513 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 23-29

Sections

26-4. Roles and Responsibilities.

Designated Persons

The Designated Person must accurately account for underground employees and promptly summon aid during emergencies.
They must stay near the entrance above ground and not engage in other tasks that hinder their primary duties.
Detail their exact responsibilities in the site-specific APP, AHA, or equivalent documentation.

Qualified Person (QP)

A QP must conduct regular inspections, foresee geological conditions, and amend the APP or equivalent plan as needed.
They must design or review support systems, excavation methods, and inspect underground supports post-blast.
A QP is also responsible for creating a CRP plan and inspecting air monitoring devices.

Competent Person (CP)

A CP ensures air quality, conducts air sampling, and can halt work if IDLH or LEL thresholds are exceeded.
They must inspect tunnel roofs, faces, walls, and test ventilation systems.
The CP has the authority to coordinate with the Designated Person to stop work and evacuate if necessary.

Equipment Operator

Responsible for inspecting equipment as detailed in paragraph 26-5.a.

Electricians

Must inspect trucks used for underground transportation of explosives as per paragraph 26-5.c.

Industrial Hygienist (IH) or Specially Trained CP

They must review the jobsite and worker activities for ergonomics-related risk factors.
Address and mitigate hazards such as awkward postures, physical hazards, thermal stress, or fluid exposure.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

26-3. A CP ensures air quality, conducts air sampling, and can halt work if _____.

inspections have not been conducted

the OSHA PEL is reached

IDLH or LEL thresholds are exceeded

oxygen levels exceed 19.5%

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 26-4.

26-4. Roles and Responsibilities.

a.  Designated Persons.  The Designated Person is responsible for keeping an accurate accounting of employee’s underground and promptly summoning aid in case of an emergency. They must remain above ground near the entrance at all times and must not be so busy with any other functions that these duties are encumbered.  List exact duties in the site-specific APP, AHA, or equivalent documentation.  (26-4.a)

b.  Qualified Person (QP).  (26-4.b)

(1)  A QP must conduct inspections of the work site to ensure that any geology- related conditions are anticipated, recognized, evaluated, and corrected before they may present a hazard to occupants or property.  The scope and frequency of these inspections must be included in the site-specific APP, or equivalent plan, and amended as necessary to ensure adequacy whenever conditions or work processes change.

(2)  A QP must design or review all ground support systems, shoring, roof support systems, excavation methods, and rock bolt support systems.

(3)  A QP must inspect underground supports in the blast area after each blast according to paragraph 29-8.h.

(4)  A QP must prepare a Contingency Response Plan (CRP) plan according to paragraph 26-7.c.

(5)  A QP must inspect air monitoring devices according to paragraph 26-5.a.

c.  Competent Person (CP).  (26-4.c)

(1)  A CP is responsible for ensuring air quality meets the requirements in chapter
    6 of this manual. Perform personnel and area air sampling for all contaminants realistically expected to be potentially present where personnel are working.  Perform sampling at sufficient frequencies to ensure that conditions and exposures are well characterized. Any changes required in safety controls revealed by this data must be promptly addressed and implemented.  The CP must have the authority to coordinate with the Designated Person to stop work and evacuate the work site when dangerous levels exceeding any IDLH or LEL thresholds are encountered.

(2)  Conduct inspections of the roof, face, and walls of tunnels according to paragraph 26-5.e.

(3)  Inspect and test ventilation systems according to paragraph 26-5.a.

d.  Equipment Operator.  Inspect equipment according to paragraph 26-5.a. (26-4.d)

e.  Electricians. Inspect trucks used for underground transportation of explosives according to paragraph 26-5.c.  (26-4.e)

f.  An IH or specially trained CP must perform a review of the jobsite and worker activities when the tasks involve ergonomics-related risk factors, such as awkward postures, exposure to physical hazards, such as excessive vibration or noise, thermal stress, or exposure to fluids, including water.  Address and mitigate the hazards to the greatest practical extent.  (26-4.f)