A competent person is required to perform several critical safety inspections and monitoring tasks during excavation work. These include:

• Daily inspections: A competent person must conduct daily inspections of excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems for any evidence of potential cave-ins, failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. These inspections must occur before work starts and as needed throughout the shift. Inspections are also required after every rainstorm or hazard-increasing event, but only when employee exposure can be reasonably anticipated.
• Water accumulation: If water is controlled or prevented from accumulating using water removal equipment, a competent person must monitor the equipment and operations to ensure they function correctly. Additionally, if excavation work interrupts natural drainage, a competent person must inspect the site, especially after heavy rains, to ensure compliance with safety measures related to water hazards.
• Atmospheric testing: In areas where oxygen deficiency or hazardous atmospheres are present or expected (e.g., landfill or hazardous substance storage areas), a competent person must test the atmosphere before employees enter excavations deeper than 4 feet. When controls are used to reduce atmospheric contaminants, regular testing by a competent person is necessary to maintain a safe atmosphere.
• Structural Ramp Design: Structural ramps used solely by employees as a means of access or egress from excavations shall be designed by a competent person. Structural ramps used for access or egress of equipment shall be designed by a competent person qualified in structural design, and shall be constructed in accordance with the design.

If a competent person identifies any hazardous conditions, exposed employees must be removed from the area until the necessary safety precautions are implemented. [1] [2] [1] [1] [1] [1] [1] [3]