What is a qualified person under OSHA?

“Qualified means one who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.”

• 29 CFR 1926.451, Scaffolds: General requirements 2 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR. Not the same definition: 29 CFR 1926.450(b) defines "Qualified" for scaffolds in nearly the same words, with "his/her" for "his" and "related to" for "relating to".
• 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices 4 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.

• Competent person In construction, someone who can identify existing and predictable hazards and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures.
• Scaffold Any temporary elevated platform, supported or suspended, and its supporting structure, used to support employees or materials.
• Personal fall arrest system In construction, a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level, made of an anchorage, connectors and a body belt or harness.

All terms in the OSHA glossary

1. 29 CFR 1926.32, Definitions. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.

Written by Cairn, updated October 29, 2026. The quoted text is copied from the sources above. A test compares each quotation with a stored copy of the source, and a separate script compares that copy with the live sources. This page explains the law and is not legal advice.