Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 8, § 2944 - Work on or in Proximity to Conductors and Equipment Located in High-Voltage Stations, or Switchyards
(a) This section applies to only that work
performed on or in proximity to exposed high-voltage conductors and equipment
which is not covered by Sections
2941,
2942 and
2943 of these orders, such as
stations, switchyards and other similar installations.
(b) Substation Fences. Conductive fences
around substations shall be grounded. When a substation fence is expanded or a
section is removed, fence sections shall be isolated, grounded, or bonded as
necessary to protect employees from hazardous differences in electric
potential. When a substation fence is extended or moved, provisions shall be
made to comply with Article 17, Section
2812.1 of these orders.
(c) Substation Entry.
(1) Report upon entering. Upon entering an
attended substation, each employee, other than employees regularly working in
the station, shall report his or her presence to the employee in charge of
substation activities to receive information on special system conditions
affecting employee safety.
(d) Identification. All switchboards shall be
provided with readily legible circuit identification. Identification shall be
provided for each circuit breaker, each set of disconnecting switches, and each
set of grounding switches.
(e)
Draw-Out-Type Circuit Breakers. The employer shall ensure that, when employees
remove or insert draw-out type circuit breakers, the breaker is in the open
position. The employer shall also render the control circuit inoperable if the
design of the equipment permits.
(f) Guarding of Energized Parts.
(1) Enclosure and guarding shall be in
accordance with Section
2340.17 of the Low-Voltage
Electrical Safety Orders or Article 17 or Article 35 of the High-Voltage
Electrical Safety Orders.
(g) Work Near Energized Equipment and
Facilities.
(1) No person other than a
qualified electrical worker shall perform work or take any conducting object
within the area where there is a hazard of contact with energized conductors
unless directly under the observation of a qualified person.
(2) When working around energized equipment,
precautions shall be taken to prevent any material or tools from accidentally
contacting energized conductors or equipment.
(3) Temporary Barriers. Suitable temporary
barriers in or adjacent to the work area shall be used to prevent accidental
contact by workers with energized high voltage parts.
(4) Tape Barricades. Suitable barricade tape
shall be used to mark off and bar approach to dangerous areas. An employee
shall not be permitted to cross over or under the tape while it is barricading
an area, except in an emergency or when work in progress requires the employee
to enter the dangerous area. While in the area, the employee shall be
continuously watched by a qualified person for the purpose of preventing an
accident.
(h) Mechanized
Equipment.
(1) Use of vehicles, gin poles,
cranes and other equipment in restricted or hazardous areas shall at all times
be controlled by designated employees.
(2) Mobile cranes or derricks shall not be
permitted closer to exposed energized conductors or equipment than the
distances set forth in Section
2940.2 unless the hoisting
equipment is insulated for the voltage involved.
(i)
(1)
Working on Conductors or Equipment Energized at 7,500 Volts or Less. When
working on conductors or equipment energized at 7,500 volts or less, all
energized conductors or equipment and all grounded conductors or equipment,
including guy wires, within reach of any part of the body, shall be isolated,
barricaded, or covered with suitable protective equipment.
EXCEPTION: That part of the conductor or equipment on which work is to be performed need not be covered.
(2) Employees shall not be permitted to touch
or work on any exposed energized conductor or equipment except when wearing
suitable rubber gloves with protectors, or when using other suitable
devices.
(j) Working on
Conductors or Equipment Energized in Excess of 7,500 Volts. All work on
conductors or equipment energized in excess of 7,500 volts shall be done by
means of suitable devices. Rubber gloves shall not be considered to be suitable
devices.
(k) Working on
De-energized Conductors or Equipment. When working on de-energized conductors
or equipment, all exposed energized conductors or equipment regardless of
voltage within reach of any part of the body, shall be covered with suitable
protective equipment.
(l) Grounding
De-energized Conductors or Equipment.
(m) Access to
Insulators. The employer shall furnish suitable aerial lift equipment, portable
platforms, or other devices to permit employees to work on insulators or
bushings attached to poles, towers, structures, or equipment when such
insulators or bushings are not otherwise safely accessible.
(n) Prior to climbing poles or other elevated
structures supporting overhead electrical lines or equipment, an inspection
shall be made to ensure that such poles or structure are in safe condition for
the work to be performed. Where poles or structures are determined to be unsafe
for climbing, they shall not be climbed until made safe by guying, bracing or
other adequate means.
Notes
2. Editorial correction of section heading and subsection designations filed 11-2-83 (Register 83, No. 45).
3. Amendment filed 12-10-87; operative 1-9-88 (Register 88, No. 1).
4. Amendment filed 2-27-2018; operative 4-1-2018 (Register 2018, No. 9).
Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
2. Editorial correction of section heading and subsection designations filed 11-2-83 (Register 83, No. 45).
3. Amendment filed 12-10-87; operative 1-9-88 (Register 88, No. 1).
4. Amendment filed 2-27-2018; operative
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