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(continued)
(c) Linemen's Body Belts, Safety Straps and Lanyards.
(1) Linemen's body belts and safety straps purchased after January 1, 1993, shall be labeled as meeting the requirements contained in ASTM F 887-91, Standard Specifications for Personal Climbing Equipment.
Exception: Linemen's body belts and safety straps purchased before January 1, 1993 which are labeled/tagged as meeting either the ANSI A10.14 or ASTM F 887 Standard in effect at the time of purchase.
(2) Body belts, safety straps, and lanyards shall be inspected by a qualified person each day before use to determine that they are safe. Those determined to be unsafe shall be immediately removed from service.
(3) Safety straps shall not be used when any portion of the red safety marker strip in the strap is exposed.
(4) Leather shall not be used for safety straps.
(d) Ladders.
(1) Portable conductive ladders shall not be used near energized conductors or exposed energized parts of equipment except as may be necessary in specialized work such as in high voltage substations where non-conductive ladders might present a greater hazard than conductive ladders.
(2) Portable conductive ladders shall be legibly marked with signs reading "Caution -Do Not Use Near Energized Electrical Equipment" or equivalent wording.
(3) Portable ladders used on structures shall be secured to prevent them from being accidentally displaced.
(e) Live Line Tools.
(1) Live line tools shall meet the requirements specified in Appendix "B."
(2) Live line tools shall be visually inspected for defects before use each day. Tools to be used shall be wiped clean and if defects are indicated such tools shall not be used.
(f) Conductive measuring tapes, ropes or similar measuring devices shall not be used when working on or near exposed energized conductors or parts of equipment.
(g) Handtools.
(1) Hydraulic tools which are used on or near exposed energized conductors or equipment shall use non-conductive hoses having adequate strength for normal operating pressures. The provisions of Section 3556, General Industry Safety Orders, Title 8, California Code of Regulations, shall also apply.
(2) Pneumatic tools which are used on or near exposed energized conductors or equipment shall:
(A) have non-conductive hoses having adequate strength for the normal operating pressures and
(B) have an accumulator on the compressor to collect moisture.
Note: For the purposes of subsections (f) and (g) energized conductors on which temporary insulating devices have been installed shall be considered "exposed."
(3) Pressure shall be released before connections are broken, unless quick acting, self-closing connectors are used. Hoses shall not be kinked.
(h) Conductive Objects. Conductive objects of a length capable of contacting energized conductors shall not be carried into the level of such conductors unless suitable means are taken to prevent accidental contact.
(i) Lines used for emergency rescue such as lowering a person to the ground shall have a minimum breaking strength of 2650 pounds and shall be readily available on the job site.
(j) Apparel. The employer shall ensure that each employee who is exposed to the hazards of flames or electric arcs does not wear clothing that, when exposed to flames or electric arcs, could increase the extent of injury that would be sustained by the employee. This subsection prohibits clothing made from the following types of fabrics, either alone or in blends, unless the employee can demonstrate that the fabric has been treated with flame retardant: acetate, nylon, polyester, and rayon.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
s 2940.7. Mechanical Equipment.
(a) General.
(1) Each day, prior to use, visual inspections and operational checks shall be made of equipment to determine that it is in safe operating condition.
(2) Truck warning devices shall comply with the provisions of Section 3706, General Industry Safety Orders, Title 8, California Code of Regulations.
(3) Hydraulic fluids used for the insulated sections of derrick trucks, aerial lifts, and hydraulic tools which are used on or near energized conductors or equipment shall be of the insulating type.
(b) Aerial Lifts.
(1) Except as otherwise required or permitted by these orders, personnel aerial lift equipment used in the construction, operation or maintenance of electric power supply systems shall comply with the requirements of the General Industry Safety Orders, Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Article 24, Elevating Work Platforms and Aerial Devices.
(2)(A) When working near energized lines or equipment, aerial lift trucks shall be grounded or barricaded and considered as energized equipment, or the aerial lift truck boom shall be insulated for the voltage being worked on.
(B) Aerial lifts/digger derricks used for rubber gloving high voltage conductors and equipment energized over 7,500 volts shall have both upper and lower horizontal and vertical positioning controls. Both sets of controls shall be operational when high voltage work is being done.
(C) A minimum distance that must be extended shall be marked on the insulated portion of the boom on digger derrick vehicles to meet the dielectric capabilities required for the voltages involved. The minimum distance that shall be maintained is three (3) feet.
(D) When performing work on voltages above 7,500 volts, buckets of aerial lifts/digger derricks shall have insulating bucket liners with a liner bottom protector installed.
(E) Effective Feb. 23, 1998, insulating booms of aerial lifts/digger derricks used for work on energized high voltage conductors and equipment shall have a periodic dielectric test performed every 12 months in accordance with paragraph 5.4.3.2 of American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Standard A92.2 (1990), Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Aerial Devices, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
(F) Effective Feb. 23, 1998, insulated bucket liners used for work on energized high voltage conductors and equipment shall have a periodic dielectric test performed every 12 months in accordance with paragraph 5.4.3.5 of American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Standard A92.2 (1990), Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Aerial Devices, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Note: Newly purchased and placed in service aerial lifts/digger derricks labeled or certified by the manufacturer as meeting the requirements of ANSI 92.2 (1990) are exempt from field testing for one year.
(3) Equipment or material shall not be passed between a pole or structure and an aerial lift while an employee working from the aerial lift is within reaching distance of energized conductors or equipment that are not covered with insulating protective equipment.
(4)(A) Employees in aerial lift equipment shall be secured to the lift equipment when in an elevated position by a lanyard attached to a safety belt, body belt or body harness.
(B) Safety belts/body belts are prohibited for use in personal fall arrest systems, but may be used as part of a fall restraint or positioning device system.
(C) Safety belts/body belts used as part of a positioning device system shall be rigged such that an employee cannot free fall more than 2 feet.
(D) A body harness may be used in a personal fall restraint, positioning or fall arrest system. When a body harness is used in a fall arrest system, the lanyard shall be rigged with a deceleration device to limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds and prevent the employee from hitting any levels or objects below the basket or platform, and shall limit free fall to a maximum of 6 feet.
(5)(A) Climbing on the edge of a basket or work platform railing of aerial lift equipment or using planks across a basket or work platform railing for added height shall be prohibited. Except in an emergency involving immediate hazard to life, no employee shall be permitted to climb in or out of a basket or work platform with railings, unless it is in the cradle position; at ground level; or is equipped with a self-closing gate so designed and constructed that it will not open outwardly nor inadvertently.
(B) When an employee is elevated in aerial lift equipment without full controls at the upper level, there shall be an employee in the immediate vicinity of the lower level controls which must be "readily accessible" to that employee.
(6) Clearances. Metal booms, metal baskets, or metal platforms of personnel aerial lift equipment operated in accordance with Section 2949 shall not be brought closer than the distances specified in Section 2940.2(b) Table 2940.2 to any exposed energized conductors or equipment.
(7) Visual Inspection. A visual inspection of personnel aerial lift equipment for defects and safe operating conditions shall be made daily, prior to use. Insulated sections of the boom shall be maintained in a clean condition.
(8) Shop Inspection. A shop inspection of personnel aerial lift equipment shall be made at such intervals as may be reasonably necessary to maintain the equipment in a safe operating condition. Inspection information shall be recorded by the owner of the equipment.
(9) Warning Lights. Approved-type flashing amber warning lights shall be installed and used on vehicles having personnel aerial lift equipment in use on a highway or when moving at a speed slower than the normal flow of traffic.
(10) Operating Controls. Articulating boom and extensible boom platforms, primarily designed as personnel carriers, shall have both platform (upper) and lower controls. Upper controls shall be in or beside the platform within easy reach of the operator. Lower controls shall provide for over-riding the upper controls. Controls shall be plainly marked as to their function. Lower level controls shall not be operated unless permission has been obtained from the employee in the lift, except in case of emergency.
(11) Stop Mechanism. Personnel aerial lift equipment shall be equipped with a stop mechanism readily available to the employee at the work platform in addition to controls at the truck level.
(12) Aerial lift equipment shall be operated to check each of its functions prior to each day's use. Only equipment in proper operating condition shall be used.
(c) Derrick Trucks, Cranes and Other Lifting Equipment.
(1) Derrick trucks, cranes and other lifting equipment shall comply with Articles 91 through 100 of the General Industry Safety Orders except:
(A) as stated in Section 2946 of these orders relating to clearance (for clearances in this section see Section 2940.2(b) Table 2940.2), and
(B) derrick trucks (electric line trucks) shall not be required to comply with ANSI B30.5 and B30.6 as referenced in Section 4884, General Industry Safety Orders, Title 8, California Code of Regulations.
(2) With the exception of equipment certified for work on the proper voltage, mechanical equipment shall not be operated closer to any energized conductor or exposed energized parts of equipment than the clearances set forth in Section 2940.2(b) Table 2940.2 unless:
(A) an insulated barrier is installed between the energized part and the mechanical equipment, or
(B) the mechanical equipment is insulated.
(3) When setting, moving, or removing poles using cranes, derricks, gin poles, A-frames, or other mechanized equipment near energized conductors or equipment, precautions shall be taken to avoid contact with energized conductors or exposed energized parts of equipment except where barriers or protective devices are used.
(d) Hoisting Devices.
(1) A crane, boom, derrick, hoist, or winch shall not be loaded beyond the rated capacity or safe working load, whichever is smaller.
(A) Except as provided in (B) below, such devices shall not be left unattended while a load is suspended, unless the load is suspended over water, a barricaded area, or is blocked up or otherwise supported from below during repairs or emergency.
(B) While energized conductors are supported or suspended with an umbrella arm, auxiliary hot arm, or similar devices, and employees are working in an elevated position where the conductor movement could present a hazard to them, there shall be an employee at ground level at the pole or structure where the conductors are supported. The boom operating controls shall be readily accessible to such employee.
(2) During construction, operation or maintenance of power transmission and distribution systems, employees operating equipment such as cranes, booms, or derricks, shall not be permitted to stand on a grounded surface, other than the equipment itself, when such equipment is operated within 6 feet of exposed energized high voltage conductors or equipment. During movement of such cranes, booms, or derricks, employees on the ground shall be required to stay clear of the equipment.
(e) Hoisting Cables.
(1) Chains, wire ropes, and fiber ropes used for hoisting purposes shall be of sufficient strength to safely lift or otherwise handle the loads. The maximum allowable working loads shall be based on manufacturer's specifications.
(2) During construction, operation, or maintenance of power transmission and distribution systems, wire rope or chains, except slings, shall not be used to raise or lower transformers, poles or any other material within 6 feet of exposed energized high voltage conductors or equipment.
Exception: No. 1: When the cable is rigged below exposed energized conductors or equipment a sufficient distance (not less than specified in Section 2940.2(b) Table 2940.2) to prevent the possibility of electrical contact between such conductors or equipment and the cable or conductive material being raised or lowered.
Exception: No. 2: When the cable and any conductive material being raised or lowered are protected by insulating covering placed on such energized conductors or equipment.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
s 2940.8. Material Handling.
(a) Unloading. Prior to and during the unloading of poles, crossarms, and similar material, the load shall be thoroughly examined to ascertain if the load has shifted, binders or stakes have broken or the load is otherwise hazardous to employees. Where a hazardous condition is noted, positive means shall be taken to eliminate the hazard. Employees shall not stand on top or in the potential path of an unsecured load while unloading poles from pole dollies or utility trailers.
(b) Pole Hauling.
(1) During pole hauling operations, all loads shall be secured to prevent displacement and a red flag shall be displayed at the trailing end of the load.
(2) When hauling poles during the hours of darkness, illuminated warning devices shall be attached to the trailing end of the load.
(c) Storage. When materials or equipment are stored under energized bus, energized conductors, or near exposed energized equipment, applicable clearances shall be maintained as stated in Section 2946 Table 1, except when such work is performed by qualified electrical workers, or as provided in Section 2944(c)(3) and (c)(4).
(d) Tag Lines. Tag lines used near energized conductors shall be of a non-conductive type.
(e) Attaching the Load. Hoist ropes shall not be wrapped around the load. This provision shall not apply to electric construction crews when setting or removing poles.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
s 2940.9. Protection from Backfeed Voltages.
Before contacting the high voltage side of deenergized transformer(s), or conductor(s) connected thereto, all possible sources of backfeed shall be eliminated by:
(a) disconnecting or grounding the high voltage side, or
(b) disconnecting or short circuiting the low voltage side.
Exception: System(s) worked as energized.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
s 2941. Work on or in Proximity to Overhead High Voltage Lines.
Overhead High Voltage Lines.
(a) Application. This section applies to all work on or in proximity to overhead high voltage lines.
(b) Access to Insulators. The employer shall furnish suitable aerial lift equipment, portable platforms or other devices to permit employees to work on insulators attached to poles, towers, or structures, when such insulators are not otherwise safely accessible.
Climbing of insulators as a means of access for the purpose of cleaning the insulators shall be prohibited except for those insulators on transmission lines normally energized at or above 115 kv which are:
(1) On towers inaccessible by mobile washing equipment; or
(2) Where conventional washing operations are inadequate to remove contamination from the insulators.
Climbing of insulator strings is prohibited in all cases, including those where the tower is inaccessible or conventional washing operations are inadequate, where the insulator strings contain unsafe insulators. Unsafe insulators are those which are cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged to the extent that an insulator would present an unsafe surface upon which to step.
(c) Riding Span Wires. No employee shall be permitted to ride any suspended wire or cable until it has been determined by reasonably available means that such wire or cable is of sufficient strength for the purpose. No employee shall be permitted to ride any suspended wire or cable on other than a cable-riding device designed for the purpose.
(d) Inspection. Prior to climbing poles or other elevated structures supporting overhead electrical lines or equipment, an inspection shall be made to assure that such poles or structures are in safe condition for the work to be performed. Where poles or structures are determined to be unsafe for climbing, they shall not be climbed until made safe by guying, bracing or other adequate means.
(e) Pole Steps. Wood poles (such as poles equipped with risers, potheads, transformers, capacitors, switches where the switch is not operable from near ground level, or other line sectionalizing devices) which are expected to be frequently climbed for maintenance or operating purposes shall be stepped in accordance with Rule 51.7, General Order No. 95, 1981 Edition, Rules for Overhead Electric Line Construction of the California Public Utilities Commission, which is hereby incorporate by reference.
(f) Working on Conductors or Equipment Energized at 600 Volts or More.
(1) Employees shall not be permitted to touch or work on exposed energized conductors or equipment except when wearing suitable insulating gloves with protectors, or when using other suitable devices. Only rubber gloves labeled as being manufactured and tested to meet ASTM D120-95, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves, for the potential voltage exposure shall be used. Rubber gloves shall not be considered suitable devices when working on conductors or equipment energized in excess of 21,000 volts.
(A) When working with rubber gloves on primary conductors or equipment energized in excess of 7,500 volts, insulate/isolate procedures shall be used. Working directly from wooden poles or grounded structures shall not be permitted, unless working from an approved insulated platform. Documentation shall be maintained verifying that the employee is trained in insulate/isolate work procedures.
(B) All exposed energized high or low voltage conductors or equipment, communications conductors, grounded conductors, grounded structures, grounded guy wires and metallically grounded equipment, within reach of any part of the body, shall be covered with suitable protective equipment or barricaded.
Exception: Parts of the conductor or equipment and the supporting pole or tower on which work is to be performed.
(C) Only approved devices shall be used for picking up or dropping load and when making or breaking parallel circuits.
(D) When working with rubber gloves on primary conductors or equipment energized in excess of 7,500 volts from an aerial lift/digger derrick, a qualified person trained in first aid/CPR, radio procedures, use of aerial lift positioning controls and rescue procedures shall be present on the ground. The qualified person shall have access to the lower horizontal and vertical positioning controls of the aerial lift/digger derrick in case of an emergency.
(g) Working on De-Energized Conductors or Equipment. When working on de-energized conductors or equipment, all exposed energized conductors within reach of any part of the body, shall be covered with suitable protective equipment.
(h) Grounding De-Energized Conductors or Equipment. Any exposed ungrounded conductors or equipment not worked upon in accordance with the provisions of subsections (f) above, shall not be worked upon until the following provisions are complied with:
(1) Conductors or equipment to be grounded are clearly identified and isolated from all sources of voltage.
(2) Notification has been obtained from the designated employee that all switches or other points of isolation through which electric energy may be supplied to the conductors or equipment to be worked on have been opened and are plainly tagged indicating that employees are at work, and where the design permits, they have been rendered inoperable.
(3) When more than one independent crew requires the same conductors or equipment to be de-energized, a tag for each such independent crew has been placed at the switch(s)or other point(s) of isolation, except that where clearances for such independent crews are controlled by a designated authority having immediate jurisdiction over the conductors or equipment involved, only one tag need be installed at each switch or point of isolation.
(4) A test has been conducted to insure that conductors or equipment have been de-energized.
(5) The conductors or equipment shall be grounded and short-circuited.
(6) Suitable grounding devices shall be used. They shall be first connected to a ground before being brought into contact with any de-energized conductor or equipment to be grounded. The other end shall be attached and removed by means of insulated tools or other suitable devices. When removed they shall be removed from all circuit conductors or equipment before being disconnected from ground.
(7) There shall be a minimum of one ground on the conductors or equipment being worked on:
(A) between the place where the work is being done and each possible source of supply, or
(B) at each work location.
(8) One of the grounding devices shall be visible to at least one member of the crew unless one of the grounding devices has all of its component parts at least 15 feet above ground level to prevent tampering.
(9) Grounds shall be permitted to be temporarily removed for test purposes and extreme caution shall be exercised during test procedures.
(10) Grounding devices shall be capable of conducting the anticipated fault current and shall have a minimum conductance of No. 2 AWG copper. NOTE: Guidelines for protective grounding equipment are contained in American Society for Testing and Materials Standard Specifications for Temporary Grounding Systems to be Used on De-energized Electric Power Lines and Equipment, ASTM F 855-97.
(11) Temporary protective grounds shall be placed at such locations and arranged in such a manner as to prevent each employee from being exposed to hazardous differences in electrical potential.
(12) Upon completion of work on grounded conductors or equipment, the employee in charge of each independent crew shall determine that all employees in the crew are clear, and shall report to the designated authority that all tags protecting the crew may be removed. Prior to the energizing of the conductors or equipment, the employer shall ascertain that all employees are clear and all grounds are removed.
(i) Stringing or Removing Conductors.
(1) General.
(A) Precautions shall be taken to protect all employees from any accidental contact between the conductors being installed or removed and any energized conductors.
(B) Strains to which poles or structures will be subjected shall be considered and necessary action taken to prevent failure of supporting structures.
(C) A briefing shall be held setting forth the plan of operation, the type of equipment to be used, grounding devices and procedures to be followed, crossover methods to be employed and the clearance authorization required.
(D) When there is a possibility of the conductor accidentally contacting any energized high voltage circuit or receiving a hazardous induced voltage buildup, the conductor being installed or removed shall be grounded or provisions made to isolate or insulate the employees.
(E) 1. If an existing high voltage line being crossed is de-energized, proper clearance authorization shall be secured and the line grounded at or on both sides of the crossover or the conductors being crossed shall be considered energized.
2. When crossing over or within 10 feet under conductors energized in excess of 300 volts, rope nets or guard structures shall be installed unless provision is made to isolate or insulate the workers or the energized conductor. Where practical the automatic reclosing feature of the circuit interrupting device shall be made inoperative. In addition, the line being strung shall be grounded on either side of the crossing or considered and worked as energized.
(F) Conductors shall be kept under control by the use of tension reels, guard structures, tielines or other means to prevent contact with energized circuits.
(G) Guard structures shall be of adequate dimension and strength to safely support anticipated loads.
(H) Rigging.
1. The rated capacity of catch-off anchors, rigging, and hoists shall not be exceeded.
2. The design load rating shall not be exceeded for the stringing lines, pulling lines, sock connections, and all load-bearing hardware and accessories.
3. Pulling lines and accessories shall be inspected regularly and replaced or repaired when damaged.
(I) Grips shall only be used for the purpose for which they are designed.
(J) While the conductor or pulling line is in motion:
1. employees on wood poles shall not be permitted to be on the crossarm,
2. employees on steel structures shall not be permitted to be on the crossarm except as necessary to install the conductor or pulling line into the stringing sheaves and
3. employees on the ground shall not be permitted directly under the conductor or pulling line in motion except as necessary to perform work directly related to the stringing operation.
(K) A transmission clipping crew shall have a minimum of two structures "clipped-in" between the crew and the conductor being sagged in the adjacent pull. When working on conductors, clipping and tying crews shall work between grounds at all times. The grounds shall remain intact until the conductors are "clipped-in," except on dead end structures.
(L) 1. Reel handling equipment, including pulling and braking machines, shall have ample capacity, operate smoothly, and be leveled and aligned in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instruction.
2. Suitable communications between the reel tender and pulling rig operator shall be provided.
3. Each pull shall be snubbed or dead ended at both ends before subsequent pulls are made.
(2) Adjacent to Energized High Voltage Lines.
(A) Prior to stringing or removing conductors adjacent to an existing energized overhead high voltage line a determination shall be made to ascertain whether hazardous induced voltage buildups will occur. When it has been determined that such hazardous induced voltages may exist, the employer shall comply with the following provisions (B through I) unless the line is worked as energized.
(B) The tension stringing method or other methods which preclude unintentional contact between the lines being pulled and any employee shall be used.
(C) All pulling and tensioning equipment shall be grounded or shall be considered as energized and shall be barricaded, isolated or insulated.
(D) A ground shall be installed between the tensioning reel setup and the first structure in order to ground each bare conductor, subconductor, and overhead ground conductor during stringing operations.
(E) Each bare conductor, subconductor, and overhead ground conductor shall be grounded at the first tower adjacent to both the tensioning and pulling setup and in increments so that no point is more than 2 miles from a ground.
1. The grounds shall be left in place until conductor installation is completed.
2. Such grounds shall be removed as the last phase of aerial cleanup.
3. Except for traveling type grounds, the grounds shall be placed and removed by use of a non-conductive means.
(F) Conductors, subconductors, and overhead ground conductors shall be grounded at all dead-end or catch-off points.
(G) A ground shall be located at each side and within 10 feet of working areas where conductors, subconductors, or overhead ground conductors are being spliced at ground level. The two ends to be spliced shall be bonded to each other.
(H) The conductors, subconductors, and overhead ground conductors being worked on shall be bonded to the tower.
(I) Employees standing on the ground shall not be permitted to contact equipment or machinery working near energized lines or equipment unless the employee is using suitable protective equipment for the voltage involved.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
s 2941.1. Metal Tower Construction.
(a) All excavations shall be performed in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the Construction Safety Orders, Title 8,California Administrative Code.
(b) (1) A designated employee shall be used in directing mobile equipment adjacent to footing excavations.
(2) No one shall be permitted to remain in the footing excavation while equipment is being spotted for placement.
(c) (1) Guy lines shall be used as necessary to maintain sections or parts of sections in position and to reduce the possibility of tipping.
(2) Members and sections being assembled shall be adequately supported.
(d) When assembling and erecting towers the provisions of (1), (2) and (3) following shall be complied with.
(1) The construction of transmission towers and the erecting of poles, hoisting machinery, site preparation machinery, and other types of construction machinery shall conform to the applicable requirements of this article.
(2) No one shall be permitted under a tower which is in the process of erection or assembly, except as may be required to guide and secure the section being set.
(3) When erecting towers using hoisting equipment adjacent to energized transmission lines, the minimum clearance distances required by Section 2940.2(b), Table 2940.2 shall be maintained.
(e) (1) Erection cranes shall be set on a firm foundation and when the cranes are so equipped, outriggers shall be used.
(2) Tag lines shall be utilized to maintain control of tower sections being raised and positioned.
(3) The loadline shall not be detached from a tower section until the section is adequately secured.
(4) Except during emergency restoration procedures, erection shall be discontinued in the event of high wind or other adverse weather conditions which would make the work hazardous.
(5) Equipment and rigging shall be regularly inspected and shall be maintained in a safe operating condition.
(f) Traffic control shall be provided in accordance with provisions of Article 11, Sections 1598 and 1599 of the Construction Safety Orders, Title 8, California Administrative Code.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
s 2941.2. Washing Insulators Supporting Energized Conductors or Equipment.
(a) Testing of Water.
(1) The minimum resistivity of water shall be 500 ohm/in 3.
(2) Every load of water shall be tested immediately prior to use.
(b) Grounding and Bonding Requirements When Using Conductive Hoses.
(1) When washing with a hand gun or utilizing fixed sprinklers, the pumper truck shall be bonded to the same metal structure supporting the insulators being washed.
(2) All equipment used in the washing procedure shall be bonded to the metal structure supporting the insulators being washed.
(3) During washing operations, employees shall not be permittedto step on or off the truck or metal structure, or touch any part of the truck, conductive hoses or metal structure while standing on the ground.
(4) When washing has been completed, the nozzle operator shall be required to remain stationary in his position and observe until the truck operator has disconnected the hose and the truck bond from the metal structure.
(c) Grounding and Bonding Requirements When Using Non-Conductive Hoses.
(1) When a non-conductive hose is used and the operator is in contact with the metal structure, the gun, if conductive, shall be bonded to such structure.
(d) Operational Checks. Prior to the start of washing operations each day, a check shall be made of the insulator washing equipment.Such check shall include, but is not limited to the following: aerial lift equipment, pumps, communication equipment and lights.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
s 2942. Tubular Steel Poles.
Tubular steel power line poles installed six months or more after the effective date of these orders shall meet the requirements of this section.
(a) All tubular steel pole structures shall be provided with access to the top of the structure, and the worker's vertical step distance shall be no greater than 18 inches. Where steps are the means of access, the lines of steps shall be located a maximum of 180 degrees apart and shall not exceed 20 inches of arc around the pole surface. Where removable pole steps are used they shall be secured in place when installed to avoid accidental dislodging. Steps and mounts shall be capable of supporting a 250 pound weight with a safety factor of 2.5 minimum.
(b) When Pole Steps are Used:
(1) Rest points at which workers may stand with both feet at the same level with provision for attaching a safety strap shall be provided at intervals not to exceed 20 feet.
(2) Belting-off loops (safety strap brackets) shall be installed on poles having a diameter exceeding 24 inches.
(c) Belting-off loops installed at rest points shall be permanently affixed to the pole in a vertical position. They shall be of such configuration as to permit easy attachment of a standard lineman's safety strap. They shall be capable of supporting a 250 pound weight with a safety factor of 2.5 minimum.
(d) Additional means shall be provided to permit movement over or around obstructions such as crossarms and post-type insulators.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
s 2943. Work on or in Proximity to Underground High-Voltage Cables, Conductors or Equipment.
(a) Application. This section applies to all work on or in proximity to underground high-voltage cables, conductors or equipment, and to the operations necessary to raise or lower cables, conductors or equipment to such underground locations.
(b) Manholes, Vaults, or Similar Structures.
(1) The employer shall comply with the confined space requirements of General Industry Safety Orders Article 108.
(2) Whenever the cover is removed from a manhole, vault, or similar structure:
(A) an employee shall be stationed at the surface as long as workers are in the structure, and
(B) warning devices shall be placed so as to warn vehicular or pedestrian traffic and shall not be removed until the cover is in place.
(3) When employees are working in an underground structure, the automatic circuit recloser on the circuit being worked shall be made non-automatic when:
(A) operating energized oil type switches from inside the structure,
(B) splicing energized underground cable,
(C) patching energized lead cable,
(D) relocating energized underground cable or equipment other than minor cable movements for additional clearance or routine maintenance such as cleaning cable, fire-proofing, replacing cable support blocks, etc.,
(E) filtering or replacing oil in energized underground equipment, or
(F) the supervisor in charge deems it necessary for the safety of the employees performing the work.
(4) When employees are in an underground structure where newly installed, rebuilt or modified cable or equipment is being energized for the first time, the automatic circuit recloser on the circuit involved shall be made non-automatic.
(c) Trenching and Excavating.
(1) Trenching and excavation operations shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Construction Safety Orders.
(2) Where cable(s) exist in an excavation, such cable(s) shall be protected from physical damage during excavation.
(d) Working on Cables, Conductors or Equipment Energized at 7,500 Volts or Less.
(1) Employees shall not be permitted to cut, splice, or move cables energized at 7,500 volts or less without first obtaining permission from the employee in charge.
(2) Before cutting into a cable or opening a splice, the cable shall be identified and verified to be the proper cable.
(3) Suitable rubber gloves with protectors shall be worn when working on exposed conductors or equipment energized at 7,500 volts or less. Other exposed energized or grounded conductors or equipment in the work area, with which contact can be readily made, shall be covered with adequate protective devices, barricaded or otherwise isolated.
(4) Before breaking the electrical continuity of metallic sheaths of cables energized at 7,500 volts or less, both sides of the break shall be bonded together across the break.
(5) When working on exposed underground conductors or parts of equipment energized at 7,500 volts or less, adequate barriers or suitable protective covering shall be provided if a working space of 36 inches cannot be obtained.
(e) Working on Cables, Conductors or Equipment Energized in Excess of 7,500 Volts.
(1) When working on cables, conductors or equipment energized in excess of 7,500 volts, all exposed energized cables, conductors or equipment within reach of any part of the body shall be covered with suitable protective equipment or barricaded.
(2) The only work permitted on cables, conductors or equipment energized in excess of 7,500 volts shall be:
(A) replacing fuses, operating switches, or other operations that do not require the employee to contact energized conductors or parts of equipment with any part of the employee's body,
(B) working on the exterior of such cables or equipment, provided all current-carrying parts are effectively covered by grounded shielding or metallic enclosures, and
(C) work in the high voltage compartment of padmounted transformers and similar equipment installed above ground, provided the work is done by suitable devices. Rubber gloves shall not be considered to be suitable devices.
(3) Cables energized in excess of 7,500 volts shall be moved only under the direction of the employee in charge. Before moving cables, they shall be examined for any defects which might result in failure if the cable were moved.
(f) Working on De-Energized Cables, Conductors or Equipment.
(1) When working on de-energized cables, conductors or equipment, all exposed energized conductors or equipment within reach of any part of the body, shall be covered with suitable protective equipment.
(2) Where more than one cable exists in an excavation, cables other than the one being worked on shall be physically protected as necessary.
(3) Where more than one cable exists in an excavation, the cable to be worked on shall be identified by electrical means or spiking unless its identity is obvious.
(4) Before cutting into a cable or opening a splice, the cable shall be identified and verified to be the proper cable.
(g) Grounding De-Energized Conductors or Equipment.
(1) Any exposed ungrounded part of conductors or equipment, not worked upon in accordance with the provisions of subsections (d) or (e) above, shall not be worked upon until the following provisions have been complied with.
(A) Conductor(s) or equipment to be grounded are clearly identified and isolated from all sources of voltage.
(B) Notification has been obtained from the designated employee that all switches or other points of isolation through which electric energy may be supplied to the conductors or equipment to be worked on have been opened and are plainly tagged indicating that employees are at work, and where the design permits, they have been rendered inoperable.
(C) Visual inspection or tests are made to insure that cable(s), conductor(s) or equipment have been de-energized.
(D) Guards or barriers are installed as necessary to prevent contact with exposed energized conductors or equipment.
(E) Grounds are applied except where their installation or use increases the working hazard. Grounds shall be permitted to be removed for test purposes.
(F) Suitable grounding devices shall be used. They shall be first connected to a ground before being brought into contact with any de-energized conductors or equipment to be grounded. The other end shall be attached and removed by means of insulated tools or other suitable devices. When removed, they shall be removed from all conductors or equipment before being disconnected from ground.
(G) When required, there shall be a minimum of one ground on the conductors or equipment being worked on:
1. between the place where the work is being done and each possible source of supply,
2. at the work location, or
3. as close as practicable to the source of supply.
(H) One of the grounding devices shall be visible to at least one member of the crew unless one of the grounding devices is accessible only to authorized persons.
(I) Grounding devices shall be capable of conducting the anticipated fault current and shall have a minimum conductance of No. 2 AWG copper.
(J) When more than one independent crew requires the same cable(s), conductor(s) or equipment to be de-energized, a tag for each such independent crew shall be placed on the cable(s), conductor(s) or equipment. Where clearances for such independent crews are controlled by a designated authority having immediate jurisdiction over the cable(s), conductor(s) or equipment involved only one tag need be installed.
(2) Upon completion of work the employee in charge of each independent crew shall determine that all employees in the crew are clear, and shall report to the designated authority that all tags protecting the crew may be removed.
(3) Prior to the energizing of the cable(s) or equipment, the employer shall ascertain that all employees are clear and all grounds are removed.
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
s 2944. Work on or in Proximity to Conductors and Equipment Located in High-Voltage Stations, or Switchyards.
(a) This section applies to only that work performed on or in proximity to exposed high-voltage conductors and equipment which is not covered by Sections 2941, 2942 and 2943 of these orders, such as stations, switchyards and other similar installations.
(b) Identification. All switchboards shall be provided with readily legible circuit identification. Identification shall be provided for each circuit breaker, each set of disconnecting switches, and each set of grounding switches.
(c) Work Near Energized Equipment and Facilities.
(1) No person other than a qualified electrical worker shall perform work or take any conducting object within the area where there is a hazard of contact with energized conductors unless directly under the observation of a qualified person.
(2) When working around energized equipment, precautions shall be taken to prevent any material or tools from accidentally contacting energized conductors or equipment.
(3) Temporary Barriers. Suitable temporary barriers in or adjacent to the work area shall be used to prevent accidental contact by workers with energized high voltage parts.
(4) Tape Barricades. Suitable barricade tape shall be used to mark off and bar approach to dangerous areas. An employee shall not be permitted to cross over or under the tape while it is barricading an area, except in an emergency or when work in progress requires the employee to enter the dangerous area. While in the area, the employee shall be continuously watched by a qualified person for the purpose of preventing an accident.
(d) Mechanized Equipment.
(1) Use of vehicles, gin poles, cranes and other equipment in restricted or hazardous areas shall at all times be controlled by designated employees.
(2) Mobile cranes or derricks shall not be permitted closer to exposed energized conductors or equipment than the distances set forth in Section 2940.2(b), Table 2940.2 unless the hoisting equipment is insulated for the voltage involved.
(e) (1) Working on Conductors or Equipment Energized at 7,500 Volts or Less. When working on conductors or equipment energized at 7,500 volts or less, all energized conductors or equipment and all grounded conductors or equipment, including guy wires, within reach of any part of the body, shall be isolated, barricaded, or covered with suitable protective equipment.
Exception: That part of the conductor or equipment on which work is to be performed need not be covered.
(2) Employees shall not be permitted to touch or work on any exposed energized conductor or equipment except when wearing suitable rubber gloves with protectors, or when using other suitable devices.
(f) Working on Conductors or Equipment Energized in Excess of 7,500 Volts. All work on conductors or equipment energized in excess of 7,500 volts shall be done by means of suitable devices. Rubber gloves shall not be considered to be suitable devices.
(g) Working on De-energized Conductors or Equipment. When working on de-energized conductors or equipment, all exposed energized conductors or equipment regardless of voltage within reach of any part of the body, shall be covered with suitable protective equipment.
(h) Grounding De-energized Conductors or Equipment.
(1) Any exposed ungrounded part of conductors or equipment not worked upon in accordance with the provisions of subsections(e) or (f) above, shall not be worked upon until the following provisions have been complied with:
(A) Conductors or equipment to be grounded are clearly identified and isolated from all sources of voltage.
(B) Notification has been obtained from the designated employee that all switches or other points of isolation through which electric energy may be supplied to the conductors or equipment to be worked on have been opened and are plainly tagged indicating that employees are at work, and where the design permits, they have been rendered inoperable.
(C) Visual inspection and tests are made to insure that equipment or conductors have been de-energized.
(D) Guards or barriers are installed as necessary to prevent contact with exposed energized conductors or equipment.
(E) Grounds are applied, except where their installation or use increases the working hazard. Grounds shall be permitted to be removed for test purposes.
(F) Suitable grounding devices shall be used. They shall be first connected to a ground before being brought into contact with any de-energized conductor or equipment to be grounded. The other end shall be attached and removed by means of insulated tools or other suitable devices. When removed, they shall be removed from all conductors or equipment before being disconnected from ground.
(G) When required, there shall be a minimum of one ground on the conductors or equipment being worked on:
1. between the place where the work is being done and each possible source of supply,
2. at the work location, or
3. as close as practicable to the source of supply.
(H) One of the grounding devices shall be visible to at least one member of the crew unless one of the grounding devices is accessible only to authorized persons.
(I) Grounding devices shall be capable of conducting the anticipated fault current and shall have a minimum conductance of No. 2 AWG copper.
(J) When more than one independent crew requires the same conductors or equipment to be de-energized, a tag for each such independent crew shall be placed on the conductors or equipment. Where clearances for such independent crews are controlled by a designated authority having immediate jurisdiction over the conductors or equipment involved, only one tag need be installed.
(2) Upon completion of work the employee in charge of each independent crew shall determine that all employees in the crew are clear and shall report to the designated authority that all tags protecting the crew may be removed.
(3) Prior to the energizing of the conductors or equipment, the employer shall ascertain that all employees are clear and all grounds are removed.
(i) Access to Insulators. The employer shall furnish suitable aerial lift equipment, portable platforms, or other devices to permit employees to work on insulators or bushings attached to poles, towers, structures, or equipment when such insulators or bushings are not otherwise safely accessible.
(j) Prior to climbing poles or other elevated structures supporting overhead electrical lines or equipment, an inspection shall be made to ensure that such poles or structure are in safe condition for the work to be performed. Where poles or structures are determined to be unsafe for climbing, they shall not be climbed until made safe by guying, bracing or other adequate means. (continued)