Choosing competent-person training starts with the work you will supervise. SAFETY PAYS helps NYC construction teams compare relevant safety courses at our Long Island City, Queens training location and plan training around the hazards on their jobsites.
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What does “competent person” mean in construction?
Under OSHA’s construction definition, a competent person has the ability to recognize jobsite hazards and the authority to have them corrected promptly. The employer must match that person’s abilities and authority to the work being performed. Completing a general safety course alone does not establish that role for every task.
DOB requirements when the Construction Superintendent is absent
Through December 31, 2026, DOB permits a licensed Construction Superintendent (CS) to designate a competent person (CP) for a major or non-major building job under Building Code Section 3301.13.12. The designated CP must be present whenever active work occurs while the CS is away and must hold a valid Supervisor SST card.
The competent person must:
- Follow the Construction Superintendent’s instructions.
- Recognize unsafe, hazardous, dangerous or unsanitary conditions and promptly take corrective action.
- Immediately report jobsite incidents and construction- or demolition-related damage to adjoining property to the Construction Superintendent.
- Communicate work instructions and safety directions effectively to everyone working on the site.
The CP’s name and signature must be recorded in the superintendent’s daily log. For a replacement CP, record the date, time, name and signature under BC 3301.13.13. If the CS is absent, the new CP makes the entry and the CS signs and dates it on the next visit. Designating a CP does not reduce the Construction Superintendent’s responsibilities.
January 1, 2027: This DOB CP coverage role ends
Under Local Law 149 of 2021 and DOB’s implementation notice, the competent-person coverage allowance ends on January 1, 2027. From that date, the Construction Superintendent must be on site whenever work is occurring, except for the activities exempted by BC 3301.13.7. If the primary Construction Superintendent cannot be present, a licensed alternate Construction Superintendent must provide coverage in accordance with BC 3301.13.5. A CP cannot continue to cover the superintendent’s absence under this allowance.
This change concerns the DOB role that covers a Construction Superintendent’s absence. OSHA’s separate competent-person requirements continue to apply.
Compare training for your responsibilities
- Supervisor SST: Compare the 62-hour supervisor bundle, 32-hour additional SST package, or 22-hour worker-to-supervisor upgrade, depending on your completed training.
- Site safety knowledge: Explore 40-hour Site Safety and 8-hour Site Safety for NYC construction safety topics.
- Silica exposure: Review our 4-hour respirable crystalline silica course for exposure controls and written plan topics.
- Scaffold work: Review the scaffold courses in our training catalogue and identify whether your duties involve use, erection, dismantling or supervision before selecting a course.
- Confined spaces: Our 8-hour confined space awareness course introduces hazards and role responsibilities. Your employer should identify additional training, procedures or equipment practice needed for the actual work.
These courses support safety knowledge; they do not replace employer designation, relevant experience, task-specific training or authority to correct hazards.
Tell us about the job before you register
Share the type of work, the hazards involved, your assigned responsibilities, existing training cards, preferred language and number of attendees. We can help you compare the courses we offer and plan the next training step.
Training location: 43-49 10th Street, Suite 208, Long Island City, NY 11101. English and Spanish classes are available; confirm availability for your chosen course. See the class calendar for tentative dates, which are subject to sufficient registration.
Request a course and preferred dates or call (212) 301-7667.
Official requirements and references
OSHA construction definitions — 29 CFR 1926.32(f)
NYC DOB Site Safety Training information
DOB notice: Local Law 149 and the January 1, 2027 CP sunset
NYC Building Code 3301.13.12 — Competent person