Understanding the Crucial Role of Senior Authorised Persons
In the world of construction and engineering, the Senior Authorised Person (SAP) is a role that rarely known, but it’s absolutely critical to safety and project success. These professionals oversee complex electrical systems and authorize critical work that protects lives and assets. Joseph McFall, a Lead Senior Authorised Person himself, states, “The safety of everybody’s lives on a job is in the SAP’s hand…if the SAP gets it wrong, you could basically just blow up a project”. This role is about far more than paperwork, it requires accountability, expertise, and steady judgment.
For SME owners, understanding this crucial role means recognizing that rigorous training and demonstrated competence underpin project safety. It’s a responsibility that cannot be delegated lightly, and investing in the right people reduces risks dramatically. As Joseph points out, “Employing people who aren’t competent can lead to people being killed or seriously injured”. Safety isn’t negotiable but central to operational success.
Bridging the Skills Gap in Safety-Critical Roles
Becoming an SAP isn’t a quick transition; it typically involves around 18 months of dedicated training and hands-on experience even for those with electrical backgrounds. This barrier creates a skills shortage across the industry, making experienced SAPs excessively valuable and often difficult to find. For businesses, this shortage presents recruitment and retention challenges, particularly as demand for expertise grows in sectors like offshore wind and data centers.
The shortage sometimes leads to industry pressures where underqualified workers are accepted based on minimal certifications. Joseph warns, “If you have a proper governance setup…you should not be in a position where you’re hiring somebody who’s been on a course for five days… That’s total negligence”. SMEs must prioritize authentic training and validation to maintain integrity and safety standards amidst these pressures.
Building Expertise through Training and Certification
Formal SAP training programs deliver both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to manage high-voltage systems safely. Programs, like the City & Guilds-accredited courses, cover legislation, hazard recognition, switchgear operation, and fault management while including hands-on exercises with real equipment to instill confidence and competence. Achieving an SAP certification is a rigorous process designed to prepare candidates thoroughly for real-world challenges.
Successful candidates must demonstrate ongoing competence through examination and practical assessments, underscoring that certification is more than a box-ticking exercise. Regular refresher training and audits ensure SAPs remain updated on evolving safety standards and operational best practices. For construction SMEs, investing in comprehensive, accredited training programs is key to cultivating trusted and capable Senior Authorised Persons.
Building Strong Governance for Safer Projects
Every construction or industrial project must ensure robust governance around electrical safety operations. Because there is no unified SAP qualification or regulatory body, companies must establish clear policies ensuring only verified and competent SAPs operate on their networks. This includes signed accountability for each SAP’s competence and strict adherence to safety procedures.
Effective governance minimizes risks by preventing unqualified personnel from acting outside their expertise and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Joseph notes, “If you are running a proper High Voltage setup with the right people and procedures, you should never have someone misrepresenting their competency”. SME leaders who embed strong governance reap benefits in safety outcomes, client trust, and project success.
Future Takeaway: Securing Skills for Sustainable Growth
As industries evolve and electrical infrastructure complexity grows, driven by renewables, data centers, and electric vehicle integration, the demand for skilled SAPs will only rise. However, the talent pipeline needs strengthening. Joseph shares, “The large distribution operators have started adult apprenticeships to bring people from related trades into these vital roles”. This pathway offers opportunity but requires industry-wide collaboration and proactive workforce development.
For SMEs, the future depends on anticipating these needs by investing in talent development, offering clear career pathways, and partnering in industry training programs. Realizing the full value of SAPs means viewing them not just as safety gatekeepers, but as the backbone of a company’s strength and its lasting success in an ever-changing world.
This article draws insights from the featured episode: The Critical Role of an SAP with Joseph McFall on the I'm The Gaffer podcast. Stay tuned as we explore the challenges and opportunities in construction—where success is crafted with expertise, innovation, and dedication.
