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WACs > Title 296 > Chapter 296-155 > Section 296-155-428
296-155-426
296-155-429
No agency filings affecting this section since 2003
WAC 296-155-428
General requirements.
(1) Protection of employees.
(a) No employer shall permit an employee to work in such proximity to any part of an electric power circuit that the employee could contact the electric power circuit in the course of work, unless the employee is protected against electric shock by de-energizing the circuit and grounding it or by guarding it effectively by insulation or other means.
(b) No person, firm, corporation, or agent of same, shall require or permit any employee to perform any function in proximity to electrical conductors or to engage in any excavation, construction, demolition, repair, or other operation, unless and until danger from accidental contact with said electrical conductors has been effectively guarded by de-energizing the circuit and grounding it or by guarding it by effective insulation or other effective means.
(c) In work areas where the exact location of underground electric powerlines is unknown, no activity which may bring employees into contact with those powerlines shall begin until the powerlines have been positively and unmistakably de-energized and grounded.
(d) Before work is begun the employer shall ascertain by inquiry or direct observation, or by instruments, whether any part of an energized electric power circuit, exposed or concealed, is so located that the performance of the work may bring any person, tool, or machine into physical or electrical contact with the electric power circuit. The employer shall post and maintain proper warning signs where such a circuit exists. The employer shall advise employees of the location of such lines, the hazards involved, and the protective measures to be taken.
(e) No work shall be performed, no material shall be piled, stored or otherwise handled, no scaffolding, commercial signs, or structures shall be erected or dismantled, nor any tools, machinery or equipment operated within the specified minimum distances from any energized high voltage electrical conductor capable of energizing the material or equipment; except where the electrical distribution and transmission lines have been de-energized and visibly grounded at point of work, or where insulating barriers not a part of or an attachment to the equipment have been erected, to prevent physical contact with the lines, equipment shall be operated proximate to, under, over, by, or near energized conductors only in accordance with the following:
(i) For lines rated 50 kV. or below, minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the equipment or load shall be ten feet.
(ii) For lines rated over 50 kV. minimum, clearance between the lines and any part of the equipment or load shall be ten feet plus 0.4 inch or each 1 kV. over 50 kV., or twice the length of the line insulator but never less than ten feet.
(f) Work on energized equipment. Only qualified persons shall work on electric circuit parts of equipment that have not been deenergized under the procedures of WAC 296-155-429(4). Such persons shall be capable of working safely on energized circuits and shall be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools.
(g) Overhead electric lines. Where overhead electric conductors are encountered in proximity to a work area, the employer shall be responsible for:
(i) Ascertaining the voltage and minimum clearance distance required; and
(ii) Maintaining the minimum clearance distance; and
(iii) Ensuring that the requirements of this section are complied with.
(h) If relocation of the electrical conductors is necessary, arrangements shall be made with the owners of the lines for such relocation.
(i) Barriers.
(i) Barriers shall be of such character and construction as to effectively provide the necessary protection without creating other hazards or jeopardizing the operation of the electrical circuits.
(ii) Barriers installed within the ten feet clearance from conductors shall be installed only under the supervision of authorized and qualified persons and this shall include a representative of the electrical utility or owner involved.
(j) Exceptions.
(i) These rules do not apply to the construction, reconstruction, operation, and maintenance, of overhead electrical lines, structures, and associated equipment by authorized and qualified electrical workers.
(ii) These rules do not apply to authorized and qualified employees engaged in the construction, reconstruction, operation, and maintenance, of overhead electrical circuits or conductors and associated equipment of rail transportation systems or electrical generating, transmission, distribution and communication systems which are covered by chapters 296-45 and 296-32 WAC.
(k) Special precautions must be taken.
(i) When handling any winch lines, guy wires, or other free cable, wire or rope in the vicinity of any electrical conductors.
(ii) When pulling a winch line, or other cable or rope under energized electrical conductors from a boom, mast, pile driver, etc., in such a manner as to make possible an approach to within ten feet of a conductor.
(iii) When there is possibility of a winch line, cable, etc., either becoming disconnected or breaking under load because of excessive strain and flipping up into overhead conductors.
(iv) When placing steel, concrete reinforcement, wire mesh, etc.
(v) When handling pipe or rod sections in connection with digging wells or test holes.
(vi) When moving construction equipment, apparatus, machinery, etc., all such movements must avoid striking supporting structures, guy wires, or other elements of the electrical utility system causing the conductors to so swing or move as to decrease clearances to less than ten feet from construction equipment, or to cause them to come together.
(l) Warning sign required.
(i) An approved durable warning sign legible at twelve feet, reading "It is unlawful to operate this equipment within ten feet of electrical conductors" shall be posted and maintained in plain view of the operator at the controls of each crane, derrick, shovel, drilling rig, pile driver or similar apparatus which is capable of vertical, lateral or swinging motion.
(ii) A similar sign shall be installed on the outside of the equipment and located as to be readily visible to mechanics or other persons engaged in the work operation.
(iii) Signs shall be not less than 6" x 8" dimensions with the word "WARNING" or "DANGER" in large letters and painted red across the top and the other letters in black painted on yellow background.
(m) Any overhead wire shall be considered to be an energized line until the owner of such line or the electrical utility authorities indicate that it is not an energized line and it has been visibly grounded.
(2) Passageways and open spaces.
(a) Barriers or other means of guarding shall be provided to ensure that workspace for electrical equipment will not be used as a passageway during periods when energized parts of electrical equipment are exposed.
(b) Working spaces, walkways, and similar locations shall be kept clear of cords so as not to create a tripping hazard to employees.
(3) Load ratings. In existing installations, no changes in circuit protection shall be made to increase the load in excess of the load rating of the circuit wiring.
(4) Fuses. When fuses are installed or removed with one or both terminals energized, special tools insulated for the voltage shall be used.
(5) Cords and cables.
(a) Worn or frayed electric cords or cables shall not be used.
(b) Extension cords shall not be fastened with staples, hung from nails, or suspended by wire.
(6) Interlocks. Only a qualified person following the requirements of this section may defeat an electrical safety interlock, and then only temporarily while they are working on the equipment. The interlock systems shall be returned to its operable condition when this work is completed.
(7) Portable electric equipmentâHandling. Portable equipment shall be handled in a manner which will not cause damage. Flexible electric cords connected to equipment shall not be used for raising or lowering the equipment. Flexible cords shall not be fastened with staples or otherwise hung in such a fashion as could damage the outer jacket or insulation.
(8) Visual inspection. When an attachment plug is to be connected to a receptacle (including any on a cord set), the relationship of the plug and receptacle contacts shall first be checked to ensure they are of proper mating configurations.
(9) Connecting attachment plugs.
(a) Employees' hands shall not be wet when plugging and unplugging flexible cords and cord- and plug-connected equipment, if energized equipment is involved.
(b) Energized plug and receptacle connections shall be handled only with insulating protective equipment if the condition of the connection could provide a conducting path to the employee's hand (if, for example, a cord connector is wet from being immersed in water).
(c) Locking-type connectors shall be properly secured after connection.
(10) Routine opening and closing circuits. Load rated switches, circuit breakers, or other devices specifically designed as disconnecting means shall be used for the opening, reversing, or closing of circuits under load conditions. Cable connectors not of the load-break type, fuses, terminal lugs, and cable splice connections shall not be used for such purposes, except in an emergency.
(11) Reclosing circuits after protective device operation. After a circuit is deenergized by a circuit protective device, the circuit shall not be manually reenergized until it has been determined that the equipment and circuit can be safety energized. This repetitive manual reclosing of circuit breakers or reenergizing circuits through replaced fuses is prohibited.
Note:
When it can be determined from the design of the circuit and the overcurrent devices involved that the automatic operation of a device was caused by an overload rather than a fault connection, no examination of the circuit or connected equipment is needed before the circuit is reenergized.
(12) Test instruments and equipmentâUse. Only qualified persons shall perform testing work on electric circuits or equipment.
(13) Visual inspection. Test instruments and equipment and all associated test leads, cables, power cords, probes, and connectors shall be visually inspected for external defects and damage before the equipment is used. If there is a defect or evidence of damage that might expose an employee to injury, the defective or damaged item shall be removed from service, and no employee shall use it until necessary repairs and tests to render the equipment safe have been made.
(14) Rating of equipment. Test instruments and equipment and their accessories shall be rated for the circuits and equipment to which they will be connected and shall be designed for the environment in which they will be used.
(15) Occasional use of flammable or ignitible materials. Where flammable materials are present only occasionally, electric equipment capable of igniting them shall not be used, unless measures are taken to prevent hazardous conditions from developing. Such materials include, but are not limited to: Flammable gases, vapors, or liquids; combustible dust; and ignitible fibers or flyings.
(16) Work on energized equipment. Only qualified persons shall work on electric circuit parts of equipment that have not been deenergized under the procedures of WAC 296-155-429(4). Such persons shall be capable of working safely on energized circuits and shall be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools.
(17) Overhead lines. If work is to be performed near overhead lines, the lines shall be deenergized and grounded, or other protective measures shall be provided before work is started. If the lines are to be deenergized, arrangements shall be made with the person or organization that operates or controls the electric circuits involved to deenergize and ground them. If protective measures, such as guarding, isolating, or insulating, these precautions shall prevent employees from contacting such lines directly with any part of their body or indirectly through conductive materials, tools, or equipment.
(18) Unqualified persons. When an unqualified person is working in an elevated position, or on the ground, near overhead lines, the location shall be such that the person and the longest conductive object they may contact cannot come closer to any unguarded, energized overhead line than the following distances:
(a) For voltages to ground 50kV or belowâ10 ft.;
(b) For voltages to ground over 50kVâ10 ft. plus 0.4 inch for every 1kV over 50kV.
(19) Qualified persons. When a qualified person is working in the vicinity of overhead lines, whether in an elevated position or on the ground, the person shall not approach or take any conductive object without an approved insulating handle closer to exposed energized parts that are shown in subsection (1)(e) of this section unless:
(a) The person is insulated from the energized part (gloves, with sleeves if necessary), rated for the voltage involved are considered to be insulation of the person from the energized part on which work is performed; or
(b) The energized part is insulated both from all other conductive objects at a different potential and from the person; or
(c) The person is insulated from all conductive objects at a potential different from that of the energized part.
(20) Vehicular and mechanical equipment.
(a) Any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines shall be operated so that a clearance of 10 ft. is maintained. If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 0.4 inch for every 1kV over the voltage. However, under any of the following conditions, the clearance may be reduced:
(i) If the vehicle is in transit with its structure lowered, the clearance may be reduced to 4 ft. If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 0.4 inch for every 1kV over that voltage.
(ii) If insulating barriers are installed to prevent contact with the lines, and if the barriers are rated for the voltage of the line being guarded and are not a part of or an attachment to the vehicle or its raised structure, the clearance may be reduced to a distance within the designed working dimensions of the insulating barrier.
(b) If the equipment is an aerial lift insulated for the voltage involved, and if the work is performed by a qualified person, the clearance (between the uninsulated portion of the aerial lift and the power line) may be reduced to the distance given in (a) through (d) of this subsection.
(c) Employees standing on the ground shall not contact the vehicle or mechanical equipment or any of its attachments, unless:
(i) The employee is using protective equipment rated for the voltage; or
(ii) The equipment is located so that no uninsulated part of its structure (that portion of the structure that provides a conductive path to employees on the ground) can come closer to the line than permitted in this section.
(d) If any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines is of grounding shall not stand at the grounding location whenever there is a possibility of overhead line contact. Additional precautions, such as the use of barricades or insulation, shall be taken to protect employees from hazardous ground potentials, depending on earth resistivity and fault currents, which can develop within the first few feet or more outward from the grounding point.
(21) Illumination.
(a) Employees shall not enter spaces containing exposed energized parts, unless illumination is provided that enables the employees to perform the work safely.
(b) Where lack of illumination or an obstruction precludes observation of the work to be performed, employees shall not perform tasks near exposed energized parts. Employees shall not reach blindly into areas which may contain energized parts.
(22) Confined or enclosed space (such as a manhole or vault) that contains exposed energized parts, the employer shall provide, and the employee shall use, protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials as necessary to avoid inadvertent contact with these parts. Doors, hinged panels, and the like shall be secured to prevent their swinging into an employee and causing the employee to contact exposed energized parts.
(23) Conductive materials and equipment. Conductive materials and equipment that are in contact with any part of an employee's body shall be handled in a manner that will prevent them from contacting exposed energized conductors or circuit parts. If an employee handle long dimensional conductive objects (such as ducts and pipes) practices (such as the use of insulation, guarding, and material handling techniques) which will minimize the hazard.
(24) Portable ladders. Portable ladders shall have nonconductive siderails if they are used where the employee or the ladder could contact exposed energized parts.
(25) Conductive apparel. Conductive articles of jewelry and clothing (such as watch bands, bracelets, rings, key chains, necklaces, metalized aprons, cloth with conductive thread, or metal headgear) shall not be worn if they might contact exposed energized parts.
(26) Housekeeping duties.
(a) Where live parts present an electrical contact hazard, employees shall not perform housekeeping duties at such close distances to the parts that there is a possibility of contact, unless adequate safeguards (such as insulating equipment or barriers) are provided.
(b) Electrically conductive cleaning materials (including conductive solids such as steel wool, metalized cloth, and silicon carbide, as well as conductive liquid solutions) shall not be used in proximity to energized parts unless procedures are followed which will prevent electrical contact.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), § 296-155-428, filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; WSR 92-23-017 (Order 92-13), § 296-155-428, filed 11/10/92, effective 12/18/92; WSR 88-11-021 (Order 88-04), § 296-155-428, filed 5/11/88.]
