According to OSHA, hazards in excavations must be recognized and addressed by which qualified individual?

The correct answer is the competent person because this individual possesses the necessary knowledge, training, and experience to identify and mitigate hazards specific to excavation sites. According to OSHA regulations, a competent person is defined as one who can identify existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that can result in injury or illness, and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards.

A competent person plays a crucial role in ensuring that safety protocols are followed, conducting regular site inspections, and providing necessary training to the workforce regarding excavation safety. This trained individual is required to evaluate the site conditions, assess soil characteristics, and ensure the proper use of protective systems, reinforcing the importance of having a specialized expert overseeing safety measures in excavation activities.

In contrast, while a site manager may oversee operations and a safety officer addresses safety policies, they may not necessarily have the detailed knowledge of excavation hazards required to act on issues in real-time as a competent person does. General laborers typically follow directions and are not typically trained to actively identify or resolve hazards.