OHS laws generally require all workers to be properly trained, instructed, equipped and supervised to recognize and protect against the hazards they encounter while doing their jobs. But generalized health and safety preparation may not be enough. There are also specific higher-risk, higher-skill jobs, functions, tasks and duties that the law says must be done by a “qualified person” (known as a “competent person” in most other jurisdictions). As safety coordinator, it’s crucial to understand the “qualified person” requirements to ensure that the right people are assigned to the right jobs, i.e., the jobs they’re qualified to carry out safely. Here’s a Checklist of all the jobs that BC OHS Regulations require to be performed by a “qualified person.”

CHECKLIST OF JOBS & FUNCTIONS THAT MUST BE PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED PERSON

Instructions: Under BC OHS laws, certain safety-sensitive jobs, functions and operations may be carried out only by a “qualified” person, defined as being knowledgeable of the work, the hazards involved and the means to control the hazards, by reason of education, training, experience or a combination thereof. Please complete the following Checklist to verify that each designated task is being performed and that the person performing it is a qualified person.