What Is a Qualified Person in Fall Protection?
When it comes to fall protection training and compliance, OSHA uses specific terms that have very important meanings—Qualified Person and Competent Person. Many people confuse the two, but they serve different roles in workplace safety. Understanding what a qualified person is (and isn’t) can make the difference between a compliant fall protection program and one that exposes your company to unnecessary risks.
OSHA’s Definition of a Qualified Person
According to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.32(m):
A qualified person is someone “who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated their ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.”
In simple terms: a qualified person in fall protection is someone with the technical expertise to design, evaluate, and approve fall protection systems.
What Does a Qualified Person Do in Fall Protection?
In workplace safety, especially on construction sites, a qualified person may:
Design fall protection systems such as lifelines, anchor points, or guardrails.
Evaluate and approve fall protection equipment to ensure compliance with OSHA and ANSI standards.
Train competent persons on recognizing and correcting fall hazards.
Provide expert guidance when custom solutions are needed.
Oversee modifications or specialized systems that require engineering knowledge.
Qualified Person vs. Competent Person in Fall Protection
Both roles are critical, but they are not the same:
A competent person is trained to recognize fall hazards on the jobsite and has the authority to stop unsafe work immediately.
A qualified person has the education, certifications, and/or advanced experience to design and verify fall protection systems.
Think of it like this:
Competent Person = Jobsite Safety Supervisor
Qualified Person = Fall Protection Engineer/Designer
Some individuals may serve as both if they meet the OSHA requirements.
Why a Qualified Person Matters for Workplace Safety
Falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities, and fall protection violations are consistently among OSHA’s top citations every year. Having a qualified person on your safety team ensures that:
Your fall protection systems meet OSHA and ANSI standards.
Your workers are using safe, effective equipment.
Your company avoids costly OSHA fines and liability issues.
You create a stronger, safer workplace culture.
Get Expert Fall Protection Training
At Parker Safety Training, we help companies across the Reno/Sparks area and beyond build compliant and effective fall protection programs. From competent person training to fall protection system evaluations, our safety experts can guide you every step of the way.
👉 Contact us today to schedule fall protection training or learn more about OSHA’s requirements for competent and qualified persons.
