Qualified Electric Worker

There isn’t a formal QEW certification process. Instead, you need to understand the tasks your worker is performing and know which ones fall under the OSHA requirements. The two OSHA standards (1910.269 and 1910.332) spell out the tasks and conditions which must be performed by a QEW.

Since tasks are unique to each organization, each training program is unique. Once you’ve identified the relevant tasks, then you can determine what training is needed. You’ll also need to determine how your workers can demonstrate their skill and knowledge when they complete the training.

Familiarize yourself with the tasks and conditions outlined in the OSHA standards (1910.269 and 1910.332). Then, review the functions your workers perform and determine which ones fall under the standards.

The first step is to analyze all tasks your workers perform. Those that should be performed by a QEW as identified by the OSHA standards 1910.269 and 1910.332 are the ones you need to focus on. You should look at the important equipment they operate or work on and identify the electrical hazards associated with that equipment.

Next, you need to determine how your workers can demonstrate skill and knowledge for those tasks. Once you’ve completed that process, you can identify the training that will provide any gaps in their skills and knowledge.

If you’ve determined the tasks your workers perform, established a method to determine skills and knowledge, identified training to fill those gaps, and documented everything, your program should be OSHA compliant.

The important thing to remember is you can’t rely on an out-of-the-box training program. Your program needs to be customized to the tasks your workers perform.

1910.332 applies to all employees who face a risk of electric shock and not specific to any industry. 1910.269 provides additional requirements for “the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment.” It applies to “generation, transmission, and distribution installations of electric utilities” as well as “equivalent installations of industrial establishments.”

We’ve summarized both standards for you – 1910.269 and 1910.332

The topics covered in your QEW training should connect directly to what your workers do on the job. Start by developing detailed job descriptions that outline the tasks and responsibilities for each role. From there, you can identify the training they need to safely and effectively perform those tasks in compliance with OSHA and industry standards.

Under OSHA regulations, QEW refresher training is required every three years to maintain safety awareness and skills. In addition, training must be updated when new equipment or procedures are introduced, if a worker shows a lack of understanding or skill, or standards are updated.

Additionally, annual safety briefings or skill assessments are considered best practice to reinforce electrical safety knowledge and verify QEW status between formal training cycles.

Proper documentation helps demonstrate OSHA compliance, supports safety audits, and provides due diligence in case of an incident investigation.

Documentation should include:

• Training records, including date, topics, method, and instructor
• Employee attendance and completion records
• Demonstrated proficiency records
• Qualification determination
• Equipment-specific training records if applicable

The following PPE is typically required, depending on the voltage, task and incident energy level: arc-rated shirts, pants, or coveralls, insulating rubber gloves with leather protectors, safety glasses or goggles, hard hat, ear plus or earmuffs, and safety boots. Additional PPE may be required depending on the task. OSHA 1910.269, 1910.132, 1910.335, and NFPA 70E provide detailed information about PPE required for different tasks.

NFPA 70E is a key requirement for QEW training. It outlines the electrical safety standards and practices that workers need to understand and follow when working on or near energized equipment. OSHA requires anyone classified as a "qualified person" be trained to recognize and avoid electrical hazards, and NFPA 70E is the standard training programs use to meet that requirement. So yes, any proper QEW training should absolutely be based on the latest edition of NFPA 70E.