Competent Person (CP) Responsibilities
Proper selection and installation of trench protection measures are very important. To comply with the standard, the employer must have a competent person (CP).
Competent vs. Qualified
A competent person is defined 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."
The CP has important excavation inspection responsibilities:
- Determine cave-in potential to assess the need for shoring or other protective systems;
- Classify soil and rock deposits;
- Determine the appropriate slope of an excavation to prevent collapse;
- Assess entry and exit methods such as ladders and structural ramps;
- Inspect the excavation and protective system at least daily prior to the start of work and as needed throughout a workshift.
- Inspect when any hazard-increasing occurrence (such as a rainstorm) takes place.
- Remove employees from the danger area if evidence of a possible cave-in, protective system failure or any other hazardous condition, exists.
- Monitor water removal equipment and operations and inspect excavations subject to runoff from heavy rains
If you need a sample competent person daily checklist, please click here for a PDF copy.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-3. How often should a competent person inspect excavations and protective systems for which they are responsible?
You forgot to answer the question!