Competent Person

The standard does not specify training requirements for competent persons. Instead, it defines a competent person in terms of capability. Section 1926.450(b) defines a competent person 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.

A ‘competent person’ must be knowledgeable about the structural integrity of scaffolds and the degree of maintenance needed to maintain them. The competent person must also be able to evaluate the effects of occurrences such as a dropped load, or a truck backing into a support leg that could damage a scaffold. In addition, the competent person must be knowledgeable about the requirements of this standard. A competent person must have training or knowledge in these areas in order to identify and correct hazards encountered in scaffold work.”

Does the competent person need both (1) the same training as a scaffold erector, plus (2) additional training on how to inspect scaffolds and recognize hazards?

Section 1926.454 states that a competent person will train employees involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting a scaffold. To meet this requirement, a competent person must be fully knowledgeable about erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining and inspecting the scaffold. As a practical matter this will usually mean that the competent person will need the same training as a scaffold erector plus whatever additional training is necessary to carry out these other duties.

When is a qualified person required for scaffolding?

The standard 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 the project.” The qualified person must perform the following duties in these circumstances:

  • For Training – To train employees working on the scaffolds to recognize the associated hazards and understand procedures to control or minimize those hazards.
  • For Suspension Scaffolds – To design the rigging for single-point adjustable suspension scaffolds. To design platforms on two-point adjustable suspension types that are less than 36 inches (0.9 m) wide to prevent instability. To make swaged attachments or spliced eyes on wire suspension ropes.

When is an Engineer Required?

The standard requires a registered professional engineer to perform the following duties in these circumstances.

  • To design the direct connections of masons’ multi-point adjustable suspension scaffolds.
  • To design scaffolds that are to be moved when employees are on them.
  • To design pole scaffolds over 60 feet (18.3 meters) in height.
  • To design tube and coupler scaffolds over 125 feet (38 meters) in height.
  • To design fabricated frame scaffolds over 125 feet (38 meters) in height above their base plates.
  • To design brackets on fabricated frame scaffolds used to support cantilevered loads in addition to workers.
  • To design outrigger scaffolds and scaffold components.
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