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 the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate these hazards [1].

To determine if Dave is a competent person you must evaluate his knowledge, training, and experience to determine if he is capable of recognizing excavation hazards and has the authority to correct them.

Factors to consider include:

• Hazard Identification: Can Dave identify potential cave-ins, hazardous atmospheres, water accumulation, and other risks associated with excavations 1, 4?
• Corrective Actions: Does Dave know how to implement appropriate protective systems, such as sloping, shoring, and shielding, to mitigate these hazards 1, 9?
• Authority: Is Dave authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate hazards [1]?
• Inspections: Can Dave perform daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems for evidence of a situation that could result in possible cave-ins, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions [2]?

If Dave can demonstrate these capabilities, he may be considered a competent person. If there are any changes to the excavation conditions, Dave needs to re-evaluate and reclassify the excavation as necessary [3].