"OSHA Standards and the Competent Person" Article reaction

There’s a great article in the May 2021 edition of Safety+Health titled “OSHA Standards and the Competent Person” that’s worth the read. Click here for the digital version. (page 38-39)

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a ‘competent person’ a ‘competent person’, you’ll find that this article does a great job of defining it.  The article also addresses what it means to be ‘Qualified’, ‘Certified’, and ‘Authorized’.

These terms are all too often used incorrectly and having a good understanding of each is important. Here’s a summary of the definitions as found in the article:

Competent person: One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards (by way of training and/or experience) in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them” [Reference 29 CFR 1926.32(f)].

Note: Some standards add additional specific requirements which must be met by the competent person (e.g. excavations, scaffolding, fall protection, etc.).

Qualified person: A person who, by education or experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems related to a particular work or subject matter. Examples of qualified individuals are journeymen electricians or journeymen plumbers.

Certified person: An employee who has passed a certification exam from an accredited organization, such as a certified safety professional or certified industrial hygienist.

Authorized person: A person assigned by an employer to perform specific duties or to be at a specific location(s) on a job site.

Source:

Safety+Health | May 2021 Digital Version

Download the Safety Reports Suite

Safety Reports Logo

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Visit our PRIVACY POLICY for more information.