Certification Details CAL/OSHA Excavation Competent Person
This article provides specific certification details for a CAL/OSHA Competent Person Application in excavating. NITC tests and certifies workers in Fire Protection & Safety Systems, HVACR Medical Gas, Pipefitting, Plumbing, and associated industries.
OSHA Competent Person Responsibility
The OSHA Construction Standard defines a competent person as someone who is: capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or. working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or unsafe to employees, and. who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
OSHA standards require that trenching and excavation sites be inspected daily and cleared by a competent person whenever conditions change before worker entry to ensure the elimination of excavation hazards.
As a result of training and/or experience, a competent person is defined as one that is knowledgeable of applicable standards, can identify workplace hazards relating to the specific operation, and has the authority to rectify them.
CA Requirements
California requires daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective procedures by a competent person for evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous environments, or other hazardous conditions. An inspection will be performed by the competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift. Additionally, inspections will also be made after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing occurrence.
If the competent person finds evidence of a situation that could result in a possible cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions, exposed employees shall be removed from the hazardous location until the appropriate precautions have been taken to ensure their safety.
Excavation Competent Person Certification
The Certification exam is provided by the National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC) and the cost is $130. Candidates must score a minimum of 70% to pass. Certification is valid for 5 years.
Requests for certification should be submitted no later than three (3) weeks before the examination date. A minimum of 10 applicants is required to schedule an examination. It is the requesting entity’s responsibility to notify each applicant of the time and date of the examination.
An application for the Competent Person exam can be completed online at nationalitc.com/files/galleries/720-140_Rev_--(Cal_OSHA_Competent_Person_Application).pdf. To request certification exam schedules and information please Email InesPerez@nationalitc.com.
For additional information about The National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC) testing programs, and practices visit https://nationalitc.com/.