Electrically Qualified Person

Electrically Qualified Person

OSHA has long required employers to evaluate the workplace for electrical hazards. Most companies are familiar with possible shock hazards and know that OSHA requires all qualified workers be properly trained to work on or near electrical equipment. The current standard od measure is the 2018 edition of the NFPA70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

However, many managers may be unaware that OSHA also requires so-called unqualified personnel to be trained to recognize and avoid electrical hazards. These workers, including non electrical maintenance personnel, painters, cleanup crews, etc. and are not expected to work on electrical equipment, but they must receive enough training to ensure their safety and the safety of others in the facility when the possible exposure to a live electrical condition exists.

Who’s Qualified; Who Isn’t?

NFPA 70E defines a qualified person as one who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and has received safety training to recognize hazards involved in live electrical services. The key points of this definition are how knowledgeable qualified and, unqualified persons who risk exposure, are about the equipment they are exposed to. It is fundamental to be able to recognize electrical operated equipment such as electrical panels, electrical / mechanical control panels, electrical means of disconnect, electrical distribution and electrical primary gear. A trained person will have received the necessary introduction to reading voltage labels and panel designations and recognize when qualified persons have set up boundaries to a live work area and are engaged in applying electrical PPE. In addition to helping to prevent accidents, these skills are critical to designate a person’s qualification records in the event OSHA performs an inspection.

A person is “Qualified” if: They have the skills to read external electrical labeling, have and use the necessary electrical PPE designated by a label and uses the knowledge to apply proper electrical testing and electrical service experience.

• Demonstrated skills and knowledge about the equipment, safety policies and procedures.
• Demonstration is documented.
• Has received electrical safety training.

It is your responsibility to issue safety-related work practices and train your employees to implement them.  Any employees who face the risk of electrical hazard must be trained. These employees be trained to understand the specific hazards associated with electrical energy. This means they must be trained in safety-related work practices and requirements necessary to protect themselves from the electrical hazards associated with their jobs or tasks.

Power Distribution Solutions, LLC can provide all the training to make sure your workers are trained to identify and understand the relationship between electrical hazards and possible injury. If you are interested in learning more about how a worker can train to become an electrically qualified person, give us a call at 770-732-8824 or email us at leeubanks@pds-heatseeker.com.

If you are looking for a quality infrared electrical testing enterprise offering a diversified toolbox of solutions for systems dependability, systems operating programs, and systems safety standards…you found it. Give us a call today at 770-732-8824 and see what Power Distribution Solutions, LLC can do for you!