They Help Protect Employees, Company Reputation and Profits – 04/05/2021

Safety E-QuickTips

U.S. Compliance Systems, Inc.

Monday April 5, 2021

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They Help Protect Employees, Company Reputation and Profits

So, who is this person that can help protect Your Company’s Most Valuable Assets?

OSHA refers to them as “The Designated Competent Person.”

Now, before you go jumping to any conclusions as to whether this person has any real value you or not, let’s look at how this person can help protect all those assets.

Although the term “Competent Person” has been clearly defined in OSHA regulations for years, I find that very few of the employers I talk with have a clear understanding of what the term really means or the responsibilities that accompany the position. To make things even worse, many of the designated Competent Persons don’t have a clue either.

Because I believe this is one of the most important positions that needs to be filled when it comes to employee workplace safety, I want to take this opportunity to provide you with OSHA’s definition of a Competent Person and a short review.

Let’s start with OSHA’s definition.

“Competent Person means 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.”

When you break down OSHA’s definition you see that a Competent Person has 2 specific responsibilities.

1. They must be able to identify existing and predictable workplace hazards. To do this properly, the Competent Person must first be trained to recognize the hazards associated with the work being performed. Next, they should have enough experience in their industry that they are able to predict potential exposure. This will provide the Competent Person with what they need to communicate safety to the employees they are working with.

2. They must be authorized to take prompt action to correct and eliminate hazards in the workplace. To meet this responsibility, a company must give the Competent Person complete authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate the hazards without requiring them to ask upper management for permission before making the necessary corrections.

Based on the above I believe it is easy to see that by designating a Competent Person who has the proper training, experience, and authority to take corrective action is one of the best defenses a company has to protect employees from hazards in the workplace.

For those of you who did not have a clear understanding of what it meant to be a Competent Person – I hope this has clarified the term and the position.

Employee QuickTip

When a company appoints a Competent Person for safety, listen to what they say. It’s a decision you won’t regret.

If you are the designated Competent Person, do you your job to the best of your ability, but don’t forget to treat those you are helping to protect with respect.You might find they have a little more respect for what you are doing.

Employer/Management QuickTip

As you can see when it comes to workplace safety you can’t just point a finger at someone and they instantly become a Competent Person. So, when choosing one, make your choice wisely and be ready to give them the authority they must have to do their job.

Because if you do it right, they are an asset who will protect your Employees, Company Reputation and Profits.

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Thanks for Reading and Please – Stay Healthy and Work Safe.