California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 5 - Electrical Safety Orders
Group 2 - High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders
Article 38 - Line Clearance Tree Trimming Operations
Section 2951 - Line Clearance (Tree Trimming) Operations

(a) Prior to commencing line clearance tree trimming operations, the employer shall ensure that an inspection of the work locations is made in order to identify potential hazards and a tail gate briefing is conducted to discuss the work procedures to be followed. A determination shall be made of the nominal voltage of electric power lines posing a hazard to employees. However, a determination of the maximum nominal voltage to which an employee will be exposed may be made instead, if all lines are considered as energized at this maximum voltage.

(b) Only qualified line clearance tree trimmers, or trainees under the direct supervision and instruction of qualified line clearance tree trimmers, shall be permitted to perform line clearance tree trimming operations as described in Section 2950. Under no circumstances shall the minimum approach distances specified in Section 2940.2, be violated.

(c) The employee in charge of each independent crew shall coordinate the de-energizing and re-energizing of high-voltage lines with the operator of the high-voltage line(s).

(d) During all tree trimming operations performed in accordance with the requirements of subsection (b) above, there shall be another qualified line clearance tree trimmer or trainee within normal (that is, unassisted) voice communication at each work location to render immediate assistance.

NOTE: A qualified high-voltage electrical worker shall be permitted to be the second employee, provided the employee doing the line clearance tree trimming is a qualified line clearance tree trimmer.

(e) Branches contacting energized conductors or equipment shall be removed only by using nonconductive equipment.

(f) With the exception of emergency restoration procedures, line clearance tree trimming work shall not be performed when adverse weather conditions such as thunderstorms in the immediate vicinity, high winds, snow storms or ice storms, make the work hazardous in spite of the work practices required by this section.

NOTE: A high wind is one which would expose an employee to being blown from an elevated location, or cause an employee or material handling equipment to lose control of the material being handled, or expose the employee to other hazards not controlled by the requirements of this section. Winds exceeding 40 miles per hour, or 30 miles per hour if material handling is involved, meet this criteria unless precautions are taken to protect employees from the hazards described herein.

(g) Ladders, platforms and aerial devices shall not be brought closer to an energized part than the distances listed in Section 2940.2.

(h) Sprayers and Related Equipment.

(i) Rope.