Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024
(1) Definitions.
(a) Insulating Barrier or Guard. A structure,
installation, barrier, or guard (such as a wall, fence, pole, shield, or
something similar) that stops movement and prevents all possible contact with
the lines or equipment. Its design, material composition, and installation
prevents possible conduction of electricity up to the maximum voltage of the
system.
(b) Restricted Space.
(A) For lines rated more than 600 V to 50 kV,
restricted space extends 10 feet in all directions from the surface of the line
or equipment.
(B) For lines rated
over 50 kV, restricted space extends 10 feet plus 0.4 inch for each 1 kV over
50 kV, or twice the length of the insulator (but never less than 10 feet) in
all directions from the surface of the line or equipment.
(C) For equipment or structures in transit,
on level surfaces, restricted space extends 4 feet in all directions from lines
or equipment rated 50 kV or less, 10 feet in all directions for lines or
equipment rated over 50 kV, and 16 feet in all directions for lines or
equipment rated over 345 kV up to and including 750 kV.
(c) Proper Notification. The person(s)
responsible for the planned activity must notify the owner/operator of the line
or equipment, at their business office, at least 2 business days prior to the
anticipated beginning of work (business days are Monday through Friday,
excluding federal and state holidays). The notification must include:
(A) The proposed date to start activity
within restricted space;
(B) The
location of the planned activity;
(C) A description of the planned activity;
and
(D) Name and contact
information of the contact person.
(2) General requirement. Do not enter,
perform any function or activity (such as handling, erecting, operating,
transporting, or storing any tools, equipment or materials, moving a building
or structure) within the restricted space surrounding an overhead high voltage
line or equipment unless:
(a) You are the
owner, an authorized employee, or authorized (in writing) agent of the overhead
high voltage system: or
(b) Proper
notification is provided; and
(A) The line
and/or equipment is de-energized and visibly grounded by the owner of the high
voltage system or their authorized agent; or
(B) Accidental contact is effectively
prevented by use of insulating barriers or guards. Barriers or guards must:
(i) Be erected or installed by the owner of
the high voltage system or their authorized agent;
(ii) Not be attached to, or be part of the
lines, equipment, or machinery;
Note: Overhead line covers are only for visual
reference, and their use does not allow entry into restricted space. If used,
they must be installed by the owner of the high voltage system or their
authorized agent.
(iii)
Prevent all possible contact with the lines or equipment; and
(iv) Insulate against the system's maximum
voltage; or
(c) Insulated lines (not tree wire) and
equipment (designed and engineered to allow only incidental contact) are
erected or installed by the owner of the high voltage system or their
authorized agent.
Note: Nothing in this standard shifts the
responsibility for safe and healthy working conditions from the person(s)
responsible for the activity to the owner of the lines or their agent.
Note: Nothing in this standard mandates that the
owner of the lines or equipment, or their authorized agent must agree to
de-energize, move, barricade, guard, or insulate lines or equipment, or take
other action to allow entry into restricted space.
(3) Do not move, reposition, or reduce
restricted space in any direction by applying stress or force to a line,
equipment, or supporting structure.
(4) Operation of machinery or equipment.
(a) Do not enter restricted space when using
insulating links or proximity warning devices on equipment.
(b) Post a warning sign on each piece of
equipment which is capable of vertical, lateral, or swinging motion, such as a
crane, derrick, power shovel, drilling rig, or pile driver.
(A) The sign must be made of durable
material.
(B) It must be in clear
view of the operator.
(C) The
message must be legible to the operator when at the controls.
(D) The message must be understood by the
operator.
(E) The message must
clearly convey that it is "Unlawful to operate the piece of equipment within 10
feet of high voltage lines".
(c) Use an observer to provide audible
warning (able to be clearly heard over surrounding noise) when it becomes
difficult for an operator to identify restricted space by using visual means.
The observer's only task is to watch the clearance and warn the operator if it
appears that restricted space will be breached.
(d) Restrict, barricade, or otherwise make it
impossible for a machine or piece of equipment to reach into restricted space
if it is reasonable to anticipate that the operator's attention may be focused
on the work process rather than the location of an overhead high voltage line
or equipment (such as during excavating, or other fast-paced, repetitive
work).
(5) Railway and
commuter systems
(a) Standard rail equipment
used to transport freight and/or passengers, and relief trains or other
equipment used in emergencies, may enter restricted space surrounding high
voltage lines or equipment.
(b)
Qualified employees, authorized and supervised by a person familiar with the
hazards of the railway high voltage system, may perform normal repair or
construction work within restricted space prior to compliance with the
clearance and safeguard requirements in sections (1) through (4).
Stat. Auth.: ORS
654.025(2)
& 656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS
654.001 -
654.295
