Electrical Safety Training

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Unqualified Persons

An “unqualified person” is any person who has not received specific training regarding electrical hazards involved in the work task and how to avoid the hazards. EHSS offers awareness level training to unqualified persons who would like more information regarding common electrical hazards and protective measures, including safe work practices for extension cords and ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCI).

Qualified Persons

Qualified persons must be designated (i.e. authorized) by their department to perform work on energized electrical systems or equipment and must attend EHSS Electrical Qualified Person training. EHSS training is intended to work in conjunction with any on-the-job technical training that the department provides or requires.  Note: EHSS Electrical Qualified Person training provides information related to live electrical work hazards and selection and use of appropriate personal protective equipment. It is not intended to provide the technical skills and knowledge necessary to work on electrical systems or components, nor does it authorize any person to do so.

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

Note: Unqualified persons assisting in energized electrical work must be under the direct supervision of a qualified person for the duration of the exposure.  An employee who is undergoing on-the-job training and who, in the course of such training, has demonstrated an ability to perform duties safely at his or her level of training, and who is under the direct supervision of a qualified person shall be considered to be a qualified person for the performance of those duties. 

At Virginia Tech, there are two levels of electrical qualified persons based upon the scope of work that the person is expected to perform and the risk involved.

• Level I - Persons who are employed in an electrical/mechanical position with direct responsibility for servicing/installing/maintaining electrical systems, components, or equipment (e.g. electricians, HVAC technicians) where a relatively high level of technical knowledge and skill is necessary to perform such tasks, and where there is a relatively high level of risk due to work on energized systems or equipment (operating at 50 volts or more to ground). Level I qualified persons must:
  • Be trained and knowledgeable of the construction and operation of equipment or a specific work method, and be trained to recognize and avoid the electrical hazards that might be present with respect to that equipment or work method.
  • Be familiar with the proper use of the special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, including arc-flash, insulating and shielding materials, and insulating tools and test equipment.
  • Be trained in the skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized parts from other (non-energized) parts of electrical equipment.
  • Be training in skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts by reading drawings, signs, and labels.
  • Be trained in the approach distances and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be exposed.
  • Be trained in 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.
  • Attend EHSS Lockout/Tagout Authorized Person training.
  • Be certified in First Aid and CPR.
  • Be familiar with emergency procedures for electrical incidents.
  • Attend EHSS Confined Space Entry training, if applicable.
  Departments must establish and maintain documents that provide evidence of the qualification of each employee, and the documentation must define the limits of each employee’s qualifications. The Electrical Qualified Person Form can be used for such purposes.

• Level II - Persons who are employed in a non-electrical/mechanical position, but who have some degree of risk from energized electrical systems, components, or equipment, such as welders, painters, material handling equipment operators, industrial machine operators, riggers, or any employee who works on energized equipment which involves either direct contact or contact by means of tools or materials (i.e. voltage testing for diagnostic and troubleshooting purposes). Typically the system or equipment is de-energized according to lockout/tagout program requirements when servicing, maintenance, installation, or repair work is conducted. OSHA requires that these employees be trained on appropriate safe work practices and controls if their work brings them close enough to exposed parts of electric circuits (operating at 50 volts or more to ground). Level II qualified persons must:
  • Be trained and knowledgeable on the proper operation of equipment (e.g. voltage testers, arc welders), or in a specific work method or practice.
  • Be trained to recognize and avoid the electrical hazards that might be present with respect to that equipment or work method.
  • Be trained in the approach distances and the corresponding voltages to which the person may be exposed.
  • Attend EHSS Lockout/Tagout Authorized Person training.
  • Be certified in First Aid and CPR.
  • Be familiar with emergency procedures for electrical incidents.
  • Attend EHSS Confined Space Entry training, if applicable.