I. Purpose & Scope 

To provide an outline of the responsibilities and expectations for a Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW). These guidelines are to ensure safety, compliance, and effective oversight of civil underground utility crews working near live electrical utilities. 

II. Definitions

Per PG&E Utility Standard TD-4415S, a Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) is defined as a professional with a minimum of two years of training and experience with high-voltage circuits and equipment. The QEW must demonstrate, through performance, familiarity with the tasks and the associated hazards. This classification includes electric transmission and distribution journeyman. 

III. Process

A. General Requirements

A QEW must understand they have a crucial responsibility when overseeing a civil underground utility crew working around live electrical utilities. 

1. A QEW must be present for the JSA or signed into the tailboard before any work begins. 
2. QEW must identify and document the devices at the source site, including circuit and emergency de-energizing devices, in case they are needed. A QEW shall verify the locations and access points. Additionally, QEW vehicles must be equipped with the necessary tools to perform these tasks as listed in the tool section below. 
3. While working near energized secondary equipment, the QEW must wear rubber gloves. 
4. While a QEW is observing or in proximity of a primary or secondary that the QEW has deemed safe to work around, the QEW must have their rubber gloves on their person. 

B. Responsibilities

Ensuring Safety Compliance

1. Safety Procedures: Implement and enforce protocols such as lockout/tagout (LOTO), PPE usage, and grounding techniques. 
2. Hazard Identification: Recognize and assess electrical hazards (e.g., live lines, energized equipment)
3. Control Measures: Enforce the use barriers, warning signs, and protective devices to prevent accidental contact. 

Pre-Work Planning

1. Job Briefing: Participate in the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and daily job safety briefings. 
2. Documentation: Verify work permits and necessary documents. 
3. Equipment Check: Inspect tools, vehicles, and equipment for safety compliance. 

Supervising Crews

1. Coordination: Act as the liaison between civil crews and electrical operations. 
2. Work Practices: Oversee work such as trenching near live utilities to ensure safety. 
3. Training: Guide crew members on safety practices and clearance requirements. 

Maintaining Compliance

1. OSHA Standards: Follow regulations including 29 CFR 1926 Subpart V and Subpart P. 
2. Company Policies: Adhere to utility-specific safety guidelines. 
3. Customer Requirements: Adhere to all customer specifications and guidelines. 

Responding to Emergencies

1. Incident Management: Lead responses to incidents such as accidental contacts or equipment failures. 
2. First Aid: Provide immediate assistance as needed. 
3. Incident Reporting: Document and report any incidents. 

Technical Oversight. 

1. Clearance Issues: Maintain Minimum Approach Distances (MAD). 
2. Utility Identification: Verify and mark underground utilities using tools like Maps Plus. 
3. Verification of De-Energization: Confirm circuits are de-energized or ensure proper live work procedures are utilized. 

C. Tools and Equipment 

QEW must have always have the following while on duty:

1. Maps Plus (and be competent in its use)
2. Infrared Device (for inspections)
3. Rattle Gun and Penta Socket
4. #2 PG&E Key
5. Class II Rubber Gloves (with keepers)
6. Secondary Gloves (with keepers)
7. Hot Stick with Switching Head
8. Telescopic Extendo Stick
9. Rubber Blanket (minimum one)
10. J Hook (to remove lids)

D. Task Examples

The below are examples of different situations that may require a QEW, this list is not exhaustive and their may be additional situations that require a QEW. 

1. Whenever accessing a PG&E-owned facility that is covered by a cap (slurry or concrete), do the following: QEW onsite if breaking out electric duct envelopes. After a facility is exposed, inspect facilities to ensure that no physical damage occurred during excavation. (TD-4412P-05)
2. Whenever performing work in close proximity (within the tolerance zone) to direct bury cable, refer to Utility Procedure TD-2404P-01 to inspect and protect cables. Contact local electric supervisor for QEW support, as needed. (TD-4412P-05)
3. Qualified persons (QPs) are authorized to enter and work in manholes, vaults, excavations, subsurface enclosures, or on pad-mounted equipment, under the direction of a QEW only after the QEW inspects the electric facilities and determines they are safe. (TD-2404P-01)
4. Before entering an energized subsurface enclosure, a QEW or a QP under a direction of a QEW MUST CONDUCT infrared inspection AND ASSESS all known hazards (e.g., leaking splices, cracked insulation, various tripping hazards, biohazards, stray voltage). (TD-2404P-01)
5. Before performing work on energized pad-mounted equipment, QEW and QP personnel MUST REVIEW AND UNDERSTAND the tailboard, as required. (TD-2404P-01)
6. Breaking Out Ducts, only a QEW, or a QP under the direction of a QEW, can break out duct envelopes. (TD-2404P-01)
7. Windowing conduit. (TD-2404P-01)
8. Repairing Conduits with Exposed Cable (TD-2404P-01)
9. Only QEWs, or a QP under the direction of a QEW, may disconnect ground connections or remove a ground. DO NOT RECONNECT a ground that has become disconnected accidentally (TD-2404P-01)
10. Anytime working around or to tie in conduit into an energized primary or secondary enclosure a QEW MUST be present.
11. Pulling mandrill into an energized primary or secondary enclosure a QEW MUST be present.