Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 52, December 27, 2024
The provisions of this section apply to the guarding of
manholes and street openings, and to the ventilation and testing for gas in
manholes and unvented vaults, where telecommunications field work is performed
on or with underground lines.
(a)
Guarding Manholes and Street Openings.
(1)
When covers of manholes or vaults are removed, the opening shall be promptly
guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or other suitable temporary barrier
which is appropriate to prevent an accidental fall through the opening and to
protect employees working in the manhole from foreign objects entering the
manhole.
(2) While work is being
performed in the manhole, a person with basic first-aid training shall be
immediately available to render assistance if there is cause for believing that
a hazard exists, and if the requirements contained in Section
8604(a) and
Subsection (a)(1) of this Section do not adequately protect the employee(s).
Examples of manhole worksite hazards which shall be considered to constitute a
hazard include, but are not limited to:
(A)
Manhole worksites where hazards are created by traffic patterns that cannot be
corrected by provisions of Section
8604(a) and
Section 8616(a)(1).
(B) Manhole worksites that are subject to
unusual water hazards that cannot be abated by conventional means.
(C) Manhole worksites that are occupied
jointly with power utilities as described in Subsection (c) of this
Section.
(D) Where combustible or
explosive gas vapors have been initially detected at an explosive
level.
(E) Where toxic or otherwise
hazardous substances are used in such quantities that the work operations or
inadvertent spills would create unsafe airborne concentrations or other bodily
injury exposures.
(F) Where open
flame torches are used in the work procedure.
(G) Where hazardous substances:--i.e.
pesticides, herbicides, etc. are encountered.
(H) When employees are required to perform
extended night work in manholes, except where constant voice communication is
maintained with other person(s) who can render ready assistance. This shall not
prohibit performing emergency trouble work without assistance providing the
work can be performed safely.
(b) Requirements Prior to Entering Manholes
and Unvented Vaults.
(1) Before an employee
enters a manhole or unvented vault, the following steps shall be taken:
(A) The employer shall determine that a
confined space condition as defined in General Industry Safety Orders Article
108 is non-existent. If a confined space condition exists, the requirements of
Article 108 shall be followed. Otherwise, the requirements set forth herein
shall be followed.
(B) The internal
atmosphere shall be tested for combustible gas and, except when continuous
forced ventilation is provided, the atmosphere shall also be tested for oxygen
deficiency.
(C) When unsafe
conditions are detected by testing or other means, the work area shall be
ventilated by mechanical means and otherwise made safe before
entry.
(2) An adequate
continuous supply of air shall be provided while work is performed in unvented
vaults and manholes under any of the following conditions:
(A) Where combustible or explosive gas vapors
have been initially detected and subsequently reduced to a safe level by
ventilation,
(B) Where organic
solvents are used in the work procedure,
(C) Where open flame torches are used in the
work procedure,
(D) Where the
manhole or vault is located in that portion of a public right-of-way open to
vehicular traffic and/or exposed to a seepage of gas or gases, or
(E) Where a toxic gas or oxygen deficiency is
found.
EXCEPTION: Work in central office cable vaults that are
adequately ventilated.
(c) Manhole Platform. A manhole platform
shall consist of nominal 2-inch by 12-inch lumber of a grade no less than that
of a "Structural Plank" as defined (see Lumber) in Section
1504"Definition" of the
Construction Safety Orders, or other nonconductive material of equal
strength.
(d) Joint Power and
Telecommunication Manholes. While work is being performed in a manhole occupied
jointly by an electric utility and a telecommunication utility, an employee
with basic first-aid training shall be available in the immediate vicinity to
render emergency assistance as may be required. The employee whose presence is
required in the immediate vicinity for the purposes of rendering emergency
assistance is not to be precluded from occasionally entering a manhole to
provide assistance other than in an emergency.
(e) Ladders. Metal ladders having non-skid
rungs, wooden ladders or portable reinforced plastic ladders shall be used to
enter and exit manholes exceeding 4 feet in depth.
(f) Flames. When open flames are used in
manholes, the following precautions shall be taken to protect against the
accumulation of combustible gas:
(1) A test
for combustible gas shall be made immediately before using the open flame
device, and at least once per hour while using the device; and
(2) A fuel tank (e.g., acetylene) may not be
in the manhole unless in actual use.
1.
Amendment filed 3-30-82; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 82, No.
14).
2. Amendment of subsections (b), (c) and (e) filed 11-3-87;
operative 12-3-87 (Register 87, No. 45).
Note: Authority and reference cited: Section
142.3, Labor
Code.
