A first aider is an employee trained and appointed to give immediate care to anyone injured or taken ill at work. In South Africa this is a statutory appointment: the General Safety Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act require employers to provide first aid capability where the workforce reaches a set size.
This guide sets out first aider duties and responsibilities in practical terms. It sits in the Security and safety duties and responsibilities cluster, part of the wider job duties guide. It is general information and not medical or legal advice.
What Does a First Aider Do?
A first aider responds to injuries and medical emergencies at the workplace, gives immediate care within the limits of their training, summons emergency services when needed, and records what happened. For most first aiders this sits on top of a normal job rather than replacing it.
The boundary of the role matters. A first aider is not a medical practitioner and should not diagnose, prescribe or treat beyond their certificate level. The duty is to preserve life, prevent the condition worsening and promote recovery until qualified help arrives, then hand over cleanly.
Between incidents the role is largely preventive: checking that the first aid box is stocked and in date, that the equipment is accessible, and that the appointment and certificate remain valid.
Key First Aider Duties and Responsibilities
- Responding immediately to injuries and medical emergencies on site.
- Assessing the scene for danger before approaching a casualty.
- Giving first aid within the limits of the certificate held.
- Calling emergency services and directing them to the casualty.
- Handing over clearly to paramedics or medical staff on arrival.
- Recording every incident and the treatment given in the first aid register.
- Checking and restocking first aid boxes and replacing expired items.
- Checking that emergency equipment such as eyewash and stretchers is usable.
- Reporting injuries to the employer for injury on duty and COIDA purposes.
- Maintaining confidentiality about casualties’ medical information.
- Applying infection control precautions, including gloves and safe waste disposal.
- Keeping the first aid certificate current and attending refresher training.
Daily Tasks of a First Aider
- Routine: carry out normal duties while remaining contactable and available to respond.
- Weekly or monthly: check first aid box contents, expiry dates and equipment condition.
- On an incident: assess danger, treat within scope, summon help and stay with the casualty.
- After an incident: complete the register, report to the employer and restock what was used.
- Periodically: take part in emergency drills and refresher training.
First Aider Skills and Competencies
- Composure: acting calmly while others are panicking.
- Scene assessment: not becoming a second casualty by rushing in.
- Practical technique: CPR, bleeding control, burns and recovery position done correctly.
- Knowing your limits: stopping where the certificate stops.
- Record keeping: accurate entries, because they matter for a COIDA claim.
- Discretion: keeping a colleague’s medical information private.
First Aider Duties by Workplace or Industry
Offices and Retail
Incidents are less frequent and tend to involve slips, falls, fainting and medical events, so readiness and knowing the emergency procedure matter more than volume of practice.
Factories and Warehouses
Duties involve machinery injuries, crush and cut wounds, chemical exposure and burns, with first aiders appointed per shift and per area.
Construction Sites
Higher risk means more first aiders, more equipment and closer coordination with the site safety officer, with falls, lacerations and heat exposure the common presentations.
Schools and Public Venues
Duties extend to children and members of the public, which brings in consent, parental or guardian notification and clear escalation procedures.
First Aider Duties for a CV
State the level of your certificate and the appointment you held. Use the duties for a CV guide for the method.
- Appointed first aider for a site of 220 employees, holding a valid Level 2 certificate.
- Responded to workplace incidents and maintained the first aid register.
- Conducted monthly first aid box inspections and managed restocking.
- Participated in emergency evacuation drills and annual refresher training.
Related Job Roles and Responsibilities
These guides cover the roles and next steps most closely related to this one.
- Safety Officer duties and responsibilities
- Safety Representative duties and responsibilities
- SHE Representative duties and responsibilities
- Security Officer duties and responsibilities
- Security and safety duties
Frequently Asked Questions About First Aider Duties
What are the duties of a first aider?
Responding to injuries and medical emergencies, assessing the scene for danger, giving first aid within the level of training held, calling emergency services, handing over to paramedics, recording incidents in the first aid register, checking and restocking first aid boxes, reporting injuries for COIDA purposes and keeping the certificate current.
Is a workplace required to have a first aider?
The General Safety Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act require employers to provide first aid boxes and, once the number of employees at a workplace reaches the prescribed threshold, trained first aiders. Confirm the current thresholds and requirements with the Department of Employment and Labour.
Can a first aider be held liable?
A first aider acting reasonably and within the scope of their training is in a very different position from one acting beyond it. Liability depends on the facts, so take legal advice on any specific concern and never treat beyond your certificate.
How long is a first aid certificate valid?
First aid certificates are typically issued for a limited period and require refresher training to remain valid. Validity periods depend on the training provider and the level of the certificate, so confirm with your provider and your employer.
This page is general information and not medical or legal advice. The Occupational Health and Safety Act, its regulations and your employer’s emergency procedures govern first aid duties and take precedence over this guide.
Last reviewed: 2 September 2026