by a company or organisation when the employer's 'First Aid Needs Assessment' has determined that a trained first-aider is not necessary.
The appointment of an 'Appointed Person' is the minimum legal requirement of an employer as far as first aid is concerned. The Appointed Person has responsibility to take charge of first aid arrangements.
Specifically the role of an Appointed Person includes ...
- looking after first aid equipment and facilities
- calling the emergency services when required
Appointed persons are not first aiders. They should not give first aid treatment for which they have not been trained. However, it is good practice to ensure that appointed persons have emergency first aid training/refresher training, as appropriate.
An Appointed Person can provide first aid cover, within their role and competence, where a first aider is absent due to unforeseen circumstances. The Health and Safety Executive make it clear though that annual leave does not count as 'unforeseen circumstances'.
Training for an 'Appointed Person' is not required but if they are expected to provide first aid cover at any time then it would be considered necessary. An Appointed Person is not a first-aider and should not attempt to give first aid for which they have not been trained.
2009 Changes to First Aid Training
In October 2009 the Health and Safety Executive made a number of changes to the structure of first aid training in the UK.
The main changes were ...
- to require, by law, that every employer undertakes a 'First Aid Needs Assessment'
- to introduce two HSE regulated first aid training courses for first aiders
- to introduce annual refresher training for first aiders
As a result of the changes the Health and Safety Executive now recognise two first aid training courses for first-aiders ...
Although training is still sensible for anyone taking on the role of an Appointed Person, since 2009 anyone looking to complete an Appointed Persons course would be well advised to undertake the HSE recognised Level 2 Emergency First Aid at Work course instead.
Candidates
This Appointed Persons course is aimed at anyone working within a company or organisation that has identified, through the companies 'First Aid Needs Assessment', that a first-aider is not required.
Content
The Appointed Persons course covers the following ...
- Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations
- Managing an Incident
- The priorities of First Aid
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Treatment of an Unconscious Casualty
- Control of Haemorrhage – Bleeding
- Shock
- Common Workplace Injuries
Course
The Appointed Persons course is delivered over a period of 3 to 6 hours depending on the injuries to be covered. This can be completed in a single day or split over a maximum of 3 weeks, with sessions lasting no less than 2 hours. … but read on …
The Course can be delivered during the day, in the evening or at the weekend. We have no problems fitting in with existing work shift patterns and are happy to teach the course early morning, late evening or overnight if required!
The way in which the course is delivered and the materials used vary dependant on the nature of the group and their existing knowledge of first aid.
The Course can be tailored to reflect your particular industry if delivered as a ‘closed’ course – that is solely to you or your employees.
Individuals are welcome to join an ‘open’ course where participants will be drawn from a wide variety of different sectors.
Assessment
Candidates are assessed by ongoing practical assessment, and oral questioning, throughout the course.
Certification
All successful candidates will be issued with an Appointed Persons First Aid Certificate which is valid for a period of 3 years.
Towards the end of the 3 year period all candidates will need to complete the course again in order to maintain their qualification.
The Health and Safety Executive strongly recommends that the course is refreshed on an annual basis with a CPR Refresher Course.
Entry Requirements
Anyone wishing to complete this qualification must be 16 years of age or above.
It is advised though that candidates have a minimum of Level 1, or equivalent, in literacy or numeracy prior to commencement of the course.
Accessibility
We do everything we can to ensure that our courses are accessible to all. Further details are given on our Accessibility page.
Please Contact Us prior to the start of your course if you feel there is anything that we should be aware of that will assist you in your successful completion of the course.
