Electrical Supervisor

[Wednesday]

:x Hello, I am looking for a few opinions on this scenario. At my work we have large areas of Bussway or Bussduct installations. My question is can a maintenance person with no formal electrical training at all (non licensed and no apprenticeship training) plug in a tap can or buss plug into the Bussway or Bussduct. These maintenance people have been trained on this specific job task by the manufacturer of the Bussway or Bussduct. They have also been trained to recognize the hazards invloved including wearing the correct PPE but they are not licensed electrcians or electrical apprentice.

Are they considered a qualified person because they have recived specific training on this task?

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[acrwc10]

I would say NO because they may have been trained to plug in the tap or can, But not trained on the load calcs or what it is feeding or all the other variables down stream of that tap.also the hazards they may be creating.

 

[charlie b]

I think that it is a matter for the local authorities, and in particular the licensing regulations in your state.

 

[petersonra]

I would say conditionally yes.

If all they are doing is installing something properly selected and sized by someone else, they are clearly doing work they are trained to do.

Unless, of course, there are restrictive licensing rules in the local jurisdiction that prohibit it.

IMO, the argument that they are unqualified because they do not have the skills to select the proper components only makes sense if they are the ones doing the selection of the components.

 

[e150club]

if they are working for a licensed elec. wouldent they be apprentices?

 

[charlie b]

They would not. That is because an "apprentice" is a job that itself requires a license. It also comprises a commitment, or at least an understanding, that the apprentice intends to learn the trade under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master, and eventually become a licensed journeyman or master. If a maintenance worker is helping to perform an electrical task, that fact alone does not make the person an apprentice.

 

[tallgirl]

They would not. That is because an "apprentice" is a job that itself requires a license. It also comprises a commitment, or at least an understanding, that the apprentice intends to learn the trade under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master, and eventually become a licensed journeyman or master. If a maintenance worker is helping to perform an electrical task, that fact alone does not make the person an apprentice.

However ... if at all possible it might be advantageous for them to apply for a license so that any work they are doing which might fall under the heading of "working under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master" could be applied to their licensing requirements should they choose to "move up".

 

[charlie b]

However ... if at all possible it might be advantageous for them to apply for a license so that any work they are doing which might fall under the heading of "working under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master" could be applied to their licensing requirements should they choose to "move up".

Actually, I have a license as an "Electrical Trainee" (that what it is called in WA State) for a very similar reason. However, I have yet to come across a situation in which I could use it. I suppose the word is out on me, and no master would get near me with a ten foot amp probe. :grin: So I am a licensed apprentice with no hours to my credit.

 

[kingpb]

Although this may seem oversimplified, the situation described is no different then someone changing a light bulb. Just because you are trained to leave the switch off, take out the old one, and install the new one, doesn't mean you have to understand how the fixture is installed and wired, or how a light bulb actually works.

If it is a union shop, then the IBEW may be interested, but as long as there are no compnay rules stating who does what; if they are trained to install, and know the safety requirements I think it would be difficult to oppose them doing it.

 

[jmd445]

As a maintenance person, I am looking at this from a different aspect. They are specifically task trained to install the buss plug, they are the most qualified to perform the job function.

They are not sizing, fusing or wiring it. Simply installing it. Are they required to be licensed? I don't know. Are they working with/under someone else's license?

As a mfg's rep, are they installing, assisting installing, who is actually performing the work? PS I've been wrong before.