The term "Competent Person" is used in many OSHA standards and documents. As a general rule, the term is not specifically defined. 

In a broad sense, an OSHA competent person is an individual who, by way of training and/or experience, is
knowledgeable of applicable  standards, is capable of identifying
workplace hazards relating to the specific operation, is designated by the employer, and has authority to take
appropriate actions (see 1926.32). 

Some standards add specific requirements which must be met by the
competent person.  These include:

• Excavations, Trenching and Shoring

• Noise Measurement

• Lead Exposure in Construction

• Powered Platforms for Building
  Maintenance

• Personal Fall Arrest Systems

• Shipyard Employment

• Construction Safety

• Scaffold Operations

• Lift-Slab Operations

• Compressed Air Operations

• Asbestos

• Cadmium

• Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres in Shipyard Employment

• Crane Inspections

__________________________________
.

OSHA Overview: Competent Persons

Scaffold Safety Competent Person Training

Excavation Safety PowerPoint Training
.

Use BACK BUTTON to return to this page