Competent Person
A designated competent person who has training in soil analysis, protective systems, and OSHA's excavation requirements must be on site to classify the soil, select a protective system, oversee installation, and inspect the system after installation.
Make sure a competent person is always on site.
- If there are no existing hazards the competent person can leave the excavation site for a short time, but must be present when a protective system is moved. Soil conditions could change or new hazards may arise that require the competent person's judgment.
- The competent person must be knowledgeable about the type of soil excavated and the protective system used and must inspect them daily for signs of instability, damage, or other hazards;
- The competent person must approve any changes. Inspections are also necessary after heavy rain or activities such as blasting that may increase the risk of cave-in.
- The competent person must have authority to immediately correct the hazards and to order employees to leave the excavation until the hazards have been corrected.
- An employee who is trained and can identify excavation hazards but doesn't have the authority to correct them is not a competent person.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-10. An excavation competent person must _____.
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