Appointed person
A person designated by an employer to take charge when someone is injured or falls ill, including calling the emergency services. An appointed person is not a trained first aider but must be available when a first aider is absent.
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“appointed person”Exact equivalentThe Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 allow employers to appoint a person to take charge of the situation when a first aider is absent. An appointed person is not required to hold a first aid at work qualification, but must be able to call emergency services and take charge. An appointed person is not a substitute for a first aider where a risk assessment determines one is needed.
Irish HSA
“appointed person”Close equivalentThe General Application Regulations 2007 (Part 7, Chapter 2) require employers to designate workers to apply first aid measures. Not all designated persons are required to hold an occupational first aid certificate; an appointed person may perform a more limited role in lower-risk settings.
US OSHA
“designated first aid provider”Close equivalentOSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 requires a person adequately trained to render first aid where medical personnel are not in close proximity. No formal distinction between levels of first aid provider is made in OSHA regulations; the training standard is determined by the consulting physician.
Practitioner note: Appointed person takes charge when a first aider is absent and calls emergency services. They are NOT a substitute for a trained first aider where the risk assessment determines one is needed.