Non-electricians operating switch gear

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jim dungar

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PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Neither NFPA70E nor the NEC uses the word electrician at all.
They both say that a qualified person is one who has been 'trained'.

It is up to your company's Electrical Safe Work Practices program.
 

Jraef

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Electrical Engineer
Neither NFPA70E nor the NEC uses the word electrician at all.
They both say that a qualified person is one who has been 'trained'.

It is up to your company's Electrical Safe Work Practices program.
OSHA however says if you OPEN the equipment when it is still live or are otherwise exposed to LIVE equipment, you must be a "qualified electrical worker", or words to that effect, which generally is taken to mean "electrician", but still, just BEING an electrician does not automatically make you "qualified" either. That's where it gets very specific as to WHY a company must have an Electrical Safe Work Practices program..

Then if you are not qualified to work on it, but still have to interact with live equipment, 1910.332(b)(2) requires that you still must receive specific safety training to recognize and avoid electrical safety hazards associated with your task and risk. So can the "janitor" flip a breaker on and off? Sure, if he has had the commensurate electrical safety training associated with that task as part of the overall company's Electrical Safe Work Practices program. Can a guest worker doing painting who has NOT been trained? No.
 
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