First aider, designated person or EHBO: who is who?

At work you hear all kinds of words: EHBO'er, first aider, designated person, member of the intervention team. So who is what? For every first aider at work, Belgian law sets a clear rule. Here is an overview, without legal jargon.

The first aider according to the Code

The Belgian Code on well-being at work covers first aid in Book I, Title 5 "First aid". It refers to first aiders (hulpverleners): employees who completed basic training of at least 15 hours and receive refresher training every year.

"EHBO'er" is the everyday Dutch word. In the law, the term is simply first aider. Want to know what that basic training contains? Read Basic first aider training: what does the law say?.

Who decides how many first aiders, and which kind?

In companies in groups A, B and C, the employer decides, after advice from the occupational physician (prevention advisor) and the Committee, on the number and qualification of the people who give first aid (art. I.5-6). These can be:

• nurses;
• first aiders;
• first aiders with specific knowledge of the company's risks;
• other designated employees.

There is no fixed formula for the exact number. See How many first aiders does my company need?.

The designated first aid person in small companies

Group D covers companies with fewer than 20 employees where the employer acts as prevention advisor. There, the employer, or one or more designated employees, may give first aid.

This designated person receives at least the information needed to:

• use the first aid kit;
• alert the emergency services.

Basic training is recommended for them, but not strictly required. Anyone who does take it will of course be far better prepared when something goes wrong.

Other roles that are often confused

Besides the first aider, you often hear about two other roles:

• Introduction to life-saving skills: a short course for colleagues who will not become full first aiders. It does not lead to a first aider certificate. See Introduction to life-saving skills: who is it for?.
• The first intervention team for fire and evacuation. This falls under different legislation (Code, Book III, Title 3). Read First intervention team: required for every employer.

In practice the same people often take on both roles. Legally, however, they are two different tasks.

First aid during all working hours

One rule applies to everyone: first aid must be available during all working hours, including shift work and night work. A single first aider who only works days is not enough if people also work at night.

So when you designate first aiders, think about:

• every shift and every schedule;
• holidays and sickness;
• every location where people work.

Support in the moment

A well-trained first aider remains the foundation. Visual action cards on the wall help them, and every colleague, to take the right steps in the right order under stress.

You can follow this training at P12 Training, a recognised training centre (included on the list of the FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue). In Dutch, French or English, on site at your premises. Request a quote.

Source: FPS Employment – First aid (NL)