When is a competent person required for scaffolding?

OSHA’s scaffolding standard 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 to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.”

The standard requires a competent person to perform the following duties under these circumstances:

In general:

• To select and direct employees who erect, dismantle, move, or alter scaffolds.
• To determine if it is safe for employees to work on or from a scaffold during storms or high winds and to ensure that a personal fall arrest system or wind screens protect these employees. (Note: Windscreens should not be used unless the scaffold is secured against the anticipated wind forces imposed.)

For training:

• To train employees involved in erecting, disassembling, moving, operating, repairing, maintaining, or inspecting scaffolds to recognize associated work hazards.

For inspections:

• To inspect scaffolds and scaffold components for visible defects before each work shift and after any occurrence which could affect the structural integrity and to authorize prompt corrective actions.
• To inspect ropes on suspended scaffolds prior to each work shift and after every occurrence which could affect the structural integrity and to authorize prompt corrective actions.
• To inspect manila or plastic (or other synthetic) rope being used for toprails or midrails.

For suspension scaffolds:

• To evaluate direct connections to support the load.
• To evaluate the need to secure two-point and multi-point scaffolds to prevent swaying.

For erectors and dismantlers:

• To determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection and access.
• To train erectors and dismantlers to recognize associated work hazards.

For scaffold components:

• To determine if a scaffold will be structurally sound when intermixing components from different manufacturers.
• To determine if galvanic action has affected the capacity when using components of dissimilar metals.