Final answer:
OSHA defines a competent person as someone with the expertise to identify and correct workplace hazards, which is integral to the organization's mandate to ensure a safe work environment. Employers must eliminate or reduce hazards, inform and train their workers on safety, and comply with OSHA regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of a Competent Person by OSHA
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a competent person is defined as an individual who has the expertise to identify existing and potential hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. This definition is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy work environment as mandated by OSHA standards.
Employers have the responsibility to protect their workers from serious hazards and to comply with safety and health regulations. They must eliminate or reduce workplace hazards where possible, such as by switching to safer chemicals or installing ventilation systems, before relying on personal protective equipment. Additionally, employers are expected to inform and train workers about chemical hazards and ensure that their workforce understands safety procedures in a language they can comprehend.
OSHA's authority to issue workplace health and safety regulations is an essential aspect of enforcing these responsibilities. Employers must adhere to these regulations, which may include providing fall protection, preventing trenching cave-ins, reducing exposure to infectious diseases, ensuring confined space safety, protecting against harmful chemicals, and installing guards on machinery.