The concept of a "competent person" is confusing to many.  Many people believe that to become a "competent person" they have to complete a specific course or certification.  While training is part of what makes a competent person, it is not just the result of completing a course.

Definition of a Competent Person

An OSHA "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 authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them." This comes from regulation 29 CFR 1926.32(f).

Competent Persons are Designated by the Employer 

To be a competent person, you just need to be designated by the employer.  They have the authority to decide if your training and experience qualify you as a competent person in the workplace.  Competent persons must meet the two main criteria:

  1. Identify Hazards - Competent persons must have the understanding and experience in the workplace to identify hazards.  A person who is new to the job is not likely to meet this criteria.
  2. Authority to Correct Hazards - Competent persons must be able to immediately correct hazards in the workplace. They should be granted specific authority by the employer.

It is a Good Idea to Document Competent Persons

While not always required, it is good practice to document which employees have been designated as competent persons for the relevant subject and work area.  If OSHA visits or has to investigate, you can produce documentation that proves the employees had been evaluated and designated as a competent person.

Competent personOsha

7 comments

Gopal Patil

Gopal Patil

I am graduate engineer (BE Chemical + ADIS ), Process Safety Engineer with 7 year of industrial experience in design , Manufacturing and Handling of pressure vessel , process design calculation , vent sizing calculation ,PSV,RD,PRV sizing ,hazardous area classification ,
and want become a competent person certification.

Anil kumar virmani

Anil kumar virmani

I am graduate engineer (Mech) and want to become competant person PESO for inspection of pressure vessel

Rev Fileo

Rev Fileo

I would like to receive information on this
Subject also.

William Yee

William Yee

Do you have to be certified to become a competent person on an construction job site if not what do I have to do get put on my company’s competent list , if there is a test to take to get certified what site do I have to go to ,

Pete Matthews

Pete Matthews

I’m 52 years old & have been in the building industry for over 35 years , originally completing a city & guilds apprenticeship as a Heating & Ventilating Engineer , since then I’ve been running a domestic building company , where upon I’ve often completed electrical installations on site , which have all been inspected/certified by a Part P compliant independent inspector ,I would however like to be included as a competent person , inline with the degree of experience I have onsite & would be interested to know how I could achieve this.

James Hennessy

James Hennessy

I would like to become a competent person

SAGAR WANI

SAGAR WANI

Sir, I want to know what are the procedure, qualifications required for “Competent Person” of pressure vessels, lifting tools & tackles.

Thanks

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