Responsibilities of a Competent Person in Scaffolding and Confined Space Operations

RESPONSIBILITI

PERSON IN SCAFFOLDING AND CONFINED S PA C E OPERATIONS

In the world of safety and health, a “competent person” is designated to ensure the wellbeing of employees and workers.

OSHA defines a competent person as, “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them” (29 CFR 1926.450).

The Role of the Competent Person in Scaffolding Operations

• Training employees working on scaffolding to recognize hazards associated with tasks such as erecting, dismantling, moving, adjusting, and inspecting scaffolds.

• Determining the safety of employees working on scaffolds during unfavorable weather conditions such as strong winds, storms, or heavy snowfall.

• Ensuring employees working on scaffolding have access to a personal fall arrest system or wind screens during bad weather.

• Making sure the scaffolds’ structural integrity is maintained when components from different manufacturers are used together.

• Determining whether galvanic action has affected the capacity of scaffolds when components made from different metals are used together.

Role of the Competent Person in Scaffolding Operations

Training employees working on scaffolding to recognize hazards associated with tasks such as erecting, dismantling, moving, adjusting, and inspecting scaffolds.

Determining the safety of employees working on scaffolds during unfavorable weather conditions such as strong winds, storms, or heavy snowfall.

Ensuring employees working on scaffolding have access to a personal fall arrest system or wind screens during bad weather.

Making sure the scaffolds’ structural integrity is maintained when components from different manufacturers are used together.

Determining whether galvanic action has affected the capacity of scaffolds when components made from different metals are used together.

Worker Training When Working in and Around Scaffolds

Enroll employees in our OSHAScaffolding Safety Training course to ensure their safety when working at heights!

What is a Confined Space?

According to OSHA’s Confined Spaces Standard, a confined space is defined as a space that.

 Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter it,

 Has limited or restricted means for entry and exit, and

 Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Responsibilities of a Competent Person in Confined Spaces

Identify all confined spaces in which one or more employees may be assigned work before work begins at a worksite.

Determine which of these confined spaces should be designed as a permit-required confined space through evaluation and testing to determine the specific safety and health hazards.

Also decide which of the confined spaces workers may enter to perform work activities.

Worker Training for Confined Spaces

Our OSHA Confined Space Awareness Training course is designed for employees working in and around confined spaces, including, authorized entrants, safety attendants, entry supervisors, and emergency response personnel.

Referen ces

• OSHA. (n.d.). Confined Spaces in Construction Standard - 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA. 1926.1202 - Definitions. Website. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1202

• OSHA. (n.d.). Scaffolding Standard for the Construction Industry - 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L. 1926.450 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart. Website. https://www.osha.gov/lawsregs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.450