The "Competent Person" Audit

Welcome back, let’s Build Smart & Build Safe! Yesterday, we audited our annual training calendar. Today, we look at the specific individuals who hold the most responsibility on your job site: your Competent Persons.

Under OSHA standards, a "Competent Person" is not just someone who has been on the job for a long time. It is a specific legal definition: someone capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards AND who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

The "Authority" Gap

Companies often designate a "Competent Person" on paper to satisfy a checklist, but that person doesn't feel empowered to actually stop a crew or a subcontractor.

The Reality Check: If your Competent Person can identify a hazard but has to call the office to get "permission" to fix it or stop work, they are not a Competent Person in the eyes of OSHA. ---

Your 2026 Designation Audit

For the first week of the year, sit down with your roster and audit your designations for high-risk tasks. Do you have a qualified CP for the following?

• Trenching & Excavations: They must be able to classify soil and authorize the correct protective systems (shoring, shielding, sloping).

• Scaffolding: They must oversee the umbilical cord of the scaffold—assembly, moving, and dismantling—and inspect it daily before the shift.

• Fall Protection: They must be able to identify fall hazards and have the expertise to oversee the installation of anchor points and lifelines.

• Cranes & Rigging: They must inspect rigging gear and oversee lifts.

Three Steps to Formalize Your Team

To move beyond "Paper Safety," follow this process for 2026:

1. Verify the Credentials: Don't assume a foreman is a Competent Person because they were one five years ago. Review their latest training certificates and hands-on experience.

2. Formalize in Writing: OSHA does not necessarily require a written "appointment," but your insurance carrier and your safety culture do. A formal letter of designation clarifies expectations and grants them the explicit power to stop work.

3. The Interview: Ask your designated CPs: "Do you feel comfortable stopping a job if you see a hazard?" If they hesitate, you have a culture problem to solve before a shovel hits the dirt.

The Goal for 2026

Being a Competent Person is a heavy lift. It requires a mix of technical knowledge and the backbone to stand up to schedule pressure. This year, don't just "name" your CPs—empower them.

Tomorrow, we’ll dive into the paperwork that supports these leaders: Refreshing the JHA (Job Hazard Analysis).

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-The Safety Man