Lesson 3: Duties & Responsibilities on the Jobsite

Title: Duties & Responsibilities on the Jobsite
Type: Lesson

The Role of a Competent Person

Being a competent person means you’re not just “on site” — you’re actively watching, leading, and protecting. Your presence and decisions directly affect whether work continues safely… or not at all.

Daily Responsibilities

• Inspect work areas before shifts begin
• Verify all safety controls are in place
• Identify new or changing hazards
• Ensure equipment is safe and properly maintained
• Correct unsafe behaviors or stop work if needed
• Communicate clearly with crew and supervisors
• Document inspections and actions taken

Authority to Stop Work

If a hazard is observed, the competent person must:

1. Immediately stop unsafe activity

2. Remove workers from danger

3. Implement controls or corrections

4. Only allow work to resume when it’s safe

You do NOT need permission from upper management to stop unsafe work.

Leading by Example

Competent persons must model:

• Consistent use of PPE

• Clear communication

• Safe behavior

• A “speak-up” culture for hazard reporting

 You are the visible face of safety on the jobsite.

Responsibilities by Hazard Type

Documentation & Reporting

• Keep daily inspection logs

• Report and track hazards or near-misses

• Assist with incident investigations

• Ensure training and certifications are current and accessible

Key Point

A competent person is a decision-maker, enforcer, and protector. If you’re not actively doing those things, you’re not meeting the OSHA standard.

Next Step

Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 4: Identifying & Correcting Hazards, where we’ll walk through common site hazards and how to handle them.