Title: What Is a Competent Person?
Type: Lesson
According to OSHA:
A competent person is someone who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
To meet OSHA’s standard, a competent person must:
Be knowledgeable about applicable OSHA standards and workplace hazards
Be experienced in the work being performed
Have the authority to stop work and correct unsafe conditions
It’s not just a job title — it’s a legal and functional role.
Trenching and Excavation (1926.651–652)
Scaffolding (1926.451)
Fall Protection (1926.500)
Confined Spaces
Demolition, steel erection, and more
OSHA references the need for a competent person dozens of times throughout its construction standards.
These terms are not the same under OSHA:
| Competent Person | Qualified Person |
|---|---|
| Can recognize and fix hazards | Has specialized knowledge or degree |
| Authorized to act on-site | May not have on-site authority |
| Required in many daily jobsite tasks | Often required for design and engineering work |
The employer is responsible for designating someone as a competent person.
There’s no universal license — but training and demonstration of ability are required.
OSHA may ask during an inspection: “Who is your competent person for this task?”
If you are the competent person, you are expected to:
Know what’s safe and what’s not
Speak up and take action
Be a visible leader in safety on the jobsite
Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 2: When a Competent Person Is Required, where we’ll dive deeper into jobsite tasks that demand your presence and oversight.