Competent Person vs Authorised Person (LV): Who Does What Under HTM 06-02

Two supporting roles complete the picture. The Duty Authorised Person (LV) is simply the Authorised Person on site who currently holds responsibility for the system: where several Authorised Persons are appointed, only one acts as Duty Authorised Person at any time, their name is displayed prominently, and handovers are recorded in the LV site logbook. The Accompanying Safety Person (LV) is someone not involved in the work, trained in emergency first aid, who keeps watch during live work, testing and proving dead.

HTM 06-02 paragraph 4.14 makes the Authorised Person (LV) responsible for the practical implementation and operation of the HTM and for the systems and installations they are appointed for. Their instructions and decisions on electrical matters may be treated as final; in a dispute they stop the work and refer it to the Authorising Engineer (LV) for adjudication.

The duties summarised at paragraph 4.18 are the job description. The Authorised Person controls the work on low voltage systems and prepares inspection, maintenance and safety programmes; ensures alterations do not compromise the system; keeps maintenance, testing and commissioning records up to date; records all switching in the LV site logbook; ensures that any person working on the system is competent to do so; maintains test equipment; cooperates with the Authorising Engineer on policy; reports dangerous occurrences in writing to the Designated Person and Authorising Engineer; appoints Competent Persons in writing, keeps the register and defines their duties on the certificate; inspects switchrooms routinely and keeps safety signage in place; and issues and cancels safety documents.

Paragraph 4.20 adds the contractor dimension: the Authorised Person confirms the competencies of LV contractors and obtains letters of competency from their employers, and, when necessary, assesses a Skilled Person (LV) for defined work on defined equipment. Paragraph 4.21 requires the Authorised Person to monitor every Competent Person's performance, including switchroom visits every three months.

Appointment follows paragraph 4.38: formally by the Designated Person, on the recommendation of the Authorising Engineer (LV), for periods not exceeding three years, on a certificate signed by all three parties. The appointment is reviewed every three years (paragraph 4.40), and in between the Authorising Engineer audits performance at intervals not exceeding 12 months, reviews the Authorised Person's operational experience against the operating records and recommends refresher training as necessary. Suspension or cancellation for safety reasons sits with the Authorising Engineer (paragraph 4.41).

The definition at paragraph 2.9 is a person who possesses, as appropriate to the work, adequate education, training and practical skills, who is able to prevent danger or injury, who has been formally appointed in writing by an Authorised Person (LV), and who accepts a safety document for defined work. That defined work may be electrical work on the system under the Authorised Person's control, but it may equally be non-electrical tasks in areas under that control, and any restrictions should be recorded on the certificate of appointment.

The Competent Person's duties while holding a safety document (paragraph 4.25) are about discipline rather than decision-making: be fully conversant with the work; read the safety document and confirm it is understood; keep to its conditions and make others do the same; keep the document and any keys in safe custody; provide personal supervision when in charge; and, if a hazard arises, withdraw everyone and report immediately to the Duty Authorised Person. A Competent Person may not work under a safety document issued to another Competent Person (4.26), may not leave the work location while the defined work is in progress (4.28), and clears the document only when everyone has been withdrawn and the workplace made safe (4.29).

Appointment is by an Authorised Person (LV), in writing, for a maximum of three years, following a formal interview (paragraphs 4.44 and 4.50). To be eligible, a candidate should be competent for the systems concerned, familiar with the installations, technically knowledgeable and experienced enough to prevent danger, adequately familiar with the HTM and local rules, and hold an emergency first-aid qualification completed within the last three years (paragraph 4.49). The Authorised Person keeps a register of all appointments, with expiry dates and training records, and reviews each one at intervals not exceeding a year (paragraph 4.48).