Certified Qualified Electrical Worker (CQEW)

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