Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Hazard
assessments and precautions inside the work zone. Before beginning equipment
operations, the employer shall:
(1) Identify
the work zone by either:
(A) Demarcating
boundaries (such as with flags, or a device such as a range limit device or
range control warning device) and prohibiting the operator from operating the
equipment past those boundaries, or
(B) Defining the work zone as the area 360
degrees around the equipment, up to the equipment's maximum working
radius.
(2) Determine if
any part of the equipment, load line or load (including rigging and lifting
accessories), if operated up to the equipment's maximum working radius in the
work zone, could get closer than 20 feet to a power line. If so, the employer
shall meet the requirements in Option (1), Option (2), or Option (3) of this
section, as follows:
(A) Option (1) --
De-energize and ground. Confirm from the utility owner/operator that the power
line has been de-energized and visibly grounded at the worksite.
(B) Option (2) -- 20 foot clearance. Ensure
that no part of the equipment, load line, or load (including rigging and
lifting accessories), gets closer than 20 feet to the power line by
implementing the measures specified in subsection (b) of this
section.
(C) Option (3) -- Table A
clearance.
1. Determine the line's voltage and
the minimum approach distance permitted under Table A.
2. Determine if any part of the equipment,
load line or load (including rigging and lifting accessories), while operating
up to the equipment's maximum working radius in the work zone, could get closer
than the minimum approach distance of the power line permitted under Table A.
If so, then the employer shall follow the requirements in subsection (b) of
this section to ensure that no part of the equipment, load line, or load
(including rigging and lifting accessories), gets closer to the line than the
minimum approach distance.
(b) Preventing encroachment/electrocution.
Where encroachment precautions are required under Option (2) or Option (3) of
this section, all of the following requirements shall be met:
(1) Conduct a planning meeting with the
operator and the other workers who will be in the area of the equipment or load
to review the location of the power line(s), and the steps that will be
implemented to prevent encroachment/electrocution.
(2) If tag lines are used, they shall be
non-conductive.
(3) Erect and
maintain an elevated warning line, barricade, or line of signs, in view of the
operator, equipped with flags or similar high-visibility markings, at 20 feet
from the power line (if using Option (2) of this section) or at the minimum
approach distance under Table A (if using Option (3) of this section). if the
operator is unable to see the elevated warning line, a dedicated spotter shall
be used as described in subsection (b)(4)(A) in addition to implementing one of
the measures described in subsections (b)(4)(B) and (C).
(4) Implement at least one of the following
measures:
(A) A dedicated spotter who is in
continuous contact with the operator. Where this measure is selected, the
dedicated spotter shall:
1. Be equipped with a
visual aid to assist in identifying the minimum clearance distance. Examples of
a visual aid include, but are not limited to: A clearly visible line painted on
the ground, a clearly visible line of stanchions, a set of clearly visible
line-of-sight landmarks (such as a fence post behind the dedicated spotter and
a building corner ahead of the dedicated spotter).
2. Be positioned to effectively gauge the
clearance distance.
3. Where
necessary, use equipment that enables the dedicated spotter to communicate
directly with the operator.
4. Give
timely information to the operator so that the required clearance distance can
be maintained.
(B) A
device that automatically warns the operator when to stop movement, such as a
range control warning device. Such a device shall be set to give the operator
sufficient warning to prevent encroachment.
(C) A device that automatically limits range
of movement, set to prevent encroachment.
(c) Voltage information. Where Option (3) of
this section is used, the utility owner/operator of the power lines shall
provide the requested voltage information within two working days of the
employer's request.
(d) Operations
below power lines.
(1) No part of the
equipment, load line, or load (including rigging and lifting accessories) is
allowed below a power line unless the employer has confirmed that the utility
owner/operator has de-energized and (at the worksite) visibly grounded the
power line, except where one of the exceptions in subsection (d)(2) of this
section applies.
(2) EXCEPTIONS.
Subsection (d)(1) of this section is inapplicable where the employer
demonstrates that one of the following applies:
(A) For equipment with non-extensible booms:
The uppermost part of the equipment, with the boom at true vertical, would be
more than 20 feet below the plane of the power line or more than the Table A of
this section minimum clearance distance below the plane of the power
line.
(B) For equipment with
articulating or extensible booms: The uppermost part of the equipment, with the
boom in the fully extended position, at true vertical, would be more than 20
feet below the plane of the power line or more than the Table A of this section
minimum clearance distance below the plane of the power line.
(C) The employer demonstrates that compliance
with subsection (d)(1) of this section is infeasible and meets the requirements
of Section 5003.3.
(e) Power lines presumed energized.
The employer shall assume that all power lines are
energized unless the utility owner/operator confirms that the power line has
been and continues to be de-energized and visibly grounded at the
worksite.
(f) When working
where a hazardous electrical charge is induced in the equipment or materials
being handled, the transmitter or other source shall be de-energized or one of
the following precautions shall be taken:
(1)
The equipment shall be electrically grounded and if tag lines are used they
shall be non-conductive;
(2) A
non-conductive insulating link shall be used between the hook and the load;
or
(3) A non-conductive hoisting
rope shall be used.
(g)
Training.
(1) The employer shall train each
operator and crew member assigned to work with the equipment on all of the
following:
(A) The procedures to be followed
in the event of electrical contact with a power line. Such training shall
include:
1. Information regarding the danger
of electrocution from the operator simultaneously touching the equipment and
the ground.
2. The importance to
the operator's safety of remaining inside the cab except where there is an
imminent danger of fire, explosion, or other emergency that necessitates
leaving the cab.
3. The safest
means of evacuating from equipment that may be energized.
4. The danger of the potentially energized
zone around the equipment (step potential) and the methods for emergency
evacuation in an energized condition.
5. The need for crew in the area to avoid
approaching or touching the equipment and the load.
6. Safe clearance distance from power
lines.
(B) Power lines
are presumed to be energized unless the utility owner/operator confirms that
the power line has been and continues to be de-energized and visibly grounded
at the worksite.
(C) Power lines
are presumed to be uninsulated unless the utility owner/operator or a
registered engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power
transmission and distribution confirms that a line is insulated.
(D) The limitations of an insulating
link/device, proximity alarm, and range control (and similar) device, if
used.
(E) The procedures to be
followed to properly ground equipment and the limitations of
grounding.
(2) Employees
working as dedicated spotters shall be trained to enable them to effectively
perform their task, including training on the applicable requirements of this
section.
(3) Training under this
section shall be administered in accordance with Section
3203.
(h) Devices originally designed by the
manufacturer for use as: A safety device (see Section
5017), operational aid, or a means
to prevent power line contact or electrocution, when used to comply with this
section, shall meet the manufacturer's procedures for use and conditions of
use.
TABLE A--MINIMUM CLEARANCE
DISTANCES
| Voltage (nominal, kV, alternating
current) | Minimum clearance distance
(feet) |
| up to 50 | 10 |
| over 50 to 175 | 15 |
| over 175 to 350 | 20 |
| over 350 to 550 | 27 |
| over 550 to 1,000 | 45 |
| over 1,000 | (as established by the utility
owner / operator or registered professional engineer who is a qualified person
with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution). |
NOTE: The value that follows "to" is up to and includes
that value. For example, over 50 to 200 means up to and including
200kV.
1. New
section filed 7-26-2022; operative 7-26-2022 pursuant to Government Code
section
11343.4(b)(3)
(Register 2022, No. 30). Filing deadline specified in Government Code section
11349.3(a)
extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional
60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order
N-71-20.
Note: Authority cited: Section
142.3, Labor
Code. Reference: Section
142.3, Labor
Code.
