Skill of the Craft

9/26/2016

Safety and health documents are designed to inform personnel of the hazards associated with field activities. Health and Safety Plans (HASPs), Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs or sometimes referred to as AHAs – Activity Hazard Analyses) and Integrated Work Documents (IWDs) are all focused in this regard. Their primary purpose is to, not only ensure all hazards associated with the scope of work are identified, but that the appropriate controls are also specified. The word, “appropriate,” is key as a descriptor in that, while there may be numerous options to protect field personnel from hazards, some may be inappropriate. Yes, that is, while some controls may, indeed protect persons, they may be expensive (when another option may protect persons just as well while costing considerably less), or even overly protective, and therefore, not practical.    

Let’s take the example of working around a process where tetrachloroethylene (aka “perch”) has been evaluated to produce a potential airborne exposure concentration of 10 ppm. Now the occupational exposure limits (OELs), based on OSHA and ACGIH are 100 ppm and 25 ppm, respectively.  This means that the concentrations, as they currently are, are within OELs. But maybe, the field IH believes that a proactive approach would be prudent.  There are numerous controls available, with probably, the most protective being a self-contained breathing apparatus or SCBA. Obviously, this is an extreme measure. Applying mechanical ventilation (i.e. fans) which would direct any airborne contaminant away from the workers would be prudent, or having employees use good work practices (being positioned upwind from the point of operation and minimizing the time necessary to work in the area) may be just as effective and not require the extensive prerequisites that are necessary for wearing a SCBA (or any other type of respiratory protection). This would include respirator training, cost of equipment and continuous maintenance. In other words, work controls need to be commensurate with the hazards.

When developing control methods, many institutions have recognized that certain operations are innate with an employee’s ability, based on experience and training, and thus, the specific hazards and controls are self-evident. This is what is referred to as “Skill-of-the Craft.”

Skill-of-the Craft is defined (as From the Glossary of Environment, Safety, and Health Terms (2006) by U.S. Department of Energy) “A defined level of technical proficiency of a worker that is verifiable through some form of qualification or supervisory knowledge.”

The intent of acknowledging skill-of-the craft ability is to diminish “lesson plan” type of detail within work plan instructions by allowing credit for the skills and knowledge inherent within the occupation. For instance, how necessary would it be to detail (in an AHA, IWD or HASP) to a carpenter the proper method to hold a hammer or to tell a pipe fitter how to tighten or replace fittings? We understand that there are hazards associated with these tasks and that there are appropriate methods for which to protect oneself when performing these activities. Yet, by accepting that those performing these activities have been properly trained and knowledgeable of their specific trade, documenting or detailing the task steps including how to perform these steps, would only increase a work documents’ size without adding any more value.  Therefore, by acknowledging Skill-of-the-Craft expertise,   we can streamline our AHAs, IWDs and HASPs and focus on those hazards and controls that need attention.  

Some examples of skill-of-the craft operations include the following:

• Tightening or replacing fittings
• Replacing gaskets, bolting, valve packing, stationary seals
• Valve lapping
• Standard testing, such as insulation resistance, voltage, etc.
• Replacing fuses and lamps
• Lubricating equipment
• Removing corrosion from surfaces
• Trimming refrigerant charge
• Removing oil from refrigeration plants
• Cleaning threads by mechanical means
• Cutting fasteners to length
• Wire wrapping (except on printed circuit boards)
• Soldering (except on printed circuit boards)
• Crimping of lugs and splices
• Tubing installation
• Tubing fitting makeup

While “Skill-of-the-craft” offers us convenience (when writing our safety documents) without compromising worker S&H, there should be careful consideration when preparing planned packages or work instructions to ensure that additional training, worker qualifications, or job oversight/quality control are included. For example, work instructions for non-facility contractors may need to include more detail, inspections, or supervisory guidance. In addition, as stated in DOE-NE-STD-1003-91, Guide to Good Practice for Training and Qualification of Maintenance Personnel,  it is important to a maintain minimum level of craft proficiency through an established training program so that the expected craft skill levels are developed and maintained, thereby reducing problems caused by inadequate or inappropriate instructions.  

A major consideration when an organization recognizes skill-of-the craft expertise, is that such inherent knowledge must never be taken for granted.  This means that deficiencies within the skill-of-the craft program need to identified. This would include observations of daily field activities, reviews of a craft persons’ industry experience, as well as performing diligent root cause analyses. Through these efforts, it may be determined that additional training may be necessary maintain the required skill level.

For work beyond expected skills, detailed work instructions should be provided to craft personnel. “Skill-of-the-craft,” are work skills that should be common knowledge to the individual performing the work. This means that employees should be formally trained, by means of an accredited on the-job training (OJT) program, as, thus over time, become qualified to perform these skills, or they should be assigned to work under the supervision of a qualified individual.

Everything you want is on the other side of fear

Jack Canfield (Author, co-creator of “Chicken Soup for the Soul”)