Bob:
I made that statement (The NEC applies to ALL crafts)on the 2005 NEC forum after having only given it some superficial thought. I made the statement because I was wondering if the city or state inspection division could require the footing contractor to leave provisions for the electrician to connect the Ufer electrode.
Then I changed my mind after some of the responses. But then after I thought more, I came up with a scenario similar to yours where the carpenter blocks access to the electrical panels. Same could be for any craft who violates working spaces and the dedicated spaces above switchboards.
I am sure that we could come up with many scenarios were other crafts have to comply with the NEC... temporary wiring on construction sites comes to mind... extension cords and GFCI?
But as you said, in the end, it will be the Electrical Contractor who gets the red tag... although I can think of some construction scenarios that violate the NEC and there isn't even an electrical contractor for the project.
