The original Post stated:
1) (not apprentices and no education in electrical theory)
2) troubleshooting electrical problems on up to 480 volts.
3) Companies policy and interview process for hiring made them comfortable with the persons knowledge
Company's job interviewers are often not trained in the electrical field and may not be qualified to judge who is properly trained to work on or near live electrical equipment. Often, companies find out after the fact that their practices violate state laws (OSHA REQUIREMENTS) and are heavily fined but, it's to late for the individual who is fatally injured.
Trouble shooting requires one to work on LIVE electrical circuits, this is the most hazardous. One must have the knowledge in all the different practices, requirements and hazards involved and the safe guarding required to avoid the hazards. If, just one part is left out it can be fatal to the individual. Below is taken from the NFPA 70E and is only the training part. Other required knowledge is:
2-1.3.3 Flash Hazard Analysis.
2-1.3.3.2 Flash Protection Boundary.
2-1.3.3.3 Protective Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment
for Application with a Flash Hazard Analysis
2-1.3.4 Approach Boundaries to Live Parts.
If an accident occurs with one of the individuals the company is allowing to work on LIVE electrical equipment I would think OSHA would see if the company policy and interview process follows the letter of the law and will hold the company accountable.
Taken From:
NFPA 70E - Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces
2000 Edition
1-5 Training Requirements.
1-5.1 Safety Training. The training requirements contained in this section shall apply to employees who face a risk of electrical hazard that is not reduced to a safe level by the electrical installation requirements of Part I. Such employees shall be trained to understand the specific hazards associated with electrical energy. They shall be trained in safety-related work practices and procedural requirements as necessary to provide protection from the electrical hazards associated with their respective job or task assignments. Employees shall be trained to identify and understand the relationship between electrical hazards and possible injury.
1-5.2 Type of Training. The training required by this section shall be classroom or on-the-job type, or a combination of the two. The degree of training provided shall be determined by the risk to the employee.
1-5.3 Emergency Procedures. Employees working on or near exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts shall be trained in methods of release of victims from contact with exposed energized conductors or circuit parts. They shall be regularly instructed in methods of first aid and emergency procedures, such as approved methods of resuscitation, if their duties warrant such training.
1-5.4 Employee Training.
1-5.4.1 Qualified Persons. A qualified person shall be trained and knowledgeable of the construction and operation of equipment or a specific work method, and be trained to recognize and avoid the electrical hazards that might be present with respect to that equipment or work method. Such persons shall also be familiar with the proper use of special 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 equipment and methods but still be unqualified for others. Such persons permitted to work within limited approach of exposed energized conductors and circuit parts shall, at a minimum, be additionally trained in all of the following:
(a) The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized parts from other parts of electric equipment
(b) The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed energized parts
(c) The approach distances specified in Table 2-1.3.4 of Part II and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be exposed
(d) 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 NOTE: An employee who is undergoing on-the-job training and who, in the course of such training, has demonstrated an ability to perform duties safely at his or her level of training and who is under the direct supervision of a qualified person shall be considered to be a qualified person for the performance of those duties.
1) (not apprentices and no education in electrical theory)
2) troubleshooting electrical problems on up to 480 volts.
3) Companies policy and interview process for hiring made them comfortable with the persons knowledge
Company's job interviewers are often not trained in the electrical field and may not be qualified to judge who is properly trained to work on or near live electrical equipment. Often, companies find out after the fact that their practices violate state laws (OSHA REQUIREMENTS) and are heavily fined but, it's to late for the individual who is fatally injured.
Trouble shooting requires one to work on LIVE electrical circuits, this is the most hazardous. One must have the knowledge in all the different practices, requirements and hazards involved and the safe guarding required to avoid the hazards. If, just one part is left out it can be fatal to the individual. Below is taken from the NFPA 70E and is only the training part. Other required knowledge is:
2-1.3.3 Flash Hazard Analysis.
2-1.3.3.2 Flash Protection Boundary.
2-1.3.3.3 Protective Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment
for Application with a Flash Hazard Analysis
2-1.3.4 Approach Boundaries to Live Parts.
If an accident occurs with one of the individuals the company is allowing to work on LIVE electrical equipment I would think OSHA would see if the company policy and interview process follows the letter of the law and will hold the company accountable.
Taken From:
NFPA 70E - Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces
2000 Edition
1-5 Training Requirements.
1-5.1 Safety Training. The training requirements contained in this section shall apply to employees who face a risk of electrical hazard that is not reduced to a safe level by the electrical installation requirements of Part I. Such employees shall be trained to understand the specific hazards associated with electrical energy. They shall be trained in safety-related work practices and procedural requirements as necessary to provide protection from the electrical hazards associated with their respective job or task assignments. Employees shall be trained to identify and understand the relationship between electrical hazards and possible injury.
1-5.2 Type of Training. The training required by this section shall be classroom or on-the-job type, or a combination of the two. The degree of training provided shall be determined by the risk to the employee.
1-5.3 Emergency Procedures. Employees working on or near exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts shall be trained in methods of release of victims from contact with exposed energized conductors or circuit parts. They shall be regularly instructed in methods of first aid and emergency procedures, such as approved methods of resuscitation, if their duties warrant such training.
1-5.4 Employee Training.
1-5.4.1 Qualified Persons. A qualified person shall be trained and knowledgeable of the construction and operation of equipment or a specific work method, and be trained to recognize and avoid the electrical hazards that might be present with respect to that equipment or work method. Such persons shall also be familiar with the proper use of special 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 equipment and methods but still be unqualified for others. Such persons permitted to work within limited approach of exposed energized conductors and circuit parts shall, at a minimum, be additionally trained in all of the following:
(a) The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized parts from other parts of electric equipment
(b) The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed energized parts
(c) The approach distances specified in Table 2-1.3.4 of Part II and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be exposed
(d) 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 NOTE: An employee who is undergoing on-the-job training and who, in the course of such training, has demonstrated an ability to perform duties safely at his or her level of training and who is under the direct supervision of a qualified person shall be considered to be a qualified person for the performance of those duties.
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