To determine if Dave has enough experience to be an excavation competent person, you need to assess whether he meets the definition of a "competent person" as defined by OSHA [1]. A competent person is someone who:

1. Is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings, or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees [1].
2. Has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them [1].

To determine this, consider the following:

• Experience and Knowledge: Does Dave have sufficient training and experience to recognize excavation hazards such as cave-ins, hazardous atmospheres, and unstable structures? 1, 9
• Authority: Has Dave been given the authority to take prompt corrective actions to eliminate hazards? [1]
• Inspections: Can Dave conduct daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems for evidence of situations that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions? [2]
• Soil Classification: Is Dave able to classify soil and rock deposits using visual and manual analysis techniques? 6, 7
• Protective Systems: Does Dave understand the requirements for protective systems, including sloping and benching, support systems, and shield systems? [3]

If Dave meets these criteria, he can be considered a competent person for excavation work. If there are any doubts about Dave's competence, provide him with additional training and supervision until he demonstrates the necessary skills and knowledge.