NC Facilities Manager Requesting Advice

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trsmith

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I'm a licensed electrician in the "unlimited classification" and hold the position of Facilities Manager with our company.

Our Company is not a "Electrical Contracting Company", instead we are manufactures and cover 7 states. With this said, we are constantly making electrical upfits and upgrades --- all of which are performed under my license.

My concern is: we have a few "maintenance departments" that tend to perform electrical upfits without my knowledge or supervision.

Could someone be so kind as to forward me any information that would help me document the importance of "electrical supervision" by a qualified person, specifically in the State of North Carolina? Thanks
 
You should probably have a talk with your insurance company and have them give you a letter stating that they will cover only work that you supervise. Then let management check with their insurance carrier to determine if they will cover work that is installed by persons that are not qualified. When mangement understands the legal and financial risk that they are taking they may decide to do things differently.
 
Thanks for the response. It is very difficult to convey all the realmifications of my request. Our division employees over 3000 employees ---- each maintenance department (staffed with our employees) are under my supervision (while performing any electrical task) ----- yet, we have energetic individuals that like to pursue task "on their own". You may say this is an internal issue, and you are correct. I'm just attempting to approach this being "politically correct" and with documentation. FYI.; I'm not new with the company, actually, I started with the company over 15 years ago ---- so, it is not that I don't have clout ---- just that I'm pooling for any and all type resources to help me address the issue. Thanks.
 
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You can quote the NFPA 70E definition of a "Qualified person"

According to the NFPA 70E, a ?Qualified Person" is one who is trained and knowledgeable of the construction and operation of the equipment or the specific work method, and be trained to recognize the hazards present.

Such persons shall also be familiar with the use of the precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools and test equipment. A person can be considered qualified with respect to certain tasks but still be unqualified for others.

In addition, to be permitted to work within the limited approach of exposed energized conductors and circuit parts the person shall be trained in all of the following:
Qualified employees shall be trained and competent in:
 The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment
 The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts
 The minimum approach distances specified in this section corresponding to the voltages to which the qualified employee will be exposed, and,
 The decision making process necessary to determine the degree and extent of the hazard and the personal protective equipment and job planning necessary to perform the task safely
 
There is an exception:

Quote: "(5) To the installation, construction, maintenance or repair of electrical wiring, devices, appliances or equipment by persons, firms or corporations, upon their own property when such property is not intended at the time for rent, lease, sale or gift, who regularly employ one or more electricians or mechanics for the purpose of installing, maintaining, altering or repairing of electrical wiring, devices or equipment used for the conducting of the business of said persons, firms or corporations;"

The way it looks, they can run wild if they want, do whatever, installations repairs, the corporation needs, in simple terms, they do not need your Lic. or your supervision, however, this does not exempt them, from any required permits, or inspections, any officer of the corporation, can apply for a permit, it is the corporations duty, to hire qualified workers.

What you may consider doing, is setting up a work request form, and require all departments to file this form with your office, this will enable you to track all the projects, you will have to police this system, and if departments do not follow the rules, you will need to use some of that clout.
 
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I agree with Satcom I work for the NC Dept. of Corrections doing maint. and construction and even though I hold electrical lic. I am not requried to be lic. because it is a state department. Also we are not requried to apply for permits for the same reason. When I decided to get my lic. I did every thing on my own,$ for code class,$ for test,renewal and so forth that way they have no controle on my lic. the reason being is some of the building are rented and then any work done must be by a lic. electrican so I will not put my name on the job just to have some one else come behind me two months down the road and do somthing else and if that work goes wrong it is me they would look to.Your company should hold ALL liablity not you. With that many workers there is no way YOU can oversee every thing that is going on.
 
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