When temporary cover is arranged for an absent member of staff, the person who normally manages first aid may also be away. Check the site’s first-aid arrangements before the shift starts.
Each employer still needs first-aid arrangements
Regulation 3 of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 requires an employer to provide adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment and facilities for employees. Subject to specified exceptions, the employer must also provide an adequate and appropriate number of suitable people with training and qualifications appropriate to the circumstances. In certain circumstances, the regulation allows an appointed person to take charge instead.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) summarises the basic requirements as a suitably stocked first-aid kit, an appointed person or people to take charge of first-aid arrangements, and information for all employees about those arrangements.
Legal responsibility
A security booking should not be treated as an employer’s first-aid provision. Each employer must decide what is adequate and appropriate for its employees. On a shared or multi-employer site, identify the relevant responsibilities and agree the practical arrangements before the shift. If a particular first-aid qualification is required for the security role, state it in the brief and verify it separately before agreeing cover.
Review the hours that will actually be covered
A daytime arrangement may not suit an evening, overnight or weekend shift. The HSE says employers must consider staff work patterns and absences among first aiders and appointed people when assessing first-aid needs. It also advises them to consider remote or lone workers, proximity to emergency medical services, shared sites and members of the public.
Review who will be working, what work will continue nearby, whether the public will be present and whether the person who usually takes charge will be available throughout the shift. These details may change the site’s arrangements.
Know the difference between an appointed person and a first aider
HSE guidance says an appointed person looks after first-aid equipment and facilities and calls the emergency services when needed. They do not need formal training. An appointed person is not automatically a substitute for a trained first aider where the employer’s assessment shows that trained provision is required.
A first aider has a different role and needs training and qualifications appropriate to the circumstances. Do not assume that temporary security cover will take on either role. Write down what the employer needs, who holds each responsibility and how the security professional fits into the arrangement.
Include first aid in the site briefing
Brief the person covering the security shift on the site’s first-aid arrangements before work begins. Include:
- the name or role of the appointed person or first aider on duty, with a working contact route;
- the location of the first-aid kit and any first-aid room or other designated facility;
- the site’s process for contacting the emergency services;
- the correct site name and address to give to the emergency services;
- who should be told about an illness, injury or first-aid incident; and
- how the site records and hands over relevant information.
Keep the briefing practical. Share sensitive access details only through the site’s approved handover process after the assignment has been confirmed. The separate guide to preparing a site induction for temporary security cover explains what else to cover before work begins.
A practical pre-shift checklist based on HSE guidance
These are practical briefing steps, not a verbatim list of statutory requirements.
- Check that the first-aid needs assessment covers the planned date and hours.
- Allow for the absence of regular first aiders and appointed people.
- Confirm who takes charge of the arrangements during the shift.
- Check that the first-aid kit and any facilities are available and accessible.
- State any required first-aid qualification in the security brief and verify it separately.
- Provide the emergency contact and incident-reporting process.
- Brief the security professional on relevant site arrangements before the shift starts.
Although the HSE does not require employers to write down their findings, a written record shows how they decided on their first-aid arrangements and can make a temporary handover clearer.
Sources and further reading
- The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, regulation 3
- HSE: First aid in work overview
- HSE: Assess your first aid needs
- HSE: Appoint someone to take charge of first aid
Discuss your security cover requirements
NJProtection & Security Services provides flexible security cover across West Yorkshire. Include the date, hours, location, required duties and any first-aid requirement in your enquiry. Any required qualification must be checked before a commitment is made.