Todd Jerome Jenkins, MS, CSP, SMS, CHST, STSC

Safety Aficionado & Ph.D. Student

Weekly Safety Topic – Competent Person

You probably know that some activities in construction require a competent person to design, supervise, or inspect the work area.  A competent person has a lot of responsibility.

OSHA defines a competent person as someone who:

  1. Is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings,
  2. Is able to identify working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees,
  3. And has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or control the hazards.

Certain kinds of construction work require the presence of a competent person because the tasks are technical in nature, are particularly hazardous, or require someone with a greater level of training, experience, and authority.  The job of the competent person is not to look over your shoulder while you work.  They are there to eliminate hazards that could cause serious injuries illnesses or fatalities (SIIF).  Excavation work and scaffolding are very common on construction sites, and both require the presence of a competent person.

Excavation.  A competent person must inspect the excavation at least once each day before work starts.  The competent person may need to do inspections throughout the day.  They must inspect excavations after every rain event and any other event that could cause a hazard.  The competent person will check for signs of a potential cave-in and inspect any protective system in place.  They are responsible for testing and monitoring the air in the excavation.  They can and will evacuate the excavation if there is a hazardous situation.  Never enter a trench unless inspected and approved by a competent person.

Scaffolding. A competent person is also essential for the safe design, erection, dismantling, and maintenance of scaffolding.  They inspect scaffolding before use each shift and after any event that could affect the structural integrity of the scaffolding.  A competent person determines if it is safe for you to work on or from scaffolding during storms or high wind.  The competent person can also train you to recognize hazards associated with scaffolding.  Never work on scaffolding unless a competent person has inspected it and determined that it is structurally sound and safe to work on.

There may be other activities that require a competent person.  Consult your company’s safety policies for more information.  

If you have any questions about the safe conditions of the project, talk to your supervisor. 

Do you know where to find the Safety Data Sheets?

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