Certified Qualified Electrical Worker (CQEW)
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Course Description
The Certified Qualified Electrical Worker (CQEW) course is a comprehensive professional certification program designed for electricians, maintenance personnel, electrical engineers, industrial technicians, facility managers, safety professionals, supervisors, and anyone who works on or near energized electrical systems. This course provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to recognize electrical hazards, comply with OSHA regulations and NFPA 70E, and safely perform electrical work in industrial, commercial, utility, and institutional environments.Electrical hazards remain one of the leading causes of serious workplace injuries and fatalities. Workers exposed to energized electrical equipment face risks including electric shock, arc flash, arc blast, electrocution, burns, and fire hazards. This certification prepares participants to identify these hazards, conduct electrical risk assessments, establish electrically safe work conditions, and implement industry-recognized safe work practices that reduce the likelihood of electrical incidents.
Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.331–335, NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, electrical hazard recognition, arc flash risk assessments, approach boundaries, energized electrical work permits, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), voltage testing, grounding, electrical equipment labeling, arc-rated personal protective equipment (PPE), electrical maintenance, inspection procedures, emergency response, and regulatory compliance. The curriculum also covers electrical diagrams, equipment ratings, safe troubleshooting techniques, incident prevention, and electrical safety management.
Through practical demonstrations and real-world workplace scenarios, students will learn how to safely work on or near energized electrical equipment, select appropriate protective equipment, interpret electrical drawings and labels, verify absence of voltage, establish safe work zones, and apply OSHA-compliant procedures during electrical installation, maintenance, inspection, and troubleshooting activities.
Upon successful completion of the Certified Qualified Electrical Worker (CQEW) course, participants will have the expertise to safely perform electrical work, reduce arc flash and shock hazards, improve OSHA compliance, and strengthen workplace electrical safety programs. This certification is ideal for professionals seeking career advancement in electrical safety, industrial maintenance, utilities, manufacturing, construction, and environmental health and safety (EHS).
What You'll Learn
- Upon successful completion of the Certified Qualified Electrical Worker (CQEW) course, participants will be able to:
- Understand OSHA electrical safety regulations and NFPA 70E requirements for qualified electrical workers.
- Identify electrical hazards including electric shock, arc flash, arc blast, burns, electrocution, and hazardous energy exposure.
- Conduct electrical risk assessments and establish electrically safe work conditions before performing electrical tasks.
- Determine shock protection boundaries, arc flash boundaries, and appropriate safe approach distances.
- Select, inspect, and properly use arc-rated personal protective equipment (PPE) and insulated tools.
- Apply Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), voltage testing, grounding, and energized work permit procedures in accordance with OSHA and NFPA 70E.
- Interpret electrical diagrams, equipment labels, one-line diagrams, and nameplate ratings to safely troubleshoot electrical systems.
- Perform safe inspection, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting of electrical equipment while minimizing operational risks.
- Respond effectively to electrical emergencies, arc flash incidents, and workplace electrical hazards.
- Promote a proactive electrical safety culture that improves regulatory compliance, employee protection, and incident prevention.
Who Should Attend
Electricians & Electrical Technicians Maintenance & Facility Engineers Industrial Plant Operators Electrical Contractors & Supervisors Safety Officers & Coordinators Collateral Duty Safety Personnel
Certified Qualified Electrical Worker (CQEW) Blueprint
1. Overview
The Certified Safety Health Specialist - General Industry (CQEW) blueprint summarizes the examination structure and core knowledge areas aligned to the IASHEP General Industry course. The source course emphasizes 29 CFR 1910 safety regulations and standards, OSHA policies and procedures, hazard recognition, workplace inspections, risk assessments, incident investigations, corrective actions, and safety program implementation.
2. Examination Parameters
| Duration | 4 Day course alignment |
| Total Questions | Standardized assessment |
| Question Format | Multiple-choice and scenario-based |
| Passing Score | Standard passing requirement |
3. Prerequisites & Qualifications
Candidates for this certification generally have responsibilities in workplace safety, compliance, supervision, industrial hygiene, facility operations, risk management, or program administration. Preparation should include:
- Familiarity with OSHA general industry requirements and 29 CFR 1910 standards.
- Ability to recognize common workplace hazards and recommend controls.
- Understanding of inspections, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action planning.
- Practical experience supporting or managing safety and health programs.
4. Examination Domains
| Domain Name | Weight (%) | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. OSHA General Industry Regulations and Compliance | 25% | 25 |
| 2. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment | 20% | 20 |
| 3. Safety Program Implementation and Hazard Controls | 20% | 20 |
| 4. Workplace Inspections and Corrective Actions | 15% | 15 |
| 5. Incident Investigation and Prevention Planning | 10% | 10 |
| 6. Communication, Training, and Professional Application | 10% | 10 |
| TOTAL | 100% | 100 |
5. Domain Breakdown
Domain 1: OSHA General Industry Regulations and Compliance
Weight: 25%
Knowledge of:
- OSHA general industry regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
- 29 CFR 1910 safety regulation/standard structure and application.
- Regulatory compliance requirements for workplace safety and health programs.
- Use of OSHA standards as a guide for identifying high-hazard areas.
Domain 2: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
Weight: 20%
Knowledge of:
- Recognition of common workplace hazards including chemical, electrical, machinery, ergonomics, and environmental risks.
- Risk assessment methods for prioritizing hazards and exposures.
- Hazard identification, avoidance, control, and prevention concepts.
- Selection of practical control strategies based on observed workplace conditions.
Domain 3: Safety Program Implementation and Hazard Controls
Weight: 20%
Knowledge of:
- Implementation of effective safety programs and hazard control measures.
- Accident prevention strategies and corrective action planning.
- General industry safety and health principles as applied to real-world situations.
- Integration of safety procedures into routine operations.
Domain 4: Workplace Inspections and Corrective Actions
Weight: 15%
Knowledge of:
- Planning and conducting workplace inspections.
- Documenting inspection findings and identifying corrective actions.
- Evaluating facility, maintenance, production, and healthcare work environments.
- Communicating inspection results to supervisors, coordinators, and managers.
Domain 5: Incident Investigation and Prevention Planning
Weight: 10%
Knowledge of:
- Incident investigation principles and root-cause awareness.
- Corrective action planning following accidents, near misses, or identified hazards.
- Use of incident findings to improve hazard control and prevention programs.
- Follow-up activities to verify corrective actions are completed.
Domain 6: Communication, Training, and Professional Application
Weight: 10%
Knowledge of:
- Communicating OSHA requirements and safety expectations to workers and management.
- Supporting training, orientation, and safety awareness activities.
- Applying course knowledge immediately in workplace settings.
- Professional responsibilities for safety supervisors, coordinators, industrial hygienists, facility managers, line supervisors, and program administrators.
6. Additional Information
Course Alignment:
- IASHEP CSHS-GI course page identifies the course as a 4-day intermediate General Industry course.
- The course description identifies 29 CFR 1910 safety regulations/standards as the primary focus.
- The course outcomes include OSHA compliance, hazard identification, safety program implementation, workplace inspections, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action planning.
Source: IASHEP course page, Certified Safety Health Specialist - General Industry (CQEW), accessed May 14, 2026.