Racking Out or in Power Circuit Breakers is Simple isn’t it?

During field implementation of Electrical Safety Programs and while performing External Electrical Safety Audits it was discovered that Qualified Persons (e.g. Qualified Electrical Workers Low Voltage or High Voltage) were not effectively trained with respect to isolation of low and high voltage electrical equipment. Gaps in competency on how to rack out or in a low voltage power circuit breaker, how to complete emergency extraction racking out of a normally remotely racked high voltage power circuit breaker when the onboard remote racking system fails, and isolation of a unique high voltage motor starter were identified.Is racking out or in a low or high voltage power circuit breaker simple or isolating a high voltage starter simple? A critical component of risk related to likelihood of occurrence related to energized electrical work tasks is ensuring the Qualified Person has appropriate skills and knowledge and is also competent and the employer manages human performance and the likelihood of human error. This case history will provide insight confirming that racking out or in low or high voltage power circuit breakers and isolating unique high voltage motor starters is not necessarily intuitive and simple. Qualified persons need to be suitably trained, follow a procedure and have their competency validated.