Competent Person Responsibilities

In terms of confined spaces, a "competent person" has the following qualifications:

• Has the knowledge, training, and experience to organize the work and its performance
• Is familiar with the regulations that apply to the work
• Has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace

While a supervisor may have a role in organizing the work, he or she may not necessarily be competent to carry out the specific task or tasks.

A competent person is responsible for the following tasks:

• Developing and implementing the confined space plan
• Verifying that the Entry Permit continues to comply with the plan, prior to the start of each shift and before first entry
• Completing an adequate assessment of the hazards in the confined space before any worker enters the confined space
• Signing and dating the assessment, and providing it to the employer
• Conducting the general training of workers before they are allowed to enter the confined space
• Inspecting the rescue equipment to ensure that it is in good working order
• Performing adequate tests as often as necessary to ensure that acceptable atmospheric levels are maintained in the confined space
• Inspecting the PPE used by a worker entering the confined space where there are atmospheric hazards

To learn more about Confined Space Competent Person/Supervisor visit our Confined Space Competent Person/Supervisor Online Training web page.