Who is a qualified person for NFPA 70E?
An NFPA 70E-qualified person is an individual who has demonstrated the necessary skills and knowledge in the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations, and has received safety training to identify, assess, and avoid electrical hazards. This designation is made by the employer and requires the individual to be proficient in safety techniques, the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), specialized tools, and emergency procedures.
- Demonstrated Skills and Knowledge:
The individual must show competence in understanding the equipment’s construction and operation.
- Safety Training:
They must have received specific training to recognize and avoid electrical hazards.
- Familiarity with Safety Measures:
This includes knowledge of special precautionary techniques, proper use of PPE, insulated tools, and test equipment.
- Hazard Identification:
A qualified person can distinguish energized parts from other equipment components and determine nominal voltages.
- Risk Assessment:
They can plan work, identify hazards, assess risks, and select appropriate controls using the hierarchy of controls.
- Employer Designation:
The employer is the one to officially designate an employee as a qualified person, based on demonstrated competency.
- Training:Specialized training in electrical safety and hazard recognition is mandatory.
- On-the-Job Experience:The designation often requires subsequent on-the-job training and supervision.
- Validation of Competency:Employers must validate an individual’s skills and knowledge before they can be considered qualified for specific tasks.
- Documentation:All training and qualifications must be properly documented.
- Specificity of Qualification:A person can be qualified for some equipment or tasks but not others, depending on their employer’s training program.
- Employer Responsibility:The employer bears the ultimate responsibility for determining an individual’s qualification status.