According to the Article 100 definitions, a Qualified Person is one who has demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to identify the hazards and reduce the associated risk.

To demonstrate one’s skills is different than just having knowledge of specific skills. A worker is not considered a “Qualified Person” immediately after attending a classroom safety course. Demonstration of the workers skills comes next. Take note of the requirements below where demonstration of skills is required to be considered qualified.

Part of being a qualified person includes ongoing training to maintain one’s credentials.

Below are the training requirements for a qualified person.

Below is a sample of NFPA 70E. For the complete section, see the actual NFPA 70E text at NFPA.ORG. Once there, click on the free access link to NFPA 70E.

110.4(A)(1) Qualified Person. A qualified person shall be trained and knowledgeable in the construction and operation of equipment or a specific work method and be trained to identify and avoid the electrical hazards that might be present with respect to that equipment or work method.

(a) Such persons shall also be familiar with the proper use of applicable precautionary techniques, electrical policies, procedures, PPE, insulating materials, shielding materials, and insulated tools and test equipment..

(b) A person shall be qualified for certain equipment and tasks to be performed.

(c) Such persons permitted to work within the limited approach boundary shall, at a minimum, be additionally trained in all of the following:

(1) Skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed energized electrical conductors and circuit parts from other parts of electrical equipment

(2) Skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed energized electrical conductors and circuit parts

(3) Approach distances specified in Table 130.4(E)(a) and Table 130.4(E)(b) and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be exposed.

(4) Decision-making process necessary to be able to do the following:

a. Perform the job safety planning

b. Identify electrical hazards

c. Assess the associated risk

d. Select the appropriate risk control methods from the hierarchy of controls identified in 110.3(H)(3), including PPE

(d) An employee who is undergoing on-the-job training for the purpose of obtaining the skills and knowledge necessary to be considered a qualified person, and who in the course of such training demonstrates an ability to perform specific 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 specific duties.

(e) Employees shall be trained to select an appropriate test instrument and shall demonstrate how to use a device to verify the absence of voltage, including interpreting indications provided by the device. The training shall include information that enables the employee to understand all limitations of each test instrument that might be used.

(f) The employer shall determine through regular supervision or through inspections conducted on at least an annual basis that each employee is complying with the safety-related work practices required by this standard.