OSHA safety training for the Competent Person

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competent person training certifcations

Why Competent Person Training is Mandatory

The Competent Person is defined in the OSHA construction standards as someone designated by their employer who is capable of identifying hazards in the workplace, and who has the authority to take prompt corrective action to eliminate or control those hazards so workers will not be injured. Therefore, a Competent Person must have the training and experience needed to be able to perform regular inspections of the worksite, and perform other safety-critical activities as needed to ensure compliance with OSHA standards applicable to the work being performed.

The specific knowledge and skills needed to be a Competent Person can vary significantly, depending on which OSHA standard applies to the work being performed. For example, the general safety and health provisions in Subpart C of the OSHA construction rules state that “employers must provide for frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials, and equipment to be made by competent persons designated by the employers.” 

On some job sites, this might be handled by having an experienced foreman, supervisor, or safety rep who is designated as a competent person take an OSHA 30-hour training course in construction standards to supplement and broaden their knowledge of general hazards and OSHA violations present on the job.

On the other hand, some OSHA construction standards have very specific requirements describing the duties that must be performed by the Competent Person. Those standards include, but are not limited to:

  • The OSHA excavation standards;
  • The OSHA confined spaces in construction standards;
  • The OSHA fall protection standards for construction;
  • The OSHA scaffolding standards; and,
  • The OSHA electrical standards.

 

Keep in mind that a designated Competent Person for an excavation site, or who is overseeing confined space entry operations, would not necessarily be qualified to be the Competent Person overseeing the installation of a fall arrest system or scaffolding, and visa-versa. So, employers should have personnel overseeing various types of operations complete specialized training classes or online training courses geared specifically to duties of the Competent Person.

Empowering the Competent Person with our Training Courses

Excavation Competent Person Training
Our Excavation Safety for the Competent Person training course provides students with knowledge and skills needed to identify and mitigate excavation hazards, as required to be a competent person on excavation sites. Students will learn about the OSHA excavation standards dealing with general excavation hazards such as underground utilities, job-site equipment, hazardous atmospheres, soil testing and classification, protective systems, and OSHA inspection requirements for the Competent Person.
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Confined Space Competent Person Training
Our Confined Space Safety for the Competent Person training course is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, evaluate, and control hazards associated with working in confined spaces at construction sites. The training guides students through the OSHA confined spaces in construction standards, covering how to identify and evaluate permit-required confined spaces, plus the entry and emergency procedures required to ensure safety entry operations.
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Fall Protection Competent Person Training
Our Fall Protection for the Competent Person training course teaches participants how to recognize and evaluate fall hazards, select appropriate fall protection devices and equipment, and develop effective fall protection plans. Students will learn how to ensure a safe and compliant work environment and prevent injuries related to falls.
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Scaffolding Competent Person Training
Our Scaffolding Safety for the Competent Person training course provides students with comprehensive knowledge needed to ensure safe scaffolding work, including risk assessment, scaffold inspection, and OSHA regulations. Participants will learn how to ensure the safety of workers and the public by identifying and addressing potential hazards in scaffolding operations.
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Electrical Safety Training for the Competent Person
Our Electrical Safety training course helps students learn to identify electrical hazards in the workplace, use proper personal protective equipment, and implement safety measures to ensure a safe working environment. The training includes an overview of OSHA standards and best practices for working with electrical systems, as well as conducting safety inspections needed to identify and address electrical hazards in their workplace.
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Construction Safety for the Competent Person
Our OSHA 30-hour Construction training course provides students with with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and mitigate a broad variety of safety hazards at construction sites. The training covers over 21 topics addressed in the OSHA 1926 construction standards. Participants who successfully complete the OSHA 30-hour construction course earn the OSHA / DOL wallet card required to work at many construction sites.
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