Program Overview
An Authorized Electrical Person is appointed in writing to carry out specific operations on electrical systems and to control others who work on them. Authorization carries real accountability: the person must know the system, the hazards and the procedures well enough to make sound decisions under pressure.
This program prepares experienced electrical staff for that responsibility. It revisits the principles of electrical systems from the perspective of control, then focuses on safe approach to energized equipment, isolation and proving dead, safe testing, and the management of routine and preventive maintenance. Incident reporting and investigation are treated as core skills, so that near misses lead to learning. Content follows NFPA 70E and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269, with reference to IEC 60364 and BS 7671 for international installations.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the principles of electrical systems relevant to isolation, earthing and switching
- Describe the responsibilities and limits of an Authorized Electrical Person
- Apply approach boundaries and select controls for work near energized systems
- Carry out isolation, proving dead and earthing to a written procedure
- Perform safe testing of electrical equipment and interpret results
- Plan and control routine and preventive maintenance under a permit system
- Report and investigate electrical incidents and near misses
Program Modules
- Principles of Electricity and Electrical Systems — distribution arrangements, earthing systems, protective devices and switching operations
- Responsibilities of an Authorized Electrical Person — appointment, scope of authorization and duties to others
- Safe Approaches to Energized Systems — shock and arc flash boundaries, energized work justification and PPE
- Isolation, Lockout and Proving Dead — isolation points, LOTO, verification of absence of voltage and temporary earthing
- Safe Testing of Electrical Equipment — test planning, instrument selection and controlling the test area
- Routine and Preventive Maintenance Procedures — planning work, permits and handback of equipment to service
- Incident Reporting and Investigation — reporting duties, root cause analysis and corrective actions
Who Should Attend
- Competent Electrical Persons progressing to authorization
- Electrical supervisors and charge hands
- Maintenance engineers responsible for electrical isolations
- Contractor electrical leads working on client sites
Standards & Codes Referenced
- NFPA 70E
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269
- IEC 60364
- BS 7671
Assessment & Certification
Assessment combines a written examination on authorization responsibilities, isolation and testing procedures and incident management with a practical assessment in which each participant plans and executes an isolation, proves dead, applies earths, and issues and cancels a safety document for a maintenance task. Practical sessions take place at ASEEE-approved training centers, using calibrated equipment and realistic work scenarios under the supervision of a qualified assessor.
Participants who meet the competency criteria receive an ASEEE competency certificate carrying a unique certificate ID that employers and clients can verify online through Certificate Check. ASEEE recommends recertification every 3 years to keep skills aligned with current practice and revised standards.
