Understanding the Role of a Competent Person
The designation "Competent Person" is widely recognized across various OSHA regulations and guidelines and even in numerous proprietary and industry-specific standards.
This term denotes individuals who are empowered to foresee, identify, and mitigate risks, ensuring safety and health in workplace tasks they and their colleagues undertake. Specifically, in the realm of fall protection, these individuals, often representing the employer, are tasked with the critical responsibility of safeguarding against injuries and illnesses through proactive measures.
A Competent Person is expected to possess a thorough understanding of relevant safety standards and have direct experience with the tasks at hand. They must also be capable of educating employees and implementing necessary corrective actions. Employers are required by regulation to assess and formally appoint individuals as Competent Persons based on their expertise, experience, and the authority to enforce safety measures, ranging from making environments safe to halting work to prevent risk exposure.
OSHA’s Definitions of a Competent Person:
In Construction (29 CFR 1926.32(f)), an individual who is able to identify predictable and existing hazards in work environments that are dangerous, unsanitary, or hazardous to employees has the authority to take immediate corrective actions.
In General Industry (20 CFR 1910.140(b)): Someone capable of identifying hazards in any personal fall protection system or its components, including their use and application, who is also authorized to promptly address these hazards.
Why This Course Is Crucial
Fall Protection—The Duty to Have Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.501) is OSHA's most frequently cited standard. In fiscal year 2020, Fall Protection—General Requirements accounted for 5,424 violations, highlighting the critical need for competent fall protection oversight.
This 16-hour OSHA Fall Protection Competent Person Certification Course caters to individuals in both the Construction and General Industry sectors responsible for overseeing or acting as Competent Persons in Fall Protection. It benefits safety managers and any worker involved with height-related tasks and fall protection measures. Through this course, participants will learn to identify fall hazards, devise solutions for fall and falling object hazards, and implement comprehensive safety measures.
Course Highlights:
Regulations, responsibilities, and key terms in Fall Protection
Equipment identification, care, storage, and inspection
Understanding of conventional and innovative Fall Protection Systems
Fall hazard elimination and control
Active vs. passive fall protection
Fall distance calculations and anchorage requirements
Protection against falling and dropped object hazards
Rescue planning and Fall Protection training strategies
Course Details:
Certification covering key OSHA and ANSI standards
Certificate of Completion from The Safety Firm, LLC
Ideal Participants:
Current or prospective Competent Persons for Fall Protection
Safety professionals, owners, and managers
Individuals working at heights
Safety trainers and equipment inspectors
Safety committee and lead safety personnel