Glossary · Safe work, maintenance and competence
Competent person
In occupational safety, a competent person is a person with the knowledge, training and authority needed to identify hazards and take corrective action. The authority to act is part of the definition, not an extra.
- Machine safety
- Human factors
- USA
In one sentence
A competent person can recognize hazards and has the authority to correct them, a role that many safety rules assign to inspections.
Example
At a plant installing a new robot cell, the competent person inspects the temporary scaffolding each shift and has the authority to stop work when a guardrail is missing.
How it applies
- USA: OSHA uses “competent person” and “qualified person” with specific meanings, for example in its construction rules. When a regulation requires a competent person, check how that regulation defines the term.
- Machine safety: Inspections of equipment, lifting gear or temporary measures are often assigned to a competent person. The designation should be explicit and known on site.
- Technical documentation: Where a manual requires a competent person for a task, say what they must be able to recognize or decide. Avoid using the term as a vague label for “someone trained”.
- Evidence: Designations and competency assessment records show who holds the role and why.
Competent person vs. qualified person
A competent person identifies hazards and has authority to correct them. A qualified person has demonstrated skills and knowledge to solve problems related to the task and equipment. A person may be one without being the other.