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Joined: Aug 2007
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Bobbysr Offline OP
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I am trying to find out if anyone know specific requirements concerning when a electrican must have a qualified indivual working with him. I look at NFPA-70E , but was unable to find any reference as to condition which would requirement more than one person to preform certain task. common sense says that you should when working Hot(Troubleshooting, ie testing for voltage) but most times, document reference usually work better than common sense.
bobby

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I am not sure what the current rule is but 40 years ago IBM said you never worked with energized circuits without someone there who knew how to turn off the power.
I assume that is still a reasonable policy.

Last edited by gfretwell; 08/09/07 11:43 PM.

Greg Fretwell
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Hi Bobby,
Welcome to ECN, mate. cool
Only advice I can give you is look at the state laws in your particular state, no doubt the City has thier own ideas on who should be working with whom.
As sad as that sounds, it might be reality.
I'm not entirely sure if you are the qualified one or the guy that wants to work with a qualified person.
I would tend to think that any person working with a "Qualified Person" would have to be under thier supervision, directly.
Sorry, that is all I can do to help mate.

Joined: Sep 2005
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Zog Offline
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The only guidelines for when 2 persons are required are from OSHA and apply to certian tasks >600V.


MV/HV Testing Specialist, "BKRMAN"
Joined: Mar 2005
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It's my understanding that OSHA requires 2 qualified personnel, and both with current CPR/AED certification, whenever work is being done on or around energized circuits. But it's been about 2 months since I looked this up, so I might be confusing it with a NAVOSH regulation. It's definitely a NAVOSH regulation to have an electrical safety board posted, with rope, blanket, hook, gloves, goggles and CPR instructions in all areas where electrical work is performed.

I've been unable to ever find a quantitative description of what constitutes a "qualified" person, though.

Last edited by SteveFehr; 09/07/07 05:33 PM.
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Zog Offline
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Def of a qualified person is in the NFPA 70E. OSHA has a requirement for CPR trained person "available" when doing electrical work >50V 1910.269(b), but nothing about AED's.

Like I mentioned earlier, there is no 2 person requirement for <600V in OSHA, there should be, but there is not.


MV/HV Testing Specialist, "BKRMAN"
Joined: Mar 2005
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The NFPA 70E definition is still not a quantified definition, though, as it's far too vague and completely subjective- if I a random guy off the street and gave him a 5 minute orientation including how the electrical system was installed and runs, topped off with a few safety notes, he could be qualified by the NEC definition, but clearly still not qualified in reality.

Originally Posted by NEC
Qualified Person. One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training on the hazards involved.


I agree that there should be a 2 person rule for ALL electrical work; I'm astonished there isn't.

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Zog Offline
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There is more to it than that. According to the NFPA 70E, a “Qualified Person" is one who is trained and knowledgeable of the construction and operation of the equipment or the specific work method, and be trained to recognize the hazards present.

Such persons shall also be familiar with the use of the precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools and test equipment. A person can be considered qualified with respect to certain tasks but still be unqualified for others.

In addition, to be permitted to work within the limited approach of exposed energized conductors and circuit parts the person shall be trained in all of the following:
Qualified employees shall be trained and competent in:
&#61607; The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment
&#61607; The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts
&#61607; The minimum approach distances specified in this section corresponding to the voltages to which the qualified employee will be exposed, and,
&#61607; The decision making process necessary to determine the degree and extent of the hazard and the personal protective equipment and job planning necessary to perform the task safely


MV/HV Testing Specialist, "BKRMAN"

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