Do You Know What the Hell You're Doing?

Yesterday at The Art of Mass Gatherings: Temporary Electrical Systems Workshop in Denver, an attendee asked a great question. She wanted some language to tactfully ask a live event electrician or technician whether or not they were qualified to do the job. I think she asked specifically for terms she could use to have an intelligent conversation about it. Now that I've had more time to think about it, here's what I would suggest. Just ask one question.

"Are you a certified electrician?"

Better yet, if you want to be more specific you can ask if they are ETCP certified. The standards-making body in the live event production industry is ESTA (Entertainment Services Technology Association), and they started the Entertainment Technician Certification Program in 2006 to certify riggers and electricians by passing a rigorous exam. ETCP certified technicians have demonstrated that they have a certain level of knowledge of the craft and that they are qualified in the field. Anyone who is ETCP certified will be able to show a certificate or a certification card.

If someone is not ETCP certified, that doesn't necessarily mean that they are not qualified, but unless you know the right questions to ask, there is no reliable way of knowing. You can't just say, "Do you really know what the hell you're doing?" Well, I suppose you can, but don't be surprised if someone takes offense at that. On the other hand, "Are you ETCP certified" is a polite way of saying the same thing.

If the answer to your question is something like, "I have (fill in the blank) years of experience in the industry doing this," just remember this: Experience doesn't always teach the right lessons. I see examples of that all too often. Just yesterday I witnessed an experienced electrician open a 100-amp switch with zero personal protective equipment. He's probably done it hundreds of times, but that doesn't make it safe. He was so lackadaisical about it that I think he made it more hazardous. I'm sure he knows not to touch the live parts but something could happen that is out of his control. What if there is a malfunction or a rodent gets between the live conductors?

Experience is an asset but the combination of good training and experience is a powerful combination, and if someone is truly competent, they should be willing to prove it by taking the certification exam.

If you are an event producer, party planner, or festival organizer, don't you want some reassurance that the people who are responsible for minimizing rigging and electrical hazards are qualified to take on that responsibility? Of course you do.

If you're a live event professional, don't you want to demonstrate that you are qualified for the job? Of course you do. Check out ETCP certification at www.etcp.esta.org.