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Who is considered a competent person under OSHA excavation rules?

Someone who can identify hazards and has authority to correct them.

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  1. Someone who can identify hazards and has authority to correct them ✔
  2. The oldest worker on site
  3. Any OSHA inspector

Why: 1926.650(b) defines a competent person as someone who can identify hazards and has authority to take prompt corrective measures.

Huh, didn't know that: A competent person is not necessarily the boss, but must have the power to fix hazards.

The dad joke
Why did the competent person inspect daily? To stay on top of the dirt.
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References

Answer: Someone who can identify hazards and has authority to correct them. 1926.650(b) defines a competent person as someone who can identify hazards and has authority to take prompt corrective measures.

  1. 29 CFR 1926.650(b) www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/1926.650
    Competent person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards ... and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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