In construction and related activities you may come across the term "Competent Person", in this post I explore who and what that is.
To determine what qualifications a person may need in order to be designated as a competent person, I researched various online sources. My initial impression about the role of a designated competent person is that such an individual should be well rounded with his or her knowledge in construction management. He or she would certainly need to be very knowledgable in at least one of trades present on the job site. The competent person would need to have a firm grasp on the OSHA standards for at least one trade, but preferably more.
Key interesting facts I picked up from research about the competent person is that this is most definitely not a role that one would necessarily train for, or could train for. The skills and knowledge that need to be present in a competent person are not just book smarts, but more importantly, experience on construction sites. Training does factor into the process of becoming a competent person, but many years of experience is what is weighed more heavily in determining who is up for the job.
The next, and potentially even more important, factor in determining a competent person is ones ability to act in an authoritative manner when it is required, without hesitation. Along with the authoritative characteristic, one must be able to notice, discern, and swiftly decide what action is needed during the presence of a potential safety hazard. Tying the first and second characteristics together, we can see how the competent person needs to have great experience in at least one or more trades, knowledge of the trades and associated dangers, OSHA regulations regarding trades, capacity to perceive or foresee dangerous situations, act on hazards, and lastly, to command different laborers with solutions in the most expeditious manner.
To determine what qualifications a person may need in order to be designated as a competent person, I researched various online sources. My initial impression about the role of a designated competent person is that such an individual should be well rounded with his or her knowledge in construction management. He or she would certainly need to be very knowledgable in at least one of trades present on the job site. The competent person would need to have a firm grasp on the OSHA standards for at least one trade, but preferably more.
Key interesting facts I picked up from research about the competent person is that this is most definitely not a role that one would necessarily train for, or could train for. The skills and knowledge that need to be present in a competent person are not just book smarts, but more importantly, experience on construction sites. Training does factor into the process of becoming a competent person, but many years of experience is what is weighed more heavily in determining who is up for the job.
The next, and potentially even more important, factor in determining a competent person is ones ability to act in an authoritative manner when it is required, without hesitation. Along with the authoritative characteristic, one must be able to notice, discern, and swiftly decide what action is needed during the presence of a potential safety hazard. Tying the first and second characteristics together, we can see how the competent person needs to have great experience in at least one or more trades, knowledge of the trades and associated dangers, OSHA regulations regarding trades, capacity to perceive or foresee dangerous situations, act on hazards, and lastly, to command different laborers with solutions in the most expeditious manner.
RSS Feed
