Qualifications for electrical workers.

[wtucker]

One problem, how do you qualify the existing work force? We have very experienced electricians, but no formal training or documentation(20 -30 years in the trade)??QUOTE]

Maybe they've been doing it WRONG for 20-30 years (what FR clothing were they issued in 1981?). You could give the old-timers an abridged course, covering everything in 70E Art. 110.6(D), followed by test (110.6(E)). The test could be a skill set check list. For instance:

1. Identify the nominal system voltage in this equipment.

2. Demarcate the Limited Approach Boundary and explain the purpose of marking it off, who may be allowed into it and under what conditions.

3. Identify the Flash Protection Boundary, then go over to that job box and select and properly don the PPE that must be worn within that boundary.

4. Identify the Restricted Approach Boundary and Prohibited Approach Boundary and explain the conditions under which someone may be within each (that is, they need to have been trained to work on energized conductors, need to have done a risk analysis, and need to be properly wearing the appropriate PPE). Go over to that job box and select and don the appropriate PPE for entering the Restricted Approach Boundary.

5. Go over to the job box, select an appropriate voltage detection device, describe its limitations and demonstrate how to use it on that piece of equipment. This demonstration should include proper removal of covers as well as the testing procedure.

Don't ignore retraining on seldom-done tasks required by 110.6(D)(1)(d). But that could be an on-site walk-through or talk-through (a tailgate talk) of the procedure to remind guys of what could go wrong and to focus their attention on each step in the proper order. Think of it as "reminding," not "retraining."

 

[cornbread]

I'm not too concerned with generic 70E training, we put our guys thru a training class each year that covers 70E. I'm struggling with the equipment specific training. Being in a old plant I have so much variety in equipment. For instance 480 volt subs (draw out breakers westinghouse, GE, Siemens..... with a variety of retrofitted trip devices). From what I read in 70e if you have been qualified on GE gear, that does not make you qualified to work on westinghouse (even though they are esentially the same). In my reading of 70E i'm thinking I need a SOP for each type of draw out breaker that covers the multitude of trip devices on each, followed with specific OJT / Hands on operation in order to be qualified. Does this seem reasonable or i'm I getting bogged down in too much details??

I used the 480 volt draw out breakers as the example, but I also have the same problem with drives, MCC's, lighting panels, UPS's, generators, ATS's. To reiterate, I'm thinking I need a SOP nad training on each piece of equipment?

 

[zog]

I'm not too concerned with generic 70E training, we put our guys thru a training class each year that covers 70E. I'm struggling with the equipment specific training. Being in a old plant I have so much variety in equipment. For instance 480 volt subs (draw out breakers westinghouse, GE, Siemens..... with a variety of retrofitted trip devices). From what I read in 70e if you have been qualified on GE gear, that does not make you qualified to work on westinghouse (even though they are esentially the same). In my reading of 70E i'm thinking I need a SOP for each type of draw out breaker that covers the multitude of trip devices on each, followed with specific OJT / Hands on operation in order to be qualified. Does this seem reasonable or i'm I getting bogged down in too much details??

I used the 480 volt draw out breakers as the example, but I also have the same problem with drives, MCC's, lighting panels, UPS's, generators, ATS's. To reiterate, I'm thinking I need a SOP nad training on each piece of equipment?

This is exactly what I used to do. I would come to your plant and develop SOP's and a hand on training program specific to your equipment, develop the course, and then train all of your guys. Lot's of hands on training involved, all equipment specific. If you like I can recommend some people that can do this for you via PM.

 

[billsnuff]

zog

zog

This is exactly what I used to do. I would come to your plant and develop SOP's and a hand on training program specific to your equipment, develop the course, and then train all of your guys. Lot's of hands on training involved, all equipment specific. If you like I can recommend some people that can do this for you via PM.

What do you do to get the buy-in of the trainees?

Are they part of the development process?

 

[zog]

What do you do to get the buy-in of the trainees?

Are they part of the development process?

Not following what you mean by that?

 

[cornbread]

Zog or any one else, Feel free to PM me with firms that can help quailify workers.

 

[Wire_nutz]

What about the maintenance mechanics that enter panels to reset overloads or reset vfds? I know they shouldn't be but we all know they do. How do you go about "qualifying" these guys? Unfortunately this practice will not stop. This is all very tough and interesting to comply especially in a big factory. Were getting better but still seem to be spinning our wheels.

I totally understand what you are talking about when it comes to maintance mechanics. I used to work for a fortune 500 company as an industrial electrician that is a global world leader in producing industrial controls. Many of the maintenance mechanics ?electrician wannabees?.
This is only one of many incidents. I was working with two maintenance mechanics and a motor overload tripped on a small motor on an automated production line. The line supervisor and the 2- maintenance mechanics just wanted the overload reset without checking to get the line operational again. Approximately 2 hours the overload trips again; now most likely a problem exists but was not allowed to troubleshoot, just reset again. The motor tripped another 3 or 4 times in shorter intervals. The maintenance mechanics convinced the line supervisor just to reset the overloads. Eventually the motor overloads burned up and it was due to the electrical mechanical brake not functioning properly.