An electrical foreman is in charge of overseeing projects that include linemen and laborers who report to him. A high school diploma or equivalent is required for the higher position, as well as several years of work experience, most likely as a lineman, and passing industry and safety training and certifications. Ensure that an electrical team has the necessary tools and equipment before starting a job, select and manage a group of electricians, and perform electrical tasks alongside linemen are all examples of specific tasks.
An electrical foreman must be a qualified electrician with construction experience. In addition to leading the maintenance and repair of transmission lines, this person must communicate with a variety of trade professionals, such as plumbers and other construction workers, to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. In addition, an electrical foreman is not only aware of the safety precautions that must be followed when working with high-voltage wiring, but also ensures that other workers follow those precautions.
The electrical foreman must assign project responsibilities to each member of a team of electrical linemen, whether daily or weekly. The foreman is also responsible for determining the materials required for each job and placing orders accordingly. If the job is in a large building, the electrical foreman may need to communicate with delivery companies about which entrance and service elevator to use in order to follow the rules of the building. After the workday is completed, the foreman should ensure that the team leaves the workplace in a clean and orderly manner, with all equipment and tools properly stored.
An electrical foreman must keep his training current and relevant in order to ensure that the entire electrical linemen team is performing in accordance with the latest electrical standards and procedures. Furthermore, because each electrical job is likely to be unique, the lead tradesman, or foreman, must have problem-solving skills as well as the ability to read technical documents. Any electrician should be physically fit enough to sit or stand for long periods of time in extreme heat.
Electrical transmission lines may be located high above or below ground. To reach these systems for repairs and other purposes, an electrical foreman may have to climb telephone poles. This person must be equally at ease climbing into holes as he or she is working on transmission lines underground.