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 competent to carry out safely. Here’s a Checklist of all the jobs that federal OHS Regulations require to be performed by a “qualified person.”

Instructions: Under the Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations governing federally regulated workplaces, certain safety-sensitive jobs, functions and operations may be carried out only by a “qualified person,” defined as an individual who has the knowledge, training and experience necessary to be considered as qualified to perform that duty safely and properly. Please complete the following Checklist to verify that each designated item is being performed and that the person performing it is a qualified person.