First I want to say thanks to those of you who attended my audio-conference on CSA Z462 last week. Let’s look at how CSA Z462 addresses a key element of the Electric Safety Program (ESP): who’s “qualified” to work on or about electrical equipment.

Editor’s Note: The CSA Z462 “qualified person” standards are parallel to those included in NFPA 70E. So this article is relevant even if you’re not Canadian.

‘Qualified Persons’ to Work on or about Electrical Equipment

Electrical workers perform two distinct live work methods: working directly on energized electrical equipment and conductors, and live testing and troubleshooting. Each of these tasks requires different approaches to hazard analysis, risk assessment and authorized work permits.

Working directly on energized fixed electrical equipment and moveable conductors requires a safe live work permit signed by the officers of the corporation, such as the CEO or similar person of authority. There must be a compelling reason not to have a planned outage, and the risk of de-energizing must be greater than the risk of planned outage.

In Ontario, when the installation, i.e. fixed equipment or conductors, is operating at a nominal voltage of 300 or more, a suitably equipped, competent person able to recognize the hazards and perform rescue operations—including artificial respiration—must be available and capable of seeing the worker performing the live work. But this competent person doesn’t have to be present for live testing and troubleshooting.

To be considered ‘qualified’ to work directly on energized electrical equipment and conductors and/or perform live troubleshooting safely, an electrical worker’s training must go well beyond simple awareness. He must be trained and knowledgeable in the construction and operation of the equipment or a specific task. He must also be trained to recognize and avoid the electrical hazards associated with that equipment or task. This important role requires skill, knowledge and leadership, as the qualified worker is also responsible for controlling the actions of non-qualified workers and ensuring they work safely.

What ‘Qualified Persons’ Must Know About

Qualified persons must also be familiar with:

• Special precautionary techniques based on the tasks being undertaken;
• Personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE and PPC);
• Insulating and shielding materials;
• Grounding equipment;
• Insulated mats, tools and test equipment;
• Skills and techniques for distinguishing exposed energized parts from other parts of electrical equipment;
• Skills and techniques for determining the nominal voltage of exposed energized parts;
• Safe approach distances and the corresponding voltages to which he will be exposed;
• The decision-making process for determining the degree and extent of the hazard, the job planning required to avoid the hazard and the PPE necessary to perform the task;
• The duties of a supervisor;
• Lockout/tagout (LOTO) and test-before-touch procedures;
• Procedures for ensuring permits are completed and instructions followed;
• Procedures for enforcing company policy and safe work procedures; and
• Any company-specific requirements that may apply

Conclusion

Keep in mind that qualified is more than simply a label to stamp on individuals. The determination of qualified status is based on the hazards associated with specific tasks. So it’s possible for the same person to be considered qualified to use certain equipment and methods and unqualified to use others. Whether you’re following CSA Z462, NFPA 70E or some other electrical safety standard, make sure you incorporate the appropriate elements of the qualified person rules into your own ESP.

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY TOOLS AND RESOURCES

For Safety Talks and other materials you can use to train your workers about electrical hazards, see SafetySmart Online.

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