The Qualified Eyes Upon Us: A Reflection on Responsibility, Readiness, and Resolve In the world of electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, every arc, every switch, every climb carries weight not only in voltage but in responsibility. The title Qualified Employee is not a badge of seniority; it’s a declaration of knowledge, competence, and courage. A qualified employee is more than someone who knows how to do the work it’s someone who understands why the work must be done safely. OSHA defines this person as one knowledgeable in the construction and operation of the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution equipment involved, along with the associated hazards. That definition doesn’t just live on paper; it lives in the field, in the quiet hum of a substation, in the measured steps across an energized right-of-way, and in the judgment that separates routine from risk. Who’s Watching Us “Who’s watching us?” isn’t a question of surveillance… it’s a question of integrity. The eyes upon us are many: • The apprentice looking for example, • The journeyman measuring trust, • The safety professional ensuring compliance, • The public depending on our power to stay on and our crews to come home. Each one expects that we embody the standard. That we are qualified, not just experienced. Because experience without understanding is exposure, and exposure without control is a hazard waiting to happen. Training and Truth OSHA reminds us that qualification is not a one-time certificate. It’s a continual demonstration. An employee must have the training required by §1926.950(b)(2) to be a qualified employee. Training isn’t a checkbox. It’s the ongoing rhythm of learning, mentoring, and testing the boundaries of what we know against what could hurt us. It’s the apprentice, under supervision, showing that they can perform at their level safely, confidently, and consistently. An employee undergoing on-the-job training who has demonstrated the ability to perform duties safely under the direct supervision of a qualified person is a qualified person for those duties.

I'd love to hear from the group. Now the majority of this page its discussed about how the industry has slipped a little due to the introduction of college certed individuals policing and policies an electrical industry they dont fully understand. My question is- If "John Lineman" has his ticket was verifiably trained (Apprenticeship + records+ curriculum+ Verified On the job hours) is he Qualified or Competent.. *Osha says anyone checking those boxes of verified training metrics and the knowledge checks is deemed qualified.... NOW, We take "Bill the MFJL" Whoms paper trail includes Groundhand/Operator for 5+ years -insert magic wave of a wand-- POOF Bill is a JL and companies dont verify <Compliance to training regulations, History of individual, no knowledge checks> TEST QUESTION IS: ONLY select one. Is Bill in the above Paragraph? A) Qualified B) Competent C) Both A and B D) Someone who bought their ticket and should have an *** placed beside their name and not allowed Apprentice training privileges until all criteria of training and proof of On the Job competency being met along with knowledge checks. We worry about our industry rightfully so. Many of us this is what we know. We love it to the fullest maybe to strong. Shamefully the answer above is most often wrong. Safety departments isn't the only cog in the machine with a tooth missing. I now know 8+ individuals that are either crew leds or General Foreman or daily MFJLs that did not pull one day outside of pulling levers on a digger or excavator or shoveling or running a hand line. Curious is all 🤙 Daniel Cooper, CUSP,CSP

Beneath the hum of the wire’s song, Where current and courage belong, We build more than lines through the sky We build men and women who know why. Each bolt, each splice, each careful turn, Holds lessons the fearless must learn. For safety is not just a rule we recite, It’s the promise we make to come home each night. The craft runs deep through sweat and flame, Through every storm our brothers came. With calloused hands and sharpened mind, We honor those who came behind. Accountability it’s the quiet creed, That grows from effort, word, and deed. It’s owning the moment, the miss, the win, And rising each day to begin again. Professionalism is more than a stance, It’s pride in your posture, your glance, your chance To teach, to guide, to pass the flame, So the trade forever bears our name. So stand tall, lineman, teacher, friend, For the lessons you give will never end. In every spark, in every plan, Lives the brotherhood and the making of a man. By Daniel Cooper, CUSP, IBEW 317 Journeyman Lineman

Very few times are we in the same book, same page, or wavelength. However, The more I read the more I know that wavelength I'm on and not alone. If this community is on the same book with where we need to be in this industry the more encouraged I'll become. Looking forward to more of this. Extremely similar to my Courage over Comfort series I've been writing and teaching to apprentices at the Apprenticeship. Felling Jazzed LFG!

Leaving the LCTT industry to trade saw for stick. Natural trees to man made and placed. I brought with me a brashness that comes with fighting a large corporation's union busting activities. Having nearly no hesitation to call Bull$hit on bad logic and bad leadership. I found and continue to find myself in situations where that trait will lose you favor with some, but to those who would not speak up and stand on principles its often admired. As a groundman I was placed on a safety committee where we had 4 management and 4 bargaining employees we would meet 1-2 times a week. Knowing nothing of the electric trade at that point. I got to watch and observe how each side treats and bargains even when it came to safety. -"We will get X if you do Y". It really shined a light on what I had suspected. From that moment I placed it in my heart as I will never bargain with the needs of my brothers. Since then I have turned down safety positions at some of the largest contractors because their values in the interview process simply was about value $$. -"If it dont make dollars it dont make sense." -"We are 16% profits this year and even if we have a fatality to close out the year we will get 3-4% and a pat on the back." Thank you for saying the -dont say that part outloud thing. Point is Be a brother have the courage to do the right thing. Keep the comfort away from me. Can't pay me enough to bite my tongue, it hurts too much.