Qualified Electrical Worker Certification Program
Qualified Electrical Person / Worker Certification Program
OBJECTIVES
- To help workers avoid shock, fire and arc flash related accidents.
- To provide a platform and process to help meet compliance with OSHA CFR Subpart S 1910 and NFPA by providing:o Electrical safety and arc flash 70E trainingo Testing and evaluation of worker electrical safety skills on the tasks they performo Testing and evaluation of worker electrical safety knowledge on the tasks they perform
- To identify which tasks individual workers are proficient at and which ones they need more training in order to work safely.
- To provide training to those workers that need it in order to work safely.
This Qualified Electrical Worker Certification & Electrical Safety Training Program helps with OSHA Subpart S, 1910 and NFPA requirements for “Qualified Persons”. OSHA states that only a “Qualified Person” is permitted to work on or near exposed energized parts and that a “Qualified Person” is “one who has received training in and has demonstrated skills and knowledge in the construction and operation of electric equipment and installations and the hazards involved.”
Establishing “Qualified Person” status is mandatory for all individuals exposed to the hazards of electrical energy who are employed at US company locations including wholly-owned facilities as well as affiliate and leased facilities where the company has responsibility for facility operations through an operating (or similar) agreement.
This program also helps provide training and information to workers to help them work safely around electrical equipment and avoid accidents.
WORK PROCESS
1. PRE-VISIT DATA COLLECTION & NEEDS ASSESSMENT
The first step in developing a Qualified Electrical Worker Certification Program is to identify the types of skills required to meet the objectives of maintenance, operation, and project work on all electrical equipment. This includes identifying what tasks are performed by the maintenance or installation technicians, what specific equipment they are working on, and what tools they might be using.
This process is directed by an electrical safety subject matter expert and is completed by phone interviews and exchange of data that might include a listing of electrical equipment, maintenance logs, or specification sheets for the equipment being worked on.
This information is required in order to develop a training and testing program that is specific to the workers, the tasks they perform, the equipment they perform them on, and the tools they use to work on the equipment.
2. SITE VISIT & EVALUATION
Although the core information can be established during the pre-visit data collection stage, an on-site visit is normally required in order to fully understand and prepare the program. During this visit, a Martin Technical electrical safety expert will survey the equipment and workers in order to provide further information and details about the work being done at the facility and in order to identify any gaps.
This process may include taking photographs of electrical equipment for training purposes, interviewing maintenance technicians and managers, reviewing company electrical safety documentation and processes, and identifying work processes.
3. FINAL TRAINING & TESTING DEVELOPMENT
After all data and information have been collected, a Martin Technical electrical safety expert will develop testing and training materials specific to your needs.
4. TRAINING, TESTING & EVALUATION FOR ELECTRICAL QUALIFIED WORKER / PERSON STATUS
TRAINING
All training is conducted live and is customized to the needs of each customer. Training includes both core electrical safety knowledge and practices as well as specific equipment and tasks associated with the workforce and facility.
Core electrical safety training includes:
- OSHA, NFPA 70E and relates codes and standards
- Effects of Electrical Hazards & Accidents
- Identifying Electrical Hazards
- Creating a Safe Work Environment (Work Permits, PPE, Approach Distances…)
- Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements
Equipment and Task-specific training includes
- Compliance with company safety program standards
- LOTO procedures for each piece of equipment
- Equipment and task-specific work and safety processes
TESTING & EVALUATION
Workers tested and evaluated on their skills and knowledge of electrical safety in the following manners:
- Interviews
- Written Tests
- Skill Demonstrations
Interviews
The interview questions are compilations of questions that will assist the evaluator in determining the knowledge level and comfort level of the workers as it relates to electrical safety.
Written Tests
Written tests are used to help measure a worker’s knowledge about general electrical safety information and procedures.
Skill Demonstrations
Workers will be asked to demonstrate their skills in working in a safe manner while working on or around electrical equipment by performing such tasks as properly locking out / tagging out a piece of equipment, using a multimeter, tracing a circuit, or properly identifying and using PPE.
DOCUMENTATION & CERTIFICATION
Electrical Qualified Person Validation Sheet
This will be provided for each worker in order to identify what tasks and electrical equipment they have been observed and tested as having the skill and knowledge to work safely. The document is signed by the Martin Technical electrical safety expert.
Electrical Safety Training Certificate and CEUs
Each worker completing the electrical safety training sessions will be provided with a certificate of completion and 0.1 CEUs for every hour of the course completed.
Documentation Controls
Each worker should have a file at their place of employment documenting their qualification status, background, training, and any other certifications or qualifications. Martin Technical will retain copies of the Qualified Person Validation and Electrical Safety Training as a third-party source.
NOTE:
Please note the Disclaimer & Notice
DELIVERABLES
The following are the deliverables upon completion of the program:
- Training on Core Electrical Safety and Equipment / Task Specific Processes
- Certificate of Training including CEUs for each individual
- Skills and Knowledge Testing on Electrical Safety Practices
- Certificate of Competency for all tasks passed for each individual
- Program platform for continued tracking of Qualified Workers
DISCLAIMER & NOTICE
DISCLAIMER & NOTICE FOR ELECTRICAL QUALIFIED PERSON / WORKER CERTIFICATION
OSHA requires that only a “Qualified Person” may work on or around exposed energized equipment and defines that a “Qualified Person” as is “one who has received training in and has demonstrated skills and knowledge in the construction and operation of electric equipment and installations and the hazards involved.”
While OSHA defines what a “Qualified Person” is, they do not define specifically “how” to determine if a worker is a “Qualified Person” or what specific testing or observations are required and leave this decision to each employer. There are no legal requirements on determining “Qualified Person” status and therefore, it’s up to each employer to determine what their acceptable standards and values are for determining “Qualified Person” status.
Employers may choose to use the Martin Technical Qualified Electrical Worker Certification & Electrical Safety Training Program as their adopted program and standards for meeting OSHA “Qualified Person” requirements, however, Martin Technical makes no claims, guarantees, or warranties on the program fulfilling any OSHA standards or regulations. It is up to each employer/customer to determine if this Martin Technical program meets their requirements for “Qualified Person” status.
