Appointed person role

When assessing the need for first aid personnel you might decide that one or more staff should take charge during an emergency, but that first aid training isn’t necessary. Use our document to explain what’s required.

First response

Under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, employers must ensure there are sufficient personnel to manage any injuries and medical incidents that may occur.

In some circumstances you might decide that an appointed person (AP) will be on duty, i.e. someone without formal training but with the knowledge to manage a medical emergency.

You may determine that an AP is needed because your business only presents a low risk, e.g. an office environment with fewer than 25 employees and is close to an accident and emergency department. Or it might be that your site carries a higher risk of injury but has fewer than five employees. Another scenario would be that you have one or more trained first aiders but you are appointing an AP to cover for unforeseen absences.

Our Appointed Person Role document is designed to be passed to the individual taking this role, explaining the procedure to be followed by such staff after minor injuries and during medical emergencies. Use it to explain the background knowledge required and the boundaries of the role.