OSHA requires that certain tasks be performed by a qualified person. A qualified person needs to meet a number of requirements.
Requirements for being a qualified person:
(1) The worker has received adequate training for the scope of services to be performed.
(2) The worker has demonstrated the knowledge and hands-on expertise required to handle the range of problems likely to be encountered under the observation of a qualified person.
(3) The worker has suitable documentation both of the above requirements.
Pearls about the qualified person:
(1) It is independent of job title.
(2) Failure to demonstrate competence in a hands-on situation is not acceptable.
(3) Failure to produce documentation for qualifications is not acceptable.
(4) Using workers who do not meet all requirements for a qualified person may be viewed as negligence and therefore liable.
(5) The scope for being qualified may be general or very specific. A person qualified for one task may not be qualified for another.
