Section 408.14005. Working on or near exposed energized parts.

(1) This rule applies to work performed on exposed energized parts that involve either direct contact or contact by means of tools or materials and to work that is performed near enough to energized parts for employees to be exposed to any hazard the parts present.

(2)   Only qualified persons may work on electric circuit parts or equipment that have not been de-energized under the procedures specified in R 408.14004. Such persons shall be trained to work safely on energized circuits and shall be familiar with the proper use of all of the following:

(a)   Special precautionary techniques.

(b)   Personal protective equipment.

(c)   Insulating and shielding materials.

(d)  Insulated tools.

(e)   Testing equipment.

(3)    If work is to be performed near overhead power lines the lines shall be de- energized and grounded or other protective measures shall be provided before work is started. If the lines are to be de-energized arrangements shall be made with the person or organization that operates or controls the electric circuits to de-energize and ground them. If protective measures are provided such as guarding, isolating or insulating these precautions shall prevent an employee from directly contacting such lines with any part of his or her body and from indirect contact through conductive materials tools or equipment. The work practices used by qualified persons who install insulating devices on overhead power transmission or distribution lines are not regulated by these rules. Unqualified persons are prohibited from performing this type of work.

(4)    When an unqualified person is working in an elevated position near overhead lines, the person shall be located so that the person and the longest conductive object he or she may be using cannot come closer to any unguarded, energized overhead line than the following distances:

(a)   For voltages to ground of 50 kilovolts (kV) or less - 10 feet (ft.) (305 centimeters

(cm)).

(b)   For voltages to ground of more than 50 kV - 10 ft. (305 cm), plus 4 inches (in.) (10 cm) for every 10kV over 50kV.

(5)   When an unqualified person is working on the ground in the vicinity of overhead lines, the person shall not bring any conductive object closer to unguarded, energized overhead lines than the distances specified in subrule (4) of this rule. For voltages that are normally encountered with overhead power lines, objects which do not have an insulating rating for the voltage involved are considered to be conductive.

(6)    When a qualified person is working in the vicinity of overhead power lines, whether in an elevated position or on the ground, the person shall not approach, or take any conductive object that does not have an approved insulating handle, closer to exposed energized parts than the distances shown in table 2, unless 1 of the following provisions is complied with:

(a)   The person is insulated from the energized part by utilizing personal protective equipment that is in compliance with General Industry Safety Standard Part 33 “Personal Protective Equipment,” as referenced in R 408.14001a.

(b)    The energized part is insulated from all other conductive objects at a different potential and from the person.

(c)   The person is insulated from all conductive objects at a potential that is different from that of the energized part.

(7)   Table 2 reads as follows: TABLE 2

APPROACH DISTANCE FOR QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES ALTERNATING CURRENT

Voltage Range (Phase to Phase) Distance	Minimum Approach
300 volts (V) and less	Avoid contact
More than 300 V, but not more than 750V	1 ft. 0 in. (30.5 cm)
More than 750V, but not more than 2kV	1 ft. 6 in. (46 cm)
More than 2kV, but not more than 15kV	2 ft. 0 in. (61 cm)
More than 15kV, but not more than 37kV	3 ft. 0 in. (91 cm)
More than 37kV, but not more than 87.5kV	3 ft. 6 in. (107 cm)
More than 87.5kV, but not more than 121kV	4 ft. 0 in. (122 cm)
More than 121kV, but not more than 140 kV	4 ft. 6 in. (137 cm)

(8)    Any vehicle or mechanical equipment that is capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead power lines shall be operated so that a clearance of 10 ft. (305 cm) is maintained. If the voltage is more than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10kV over that voltage. However, under any of the following conditions, the clearance may be reduced:

(a)     If the vehicle is in transit with its structure lowered, the clearance may be reduced to 4 ft. (122 cm). If the voltage is more than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10kV over that voltage.

(b)    If insulating barriers are installed to prevent contact with the lines, and if the

barriers are rated for the voltage of the line being guarded and are not a part of, or an attachment to, the vehicle or its raised structure, the clearance may be reduced to a distance within the designed working dimensions of the insulating barrier.

(c)   If the equipment is an aerial lift that is insulated for the voltage involved, and if the work is performed by a qualified person, the clearance between the uninsulated portion of the aerial lift and the power line may be reduced to the distance specified in table 2.

(9)    An employee who is standing on the ground shall not contact the vehicle or mechanical equipment or any of its attachments, unless either of the following provisions is complied with:

(a)   The employee uses protective equipment that is rated for the voltage.

(b)   The equipment is located so that uninsulated parts of that portion of its structure that provides a conductive path to an employee on the ground cannot come closer to the line than the distances permitted in table 2.

(10)    If any vehicle or mechanical equipment that is capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines is intentionally grounded, employees working on the ground near the point of grounding shall not stand at the grounding location if there is a possibility of overhead line contact. Additional precautions, such as the use of barricades or insulation, shall be taken to protect employees from hazardous ground potentials, depending on earth resistivity and fault currents, which can develop within the first few feet or more outward from the grounding point.

(11)    An employee shall not enter a space that contains exposed energized parts, unless illumination is provided to enable the employee to perform the work safely.

(12)   Where lack of illumination or an obstruction precludes the observation of the work to be performed, an employee shall not perform tasks near exposed energized parts. An employee shall not reach blindly into areas which may contain energized parts.

History: 1992 AACS; 2015 AACS.