The person assigned to the task should understand the work materials, equipment, and processes. While the regulation uses somewhat vague language in requiring “frequent and regular inspections of job sites,” the competent person should be someone who is on the work site with the crew and in a position to move around and observe tasks involving respirable crystalline silica during the work shift. It is perfectly acceptable to have multiple OSHA competent persons on a job site who each oversee a different regulation, or to have multiple competent persons for a single regulation to provide overlap, particularly for larger job sites, when there is a need to cover multiple shifts, when there is a need for timely coordination with other trades, to increase support at the start of a new project, and to oversee heavy use of regulated materials. The employer should choose the most suitable person or persons at each job site to serve as the OSHA competent person for each regulation that requires one. Ī common error is for all competent person tasks to be assigned to one superintendent, lead foreman, or senior worker by default for a job site. The Competent Person must have the knowledge and ability necessary to fulfill the responsibilities set forth. OSHA defined “competent person” in this standard asĪn individual who is capable of identifying existing and foreseeable respirable crystalline silica hazards in the workplace and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize them. Competent persons will play a vital role in the success of this new regulation because approximately 85 percent of silica-affected workers are in construction trades, which have a larger share of occupations with high potential for overexposure. In construction, multiple regulated activities happening simultaneously is a likely scenario. Construction has no set regulated areas, often complicated work settings at customer sites, and the need for coordination with other trades and the client. The competent person is crucial to success towards decreasing construction workplace exposures because of greater variability in the work environment. OSHA puts this hazard in perspective in its publication Acute silicosis following extremely high exposures is also a concern-not just low-dose, long-term exposure-due to the retention of the material in the lungs. Silicosis is a preventable, progressive occupational lung disease with no effective, specific treatment patients can only be offered supportive care. OSHA estimates that the rule will save over 600 lives and prevent more than 900 new cases of silicosis per year across all industries. OSHA has separated construction respirable crystalline silica (.1153) from general industry and maritime, which do not have a competent person requirement. This article will discuss the respirable crystalline silica competent person in construction. Various definitions for “competent person” are used within different regulatory standards. This person will implement the written exposure control plan. OSHA’s new silica standard for construction contains a requirement long recommended by experts: employers covered by the standard must designate a competent person.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |