511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15

Sections

11-3. Personnel Required Qualification/Training.

Electrical Safety Training

Employees exposed to electrical hazards must identify hazards and understand safety-related work practices.
Training must be provided by an electrically qualified source and may be classroom-based, on-the-job, or a combination.
Supervisors must identify risks to each employee and determine the type and extent of the training.

Qualified Persons (QPs), Electrical

QPs must be trained according to NFPA 70E and have verifiable credentials related to electrical safety.
In absence of licensing requirements, local laws apply if approved by the USACE supervisor/KO or COR after AHJ evaluation.
QPs must be competent in the use of safety equipment and techniques for working near energized parts and demonstrate knowledge in voltage testing and safety planning.

Unqualified Persons

Those at risk of shock and arc flash hazards must be trained in electrical safety-related practices for their safety.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

11-2. Electrical Qualified Persons (QPs) must have verifiable credentials related to electrical safety and _____.

be trained according to NFPA 70E

graduate the OSHA 30-Hour Electrical Safety Course

at least 5 years of electrical experience

approved by USACE project managers

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 11-3 (a.–c.).

11-3. Personnel Required Qualification/Training. (a.–c.).

a.  Electrical Safety Training.  All employees exposed to electrical hazards, to include QPs and Unqualified Persons, must be trained to identify and understand the hazards associated with electrical energy, to include possible injury.  Training must include safety-related work practices and procedural requirements, as necessary, to provide protection from the electrical hazards associated with their respective job or task assignments.  (11-3.a)

(1)  Training must be provided by an electrically qualified source to the level of work being performed.

(2)  Training may be an interactive classroom (virtual or live), on-the-job, or a combination of the two.

(3)  Supervisors must identify the risks to each employee and determine the type and extent of the training.

b.  Qualified Persons (QPs), Electrical.  QPs must demonstrate the skills and knowledge related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of electrical equipment and installations, and receive relevant safety training to recognize, avoid, and control associated hazards that might be present with respect to that equipment, the work method, and job or task assignments.  (11-3.b)

Note. A person can be considered qualified with respect to certain equipment and tasks, but still be unqualified for others.

(1)  All QPs must be trained, at a minimum, according to NFPA 70E requirements and procedures.

(2)  QPs that install and/or remove electric conductors, equipment, or raceways, or manipulate cables must have verifiable credentials and be familiar with applicable code and electrical safety requirements.  Verifiable credentials consist of national, state, or local certifications or licenses that a Master or Journeyman Electrician may hold, or for USACE employees, USACE-sponsored local training programs (for example, hydropower training program, navigation training program) depending on the work being performed. Such QPs must be trained to the level of duties as assigned.  All training programs must be approved by the AHJ and be properly documented.  All credentials must be submitted to the USACE supervisor for approval or to the KO or COR for acceptance.

(3)  Exception to paragraph 11-3(b)(2).  In work locations where the state, host nation, province, territory, commonwealth, or tribal sovereign nation does not require licensing for QPs, it is permissible to make an exception to the requirement for documented and validated licensing and apply the local licensing laws over the work location provided the following conditions are met:

(a)  The contract employer submits the local laws governing licensing to the USACE supervisor for approval or for the KO or COR for acceptance.

(b)  The USACE supervisor/KO or COR submits the documentation to the AHJ to evaluate the local laws as being sufficient to ensure proper training and/or oversight and worker safety.

(c)  If at any time, the AHJ determines that the employees are not sufficiently trained in electrical work or safety, the AHJ will notify the USACE supervisor/KO or COR.  After the employee has received the proper training, the AHJ will reevaluate before the person may continue to work.

(d)  The AHJ provides evaluation (that is, approval or disapproval) documentation to the USACE supervisor/KO or COR.

(e)  The exception for electrical licensing does not preclude the requirement for emergency response training (see para 11-3.d).

(4)  All QPs must be trained and be competent in the proper selection and use of the special precautionary techniques, PPE, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools and test equipment for working on or near exposed energized parts of electric equipment (see chapter 5).  The training must include instruction on selecting appropriate test instruments and the limitations of each test instrument that might be used. QPs must demonstrate how to use a device to verify the absence of voltage, including interpreting indication provided by the device.

(5)  QPs that perform work that involves exposure to electrical hazards with electric power generation, transmission, and/or distribution lines and equipment must be trained according to 29 CFR 1910.269 , 29 CFR 1926 Subpart V, and NESC.

(6)  QPs that perform work within the limited approach boundary must, at a minimum, also be trained on the following:

(a)  The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized live parts from other parts of electrical equipment.

(b)  The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts.

(c)  Approach distances specified for personnel in tables 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 and the corresponding voltages to which the QP will be exposed.

(d)  Minimum clearances specified for vehicular and mechanical equipment in table 11-4.

(e)  Decision making process necessary to perform job safety planning (for example, to assist in preparing the APP and AHA), identify electrical hazards, assess the associated risk, and select the appropriate risk control methods form the hierarchy of controls, including PPE (see para 11-7.a(9)).

(7)  An individual who is undergoing on-the-job training for the purpose of obtaining the skills and knowledge necessary to be considered a QP may be considered as a QP for the performance of those specific duties under the following conditions:

(a)  They demonstrate an ability to safely perform specific duties at their achieved level of training.

(b)  They are under the direct supervision of a QP.

c.  Unqualified Persons.  Unqualified Persons who may be exposed to shock and arc flash hazards must be trained and be familiar with any electrical safety-related practices necessary for their safety.  (11-3.c)