The typical electrical inspector is conscientious and safety-oriented. But as with any occupation, there are always bottom-dwellers. If you're unlucky enough to encounter an unsafe electrical inspector, what can you do?
You need the inspector to approve your installation. So can you go toe to toe on safety? Or should you? What if the inspector is offended and retaliates?
Your first line of defense is to have a safety orientation requirement for all site visitors. On a big project, the orientation for craftspeople might take half a day. It's a good investment, as those people will be on the job for a while and the sheer size of the job produces many dangers. But for most jobs, you can't expect an electrical inspector to sit through half a day of safety training. What you should do instead is create a short (maybe 5 to 10 minutes) safety orientation that provides only what the inspector needs to know to be safe while on your site.
This orientation should prevent all but the most dedicated of safety-numbskulls from behaving unsafely. You should also have hardhat, safety glasses, and hearing protection available for visitors. Note: The typical electrical inspector already comes prepared with this and any other needed PPE.
When addressing the unsafe behavior to this person, don't make the issue about you. Make it about the dangers and about company policy and about not wanting this person to get injured. If you sense resistance, try appealing to standards. For example:
You: “What is the reason for electrical inspections? Is it to make sure the installation is safe?”
Inspector: “Yes, that's why.”
You: “Then doesn't it make sense that the inspector also needs to be safe?”
Normally, you would never have this conversation. But you might have to. And what if it doesn't work?
As noted, the typical electrical inspector is conscientious and safety-oriented. Supervisors of electrical inspectors know this and expect this. You can ask this person to discuss the unsafe behavior with his/her supervisor. That should solve the problem.
In the worst-case scenario, you'll have to document the problem (make a video of the debate between your recalcitrant inspector and yourself, making sure you stay calm) and have the inspector escorted off the premises. Then use the evidence to appeal to the AHJ to get you a conscientious and safety-oriented inspector.
