Joe,
"the NEC Committee is responsible for rules that will minimize the risk of electricity as a source of electric shock, and as an ignition source of fires and explosions"
Isn't that what building codes are for? Can't a construction electrician do this by adhering to the Code without extensive training on shock, arc and blast? Less expensive and more readily avalable training on PART 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction should cover all most construction electricians need. How many maintenance electricians are monitored by an "official" AHJ? Isn't that where most of the shock, arc and blast injuries and deaths occur? The new definition of AHJ will help some with that, but factories will usually be monitored by OSHA before a municipal AHJ.
"The picture ...shows work done by an "unqualified person" and one who was not aware of correct installation procedures for electrical equipment"
EXACTLY MY POINT. The problem with the installation has to do with training of "correct installation procedures for electrical equipment", not safety. Training a person for work he is not likely to do now or later is time and money spent that is not available for the training he needs now.
"electrocuted because of a lost equipment ground"
If the ground was installed correctly and then became defective, there is a maintenance standard for that (NFPA 70B: Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, 1998 Edition). If it was not installed correctly, that is in violation of the installation standards of the NEC. Where is OSHA Electrical Safety Related Work Practices involved in those?
I probably will not be available to attend the meeting in May. Even if I were, I still see a need to express my opinions in this forum so others who have not made up their minds or may not have given this topic any thought will have more to think about than how much it will cost them for training to keep their qualified workers working because some AHJ interprets a definition broadly.
[This message has been edited by gpowellpec (edited 02-22-2001).]
