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Who is “qualified” by OSHA regs to be my “competent” person?
David C. Bond Guest Columnist
In the fall of 1996, OSHA implemented its new scaffold regulations. In one area OSHA clarified the training requirements for employees using and building scaffolds. It used the terms “qualified person” and “competent person.” In this column I hope to help you understand the type of training your erectors need, who can be deemed a “competent person,” and who is qualified to design your scaffold.
A “competent person” is defined by OSHA as “One 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.” (OSHA 1926.450 (b)).
The regulation also states “Scaffolds shall be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. Such activities shall be performed only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by the competent person.” (OSHA 1926.451 (f) (7)).
Often people come to me and ask, “How do I get to be a OSHA certified competent person?” What I tell them is that there is no such thing as an OSHA certification for a scaffold competent person. The only entity that can certify a person as being competent is their employer. It is the employer’s responsibility to choose a competent person who is qualified to erect the scaffold in question. They must have, through years of experience and specific scaffold training, demonstrated that they are capable of doing the job at hand. OSHA lists OSHA lists several areas in which a competent person and any other scaffold builder for that matter needs to be trained.
(1) The nature of scaffold hazards;
(2) The correct procedures for erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, inspecting and maintaining the type of scaffold in question;
(3) The design criteria, maximum intended load-carrying capacity and intended use of the scaffold;
(4) Any other pertinent requirements of this subpart.
These are from (OSHA 1926.454 (b) (1-4). Number 4 tells us that any scaffold builder needs to be trained to understand all of the regulations pertaining to the type of scaffold being used.
The list of training topics above is not for the competent person alone. All scaffold builders that are working under the competent person need training in the same areas. Engineering degree not needed It breaks down something like this: a qualified person must design any scaffold; a trained crew under the supervision of a competent person must erect any scaffold. The qualified person does not necessarily have to be on the job during the erection process.
OSHA defines a “qualified person” as, “One who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his/her ability to solve or resolve problems related to the subject matter, the work, or project.” (OSHA 1926.450 (b)).
A qualified person does not necessarily need to have an engineering degree to design most scaffolds. He/she need only have the experience and knowledge of the subject to design a legal, safe scaffold. The exception to this rule is any scaffold over 125 feet in height. Courses available There are various courses offered to meet these criteria that range from eight hours to 40 hours, depending on what level of expertise you desire. One of the best is offered at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, Indiana. The Scaffold Industry Association offers a range of courses that include class time as well as home study.
Many large companies offer their own in house courses to fulfill the requirements.
The Carpenters Local 1281 offer a 40-hour course that is recommended by OSHA for any member who needs it and many of the other unions including the Laborers and Painters offer smaller “type specific” courses. Job experience most important I am the trainer for an introductory eight-hour course, which is offered when there is a demand at the offices of R&R Scaffold Erectors Inc. here in Anchorage.
In my opinion, if a person has no on the job experience, even the best of these classes just makes people more dangerous. Remember, a person can be deemed competent to erect a small rolling tower and at the same time they are in no way competent to erect a 120 foot tall scaffold around a petrochemical vessel.
When selecting your company’s “competent person,” I implore you to pick a person who has years of practical experience with the scaffold system in question.
About the author: David C. Bond is the president of R&R Scaffold Erectors Inc. in Anchorage He is the instructor for the University of Alaska Anchorage’s scaffold training course. Bond has over 15 years experience in the scaffold industry.
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