Who is a Competent Person and their Role in Excavation Safety and Fall Protection
Who is a Competent Person?
According to OSHA, a “competent person is defined 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 1926.32(f)].”
The Role and Responsibilities of the Competent Person in Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Operations
OSHA’s Excavation Standards 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P specifies organizations involved in excavation and trenching operations appoint an employee as a “competent person” only if they: Have training in soil analysis, Are knowledgeable about protective systems and OSHA excavation requirements, Are able to identify hazards in excavation work, and Have the authority to take prompt action to remove or minimize hazards identified at excavation and/or trenching worksites.
At excavation sites, a competent person is required on-site whenever workers are entering excavations. A competent person’s responsibilities at excavation sites include: Classifying soil Designing structural ramps for heavy equipment Inspecting worksites daily, as often as needed Examining equipment and materials to make sure they are in good working order Monitoring water removal operations Maintaining the authority to take prompt, corrective action to eliminate The Role and Responsibilities of the Competent Person in Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Operations
The Role and Responsibilities of the Competent Person in Fall Protection
Accordingly, an employer must appoint a competent person who is responsible for:
The identification and evaluation of fall hazards and warning other workers about these conditions.
Determining whether the safety nets meet the provisions of the Fall Protections Standards according to Subpart M.
The inspection of the personal fall arrest system (PFAS) after a fall.
Evaluating any alterations in a personal fall arrest system and its safety.
Training employees to recognize fall hazards and follow safe work practices.
To better understand the compliance requirements of OSHA’s Excavations Standards, enroll employees in our OSHA Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Training course without delay. For comprehensive training on OSHA Fall Protection Standards, enroll in our OSHA Competent Person for Fall Protection Training course today!
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