Authorised Persons and Competency Register

Purpose. This register records every worker's authorisations to perform, direct or receive access for work on network apparatus, their rescue and first aid currency, and the reassessment dates that keep the authorisations valid.

1.Why the register exists

Under the client network safety rules and the Electricity Safety Act only authorised persons perform, direct or receive access for work on apparatus. The register is the business's evidence of who is authorised for what, and it is checked before work is allocated and by the network controller before an access authority is issued.

2.Authorisation categories

Categories include access recipient for low voltage and high voltage apparatus, switching operator for distribution, substation and rail traction, switching program writer and checker, network controller, live low voltage work, live line glove and barrier, live line stick, live line barehand, elevated work platform operator, insulated elevated work platform, pole top rescue, tower rescue, pit rescue, cable jointer for each cable type, asset inspector, and vegetation worker near live apparatus.

• Access recipient (low voltage and high voltage)
• Switching operator and network controller
• Switching program writer and checker
• Live work categories
• Rescue categories
• Cable jointing, inspection and vegetation categories

3.Gaining and keeping authorisation

A worker gains an authorisation by completing the training, being assessed on the job by an authorised assessor and being approved by the Network Operations, Safety and Training Manager. Each authorisation has a reassessment period of one to three years set by the client rules. Rescue and first aid currency must be maintained by six-monthly drills and annual refreshers.

4.Using the register

Team leaders check the register when allocating work and record the authorisation category on the job risk assessment. The network controller checks the register before issuing an access authority. A worker whose authorisation has lapsed will not be allocated that work until reassessed.

5.Suspension and reinstatement

An authorisation will be suspended during the investigation of a safety rule breach involving the worker, and reinstated only after the investigation and any retraining are complete. Suspensions and reinstatements are recorded on the register with the incident reference.

6.Review

The register is reviewed monthly for expiries in the next ninety days and audited quarterly against the training matrix and client authorisation lists.