Before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a:

• A. Competent person
• B. Engineer
• C. Supervisor
• D. Operator

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is who is qualified to judge the safety of rigging gear before it’s used. A competent person is someone who has the training, knowledge, and authority to identify damage or defects and decide if the sling or attachments are safe to use. They look for wear and failure signs like frayed or worn fibers, cracks, distortion, corrosion, bent or missing parts, damaged hooks, or other issues that could compromise strength. This person also knows when to retire gear from service or tag it out if defects are found. While engineers handle design and specifications, routine pre-use checks aren’t typically done by engineers unless an engineering assessment is needed. Supervisors or operators can perform inspections, but only when they are qualified as the competent person with the proper training. The emphasis is on having someone who is trained and authorized to evaluate safety and take action if issues are found.