Welcome to Episode of I'm The Gaffer!

Host Gavin Coyle welcomes Joseph McFall, Operations Director at SFTS - HV and Lead Senior Authorized Person at BOSLAN Ingeniería y Consultoría, to unpack the vital role of a Senior Authorized Person (SAP) in the construction and electrical industries. From ensuring electrical safety on high-voltage networks to addressing the skills shortage in offshore wind and data centers, Joseph shares expert insights for tradespeople, contractors, and aspiring professionals. Learn how to break into this high-demand, high-paying career and why robust safety procedures are non-negotiable. Sponsored by Hustro.com, the ultimate construction management software for safety and compliance.

Episode Highlights

• What is an SAP? – Senior Authorized Persons ensure electrical safety on high-voltage systems.
• Career Pathways – From apprenticeships to graduate engineering, explore routes to become an SAP.
• Skills Shortage – High demand for SAPs in offshore wind, data centers, and construction.
• Safety Risks – Incompetent SAPs risk fatalities, explosions, or project failures.
• SFTS’s Expertise – Providing SAP services, safety procedures, and network maintenance.
• Career Advice – Tips for tradespeople and students eyeing this rewarding role.

Key Takeaways

1. SAP Responsibilities: Ensure electrical safety on high-voltage networks in construction projects.
2. Entry Routes: No degree required—apprenticeships or engineering backgrounds lead to SAP roles.
3. Safety is Critical: Robust procedures (isolations, lockouts) prevent catastrophic incidents.
4. Skills Gap: SAP shortages drive demand, with contractors earning ~£700/day or full-time roles at ~£110K/year.
5. Maintenance Needs: Aging infrastructure requires regular checks to avoid failures.
6. Opportunity: Reach out to SFTS at sfts-hv.com for SAP services or career advice.

Timestamps

• [00:16] Intro: Sponsored by Hustro.com, leading construction management software.
• [00:26] Gavin introduces Joseph McFall and the SAP role.
• [00:56] Defining the SAP: Ensuring electrical safety on high-voltage networks.
• [02:21] Joseph’s journey: From Scottish Power to SFTS and BOSLAN.
• [03:18] Pathways to SAP: Apprenticeships, engineering, or adult training.
• [06:42] Skills shortage: Challenges finding experienced SAPs.
• [09:07] Risks of incompetent SAPs: Fatalities, explosions, and project chaos.
• [10:36] Training timeline: ~18 months for competency in complex networks.
• [13:55] Safety procedures: Importance of isolations, barriers, and lockouts.
• [15:23] Hustro.com: Streamline project management and safety compliance.
• [17:08] Case study: 2008 transformer explosion due to improper operation.
• [18:36] No universal SAP standard: Varying procedures across industries.
• [19:35] Labor shortage: 77-year-old SAPs filling gaps.
• [22:28] Risks of fake certifications and inadequate 5-day courses.
• [24:22] Governance: Robust procedures ensure SAP competency.
• [29:35] SAP pay: ~£700/day for contractors, ~£110K/year for full-time roles.
• [31:31] SFTS’s mission: SAP expertise, safety procedures, and maintenance.
• [40:15] SFTS’s future: Expanding in offshore wind and data centers.
• [42:12] Joseph’s life lesson: Travel more when young.
• [42:41] Favorite book: Glue by Irvine Welsh.
• [44:10] Favorite destinations: Donegal for tranquility, Rio for adventure.
• [44:38] Contact SFTS: Visit sfts-hv.com or LinkedIn.
• [46:04] Closing: Career advice for aspiring SAPs.
• [46:50] Hustro.com: Simplify inspections, reporting, and compliance.

Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building

industry.

As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge.

I’m The Gaffer, available on:

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Website https://www.imthegaffer.com/

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