Adding layers of clothing beneath an outer layer of flammable
fabric has no significant effect on the heat energy needed to ignite
the outer fabric layer. Therefore, the outer layer of clothing must
be treated as if it were a single layer to determine the proper
ignition threshold.
    Flammable clothing worn in conjunction with flame-resistant
clothing is not permitted to pose an ignition hazard.\5\ Flammable
clothing may not be worn as an outer layer if it could be exposed to
heat energy above the ignition threshold. Outer flame-resistant
layers may not have openings that expose flammable inner layers that
could be ignited.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Paragraph (l)(11)(iii) of Sec.  1910.269 prohibits clothing
that could ignite and continue to burn when exposed to the heat
energy estimated under paragraph (l)(11)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    When an outer flame-resistant layer would be unable to resist
breakopen,\6\ the next (inner) layer should be flame-resistant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Breakopen is the creation of holes, tears, or cracks in the
exposed fabric such that incident energy is not longer effectively
blocked.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Grounding conductors can become a source of electric arcing if
they cannot carry fault current without failure. These possible
sources of electric arcs \7\ must be considered in determining
whether the employee's clothing could ignite under Sec.
1910.269(l)(11)(iv)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Static wires and pole ground are examples of grounding
conductors that might not be capable of carrying fault current
without failure. Grounds that can carry the maximum available fault
current are not a concern and need not be considered a possible
electric arc souce.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Flammable clothing can also be ignited by arcing that occurs
when a conductor contacts an employee or by nearby material that
ignites upon exposure to an electric arc. These sources of ignition
must be considered in determining whether the employee's clothing
could ignite under Sec.  1910.269(l)(11)(iv)(A) and (l)(11)(iv)(C).
    o. A new Appendix G would be added to Sec.  1910.269 to read as
follows:
    Appendix G to Section 1910.269--Work Positioning Equipment
Inspection Guidelines

I. Body Belts

    Inspect body belts to ensure that:
    A. Hardware has no cracks, nicks, distortion, or corrosion;
    B. No loose or worn rivets are present;
    C. The waist strap has no loose grommets;
    D. The fastening straps are not made of 100 percent leather;
    E. No worn materials that could affect the safety of the user
are present; and
    F. D-rings are compatible with the snaphooks with which they
will be used.

    Note: An incompatibility between a snaphook and a D-ring may
cause snaphook rollout, or unintentional disengagement of the
snaphook from the D-ring. Employers should take extra precaution
when determining compatibility between snaphooks and D-rings of
different manufacturers.

II. Positioning Straps

    Inspect positioning straps to ensure that:
    A. The warning center of the strap material is not exposed;
    B. No cuts, burns, extra holes, or fraying of strap material is
present;
    C. Rivets are properly secured;
    D. Straps are not made from 100 percent leather; and
    E. Snaphooks do not have cracks, burns, or corrosion.

III. Climbers

    Inspect pole and tree climbers to ensure that:
    A. Gaffs on pole climbers are no less than 32 millimeters in
length measured on the underside of the gaff;
    B. Gaffs on tree climbers are no less than 51 millimeters in
length measured on the underside of the gaff;
    C. Gaffs and leg irons are not fractured or cracked;
    D. Stirrups and leg irons are free of excessive wear;
    E. Gaffs are not loose;
    F. Gaffs are free of deformation that could adversely affect
use;
    G. Gaffs are properly sharpened; and
    H. There are no broken straps or buckles.

PART 1926--[Amended]

Subpart E--Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment

    6. The authority citation for Subpart E of Part 1926 would be
revised to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 107, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards
Act (Construction Safety Act) (40 U.S.C. 333); Secs. 4, 6, and 8 of
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655,
657); Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR
25059), 9-83 (48 FR 35736), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), 6-96 (62 FR 111), or
5-2002 (67 F.R. 65008) as applicable; and 29 CFR Part 1911.

    7. Section 1926.97 would be added to read as follows:

Sec.  1926.97  Electrical protective equipment.

    (a) Design requirements. Insulating blankets, matting, covers, line
hose, gloves, and sleeves made of rubber shall meet the following
requirements:
    (1) Manufacture and marking of rubber insulating equipment. (i)
Blankets, gloves, and sleeves shall be produced by a seamless process.
    (ii) Each item shall be clearly marked as follows:
    (A) Class 00 equipment shall be marked Class 00.
    (B) Class 0 equipment shall be marked Class 0.
    (C) Class 1 equipment shall be marked Class 1.
    (D) Class 2 equipment shall be marked Class 2.
    (E) Class 3 equipment shall be marked Class 3.
    (F) Class 4 equipment shall be marked Class 4.

    (G) Nonozone-resistant equipment other than matting shall be marked
Type I.
    (H) Ozone-resistant equipment other than matting shall be marked
Type II.
    (I) Other relevant markings, such as the manufacturer's
identification and the size of the equipment, may also be provided.
    (iii) Markings shall be nonconducting and shall be applied in such
a manner as not to impair the insulating qualities of the equipment.
    (iv) Markings on gloves shall be confined to the cuff portion of
the glove.
    (2) Electrical requirements. (i) Equipment shall be capable of
withstanding the a-c proof-test voltage specified in Table E-1 or the
d-c proof-test voltage specified in Table E-2.
    (A) The proof test shall reliably indicate that the equipment can
withstand the voltage involved.
    (B) The test voltage shall be applied continuously for 3 minutes
for equipment other than matting and shall be applied continuously for
1 minute for matting.
    (C) Gloves shall also be capable of withstanding the a-c proof-test
voltage specified in Table E-1 after a 16-hour water soak. (See the
note following paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(B) of this section.)
    (ii) When the a-c proof test is used on gloves, the 60-hertz proof-
test current may not exceed the values specified in Table E-1 at any
time during the test period.
    (A) If the a-c proof test is made at a frequency other than 60
hertz, the permissible proof-test current shall be computed from the
direct ratio of the frequencies.
    (B) For the test, gloves (right side out) shall be filled with tap
water and immersed in water to a depth that is in accordance with Table
E-3. Water shall be added to or removed from the glove, as necessary,
so that the water level is the same inside and outside the glove.
    (C) After the 16-hour water soak specified in paragraph
(a)(2)(i)(C) of this section, the 60-hertz proof-test current may
exceed the values given in Table E-1 by not more than 2 milliamperes.
    (iii) Equipment that has been subjected to a minimum breakdown
voltage test may not be used for electrical protection. (See the note
following paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(B) of this section.)
    (iv) Material used for Type II insulating equipment shall be
capable of withstanding an ozone test, with no visible effects. The
ozone test shall reliably indicate that the material will resist ozone
exposure in actual use. Any visible signs of ozone deterioration of the
material, such as checking, cracking, breaks, or pitting, is evidence
of failure to meet the requirements for ozone-resistant material. (See
the note following paragraph (a)(3)(ii)(B) of this section.)
    (3) Workmanship and finish. (i) Equipment shall be free of harmful
physical irregularities that can be detected by the tests or
inspections required under this section.
    (ii) Surface irregularities that may be present on all rubber goods
because of imperfections on forms or molds or because of inherent
difficulties in the manufacturing process and that may appear as
indentations, protuberances, or imbedded foreign material are
acceptable under the following conditions:
    (A) The indentation or protuberance blends into a smooth slope when
the material is stretched.
    (B) Foreign material remains in place when the insulating material
is folded and stretches with the insulating material surrounding it.

    Note to paragraph (a) of this section: Rubber insulating
equipment meeting the following national consensus standards is
deemed to be in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section:
    American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 120-02a,
Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves.

    ASTM D 178-01 \e1\, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating
Matting.
    ASTM D 1048-99, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating
Blankets.
    ASTM D 1049-98e1, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating
Covers.
    ASTM D 1050-90, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Line
Hose.
    ASTM D 1051-02, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating
Sleeves.
    These standards contain specifications for conducting the various
tests required in paragraph (a) of this section. For example, the a-c
and d-c proof tests, the breakdown test, the water soak procedure, and
the ozone test mentioned in this paragraph are described in detail in
the ASTM standards.
    ASTM F 1236-96, Standard Guide for Visual Inspection of Electrical
Protective Rubber Products, presents methods and techniques for the
visual inspection of electrical protective equipment made of rubber.
This guide also contains descriptions and photographs of irregularities
that can be found in this equipment.
    ASTM F 819-00 \e1\, Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical
Protective Equipment for Workers, includes definitions of terms
relating to the electrical protective equipment covered under this
section.

    (b) Requirements for other types of electrical protective
equipment. The following requirements apply to the design and
manufacture of electrical protective equipment that is not covered by
paragraph (a) of this section:
    (1) Voltage withstand. Insulating equipment used for the protection
of employees shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, the
voltages that may be imposed upon it.

    Note to paragraph (b)(1) of this section: Such voltages include
transient overvoltages, such as switching surges, as well as nominal
line voltage. See Appendix B to Subpart V of this Part for a
discussion of transient overvoltages on electric power transmission
and distribution systems.

    (2) Equipment current. (i) Protective equipment used for the
primary insulation of employees from energized circuit parts shall be
capable of passing a current test when subjected to the highest nominal
voltage on which the equipment is to be used.
    (ii) When insulating equipment is tested in accordance with
paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, the equipment current may not
exceed 1 microampere per kilovolt of phase-to-phase applied voltage.

    Note 1 to paragraph (b)(2) of this section: This paragraph
applies to equipment that provides primary insulation of employees
from energized parts. It is not intended to apply to equipment used
for secondary insulation or equipment used for brush contact only.

    Note 2 to paragraph (b)(2) of this section: For a-c excitation,
this current consists of three components:
    1. Capacitive current because of the dielectric properties of
the insulating material itself,
    2. Conduction current through the volume of the insulating
equipment, and
    3. Leakage current along the surface of the tool or equipment.
    The conduction current is normally negligible. For clean, dry
insulating equipment, the leakage current is small, and the
capacitive current predominates.

    (c) In-service care and use of rubber insulating equipment. (1)
General. Electrical protective equipment shall be maintained in a safe,
reliable condition.
    (2) Specific requirements. The following specific requirements
apply to insulating blankets, covers, line hose, gloves, and sleeves
made of rubber:
    (i) Maximum use voltages shall conform to those listed in Table E-
4.
    (ii) Insulating equipment shall be inspected for damage before each
day's

use and immediately following any incident that can reasonably be
suspected of having caused damage. Insulating gloves shall be given an
air test, along with the inspection.

    Note to paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section: ASTM F 1236-96,
Standard Guide for Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber
Products, presents methods and techniques for the visual inspection
of electrical protective equipment made of rubber. This guide also
contains descriptions and photographs of irregularities that can be
found in this equipment.

    (iii) Insulating equipment with any of the following defects may
not be used:
    (A) A hole, tear, puncture, or cut;
    (B) Ozone cutting or ozone checking (the cutting action produced by
ozone on rubber under mechanical stress into a series of interlacing
cracks);
    (C) An embedded foreign object;
    (D) Any of the following texture changes: swelling, softening,
hardening, or becoming sticky or inelastic.
    (E) Any other defect that damages the insulating properties.
    (iv) Insulating equipment found to have other defects that might
affect its insulating properties shall be removed from service and
returned for testing under paragraphs (c)(2)(viii) and (c)(2)(ix) of
this section.
    (v) Insulating equipment shall be cleaned as needed to remove
foreign substances.
    (vi) Insulating equipment shall be stored in such a location and in
such a manner as to protect it from light, temperature extremes,
excessive humidity, ozone, and other injurious substances and
conditions.
    (vii) Protector gloves shall be worn over insulating gloves, except
as follows:
    (A) Protector gloves need not be used with Class 0 or Class 00
gloves, under limited-use conditions, where small equipment and parts
manipulation necessitate unusually high finger dexterity.

    Note to paragraph (c)(2)(vii)(A) of this section: Extra care is
needed in the visual examination of the glove and in the avoidance
of handling sharp objects.

    (B) Any other class of glove may be used for similar work without
protector gloves if the employer can demonstrate that the possibility
of physical damage to the gloves is small and if the class of glove is
one class higher than that required for the voltage involved.
    (C) Insulating gloves that have been used without protector gloves
may not be reused until they have been tested under the provisions of
paragraphs (c)(2)(viii) and (c)(2)(ix) of this section. (viii)
Electrical protective equipment shall be subjected to periodic
electrical tests. Test voltages and the maximum intervals between tests
shall be in accordance with Table E-4 and Table E-5.
    (ix) The test method used under paragraphs (c)(2)(viii) and
(c)(2)(xi) of this section shall reliably indicate whether the
insulating equipment can withstand the voltages involved.

    Note to paragraph (c)(2)(ix) of this section: Standard
electrical test methods considered as meeting this requirement are
given in the following national consensus standards:
    American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 120-02a,
Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Gloves.
    ASTM D 1048-99, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating
Blankets.
    ASTM D 1049-98\e1\, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating
Covers.
    ASTM D 1050-90, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating
Line Hose.
    ASTM D 1051-02, Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating
Sleeves.
    ASTM F 478-92, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of
Insulating Line Hose and Covers.
    ASTM F 479-95, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of
Insulating Blankets.
    ASTM F 496-02a, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of
Insulating Gloves and Sleeves.

    (x) Insulating equipment failing to pass inspections or electrical
tests may not be used by employees, except as follows:
    (A) Rubber insulating line hose may be used in shorter lengths with
the defective portion cut off.
    (B) Rubber insulating blankets may be salvaged by severing the
defective area from the undamaged portion of the blanket. The resulting
undamaged area may not be smaller than 560 mm by 560 mm (22 inches by
22 inches) for Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 blankets.
    (C) Rubber insulating blankets may be repaired using a compatible
patch that results in physical and electrical properties equal to those
of the blanket.
    (D) Rubber insulating gloves and sleeves with minor physical
defects, such as small cuts, tears, or punctures, may be repaired by
the application of a compatible patch. Also, rubber insulating gloves
and sleeves with minor surface blemishes may be repaired with a
compatible liquid compound. The repaired area shall have electrical and
physical properties equal to those of the surrounding material. Repairs
to gloves are permitted only in the area between the wrist and the
reinforced edge of the opening.
    (xi) Repaired insulating equipment shall be retested before it may
be used by employees.
    (xii) The employer shall certify that equipment has been tested in
accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (c)(2)(iv),
(c)(2)(vii)(C), (c)(2)(viii), (c)(2)(ix), and (c)(2)(xi) of this
section. The certification shall identify the equipment that passed the
test and the date it was tested.

    Note to paragraph (c)(2)(xii) of this section: Marking of
equipment and entering onto logs the results of the tests and the
dates of testing are two acceptable means of meeting this
requirement.

                                     Table E-1.--A-C Proof-Test Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Maximum proof-test current, mA (gloves only)
                                                  Proof-test ---------------------------------------------------
               Class of equipment                  voltage       267-mm
                                                    rms V      (10.5-in)   356-mm (14-  406-mm (16-  457-mm (18-
                                                                 glove      in) glove    in) glove    in) glove
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00.............................................        2,500            8           12  ...........  ...........
0..............................................        5,000            8           12           14           16
1..............................................       10,000  ...........           14           16           18
2..............................................       20,000  ...........           16           18           20
3..............................................       30,000  ...........           18           20           22
4..............................................       40,000  ...........  ...........           22           24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Table E-2.--D-C Proof-Test Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Proof-test
                     Class of equipment                        voltage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
00.........................................................       10,000
0..........................................................       20,000
1..........................................................       40,000
2..........................................................       50,000
3..........................................................       60,000
4..........................................................      70,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The d-c voltages listed in this table are not appropriate for
  proof testing rubber insulating line hose or covers. For this
  equipment, d-c proof tests shall use a voltage high enough to indicate
  that the equipment can be safely used at the voltages listed in Table
  E-4. See ASTM D 1050-90 and ASTM D 1049-98e1 for further information
  on proof tests for rubber insulating line hose and covers,
  respectively.

                                    Table E-3.--Glove Tests--Water Level 1 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   A-C proof test            D-C proof test
                       Class of glove                        ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                   mm           in           mm           in
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00..........................................................           38          1.5           38          1.5
0...........................................................           38          1.5           38          1.5
1...........................................................           38          1.5           51          2.0
2...........................................................           64          2.5           76          3.0
3...........................................................           89          3.5          102          4.0
4...........................................................          127          5.0          153         6.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The water level is given as the clearance from the cuff of the glove to the water line, with a tolerance of
  13 mm. (0.5 in.).
\2\ If atmospheric conditions make the specified clearances impractical, the clearances may be increased by a
  maximum of 25 mm. (1 in.).

                          Table E-4.--Rubber Insulating Equipment Voltage Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Maximum use
                      Class of equipment                       voltage \1\ A-C   Retest voltage   Retest voltage
                                                                     rms          \2\ A-C rms      \2\ D-C avg
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00...........................................................              500            2,500           10,000
0............................................................            1,000            5,000           20,000
1............................................................            7,500           10,000           40,000
2............................................................           17,000           20,000           50,000
3............................................................           26,000           30,000           60,000
4............................................................           36,000           40,000          70,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The maximum use voltage is the a-c voltage (rms) classification of the protective equipment that designates
  the maximum nominal design voltage of the energized system that may be safely worked. The nominal design
  voltage is equal to the phase-to-phase voltage on multiphase circuits. However, the phase-to-ground potential
  is considered to be the nominal design voltage:
(1) If there is no multiphase exposure in a system area and if the voltage exposure is limited to the phase-to-
  ground potential, or
(2) If the electrical equipment and devices are insulated or isolated or both so that the multiphase exposure on
  a grounded wye circuit is removed.
\2\ The proof-test voltage shall be applied continuously for at least 1 minute, but no more than 3 minutes.

         Table E-5.--Rubber Insulating Equipment Test Intervals
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Type of equipment                       When to test
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rubber insulating line hose............  Upon indication that insulating
                                          value is suspect and after
                                          repair.
Rubber insulating covers...............  Upon indication that insulating
                                          value is suspect and after
                                          repair.
Rubber insulating blankets.............  Before first issue and every 12
                                          months thereafter; \1\ upon
                                          indication that insulating
                                          value is suspect; and after
                                          repair.
Rubber insulating gloves...............  Before first issue and every 6
                                          months thereafter; \1\ upon
                                          indication that insulating
                                          value is suspect; after
                                          repair; and after use without
                                          protectors.
Rubber insulating sleeves..............  Before first issue and every 12
                                          months thereafter; \1\ upon
                                          indication that insulating
                                          value is suspect; and after
                                          repair.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ If the insulating equipment has been electrically tested but not
  issued for service, it may not be placed into service unless it has
  been electrically tested within the previous 12 months.

    8. The authority citation for Subpart V of Part 1926 would be
revised to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 107, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards
Act (Construction Safety Act) (40 U.S.C. 333); Secs. 4, 6, and 8 of
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655,
657); Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR
25059), 9-83 (48 FR 35736), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), 6-96 (62 FR 111), or
5-2002 (67 F.R. 65008) as applicable; and 29 CFR Part 1911.

    9. Subpart V of Part 1926 would be revised to read as follows:

Subpart V--Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Sec.
1926.950 General.
1926.951 Medical services and first aid.
1926.952 Job briefing.
1926.953 Enclosed spaces.
1926.954 Personal protective equipment.
1926.955 Ladders and platforms.
1926.956 Hand and portable power tools.
1926.957 Live-line tools.
1926.958 Materials handling and storage.
1926.959 Mechanical equipment.
1926.960 Working on or near exposed energized parts.
1926.961 Deenergizing lines and equipment for employee protection.
1926.962 Grounding for the protection of employees.
1926.963 Testing and test facilities.
1926.964 Overhead lines.
1926.965 Underground electrical installations.
1926.966 Substations.
1926.967 Special conditions.
1926.968 Definitions applicable to this subpart.

Subpart V--Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Sec.  1926.950  General.

    (a) Application. (1) Scope. This subpart, except for paragraph
(a)(3) of this section, covers the construction of electric power
transmission and distribution lines and equipment. As used in this
subpart the term ``construction'' includes the erection of new electric
transmission and distribution lines and equipment, and the alteration,
conversion, and improvement of existing electric transmission and
distribution lines and equipment.
    (2) Other Part 1926 standards. This subpart applies in addition to
all other applicable standards contained in this Part 1926. Employers
covered under this subpart are not exempt from complying with other
applicable provisions in Part 1926 by the operation of Sec.  1910.5(c)
of this chapter. Specific references in this subpart to other sections
of Part 1926 are provided for emphasis only.
    (3) Applicable Part 1910 requirements. Line-clearance tree-trimming
operations and work involving electric power generation installations
shall comply with Sec.  1910.269 of this chapter.
    (b) Training. (1) All employees. (i) Employees shall be trained in
and familiar with the safety-related work practices, safety procedures,
and other safety requirements in this subpart that pertain to their
respective job assignments.
    (ii) Employees shall also be trained in and familiar with any other
safety practices, including applicable emergency procedures (such as
pole top and manhole rescue), that are not specifically addressed by
this subpart but that are related to their work and are necessary for
their safety.
    (iii) The degree of training shall be determined by the risk to the
employee for the task involved.
    (2) Qualified employees. Each qualified employee shall also be
trained and competent in:
    (i) The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live
parts from other parts of electric equipment,
    (ii) The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal
voltage of exposed live parts,
    (iii) The minimum approach distances specified in this subpart
corresponding to the voltages to which the qualified employee will be
exposed,
    (iv) The proper use of the special precautionary techniques,
personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials, and
insulated tools for working on or near exposed energized parts of
electric equipment, and
    (v) The recognition of electrical hazards to which the employee may
be exposed and the skills and techniques necessary to control or avoid
those hazards.

    Note to paragraph (b)(2) of this section: For the purposes of
this subpart, a person must have the training required by paragraph
(b)(2) of this section in order to be considered a qualified person.

    (3) Supervision and annual inspection. The employer shall
determine, through regular supervision and through inspections
conducted on at least an annual basis, that each employee is complying
with the safety-related work practices required by this subpart.
    (4) Additional training. An employee shall receive additional
training (or retraining) under any of the following conditions:
    (i) If the supervision or annual inspections required by paragraph
(b)(3) of this section indicate that the employee is not complying with
the safety-related work practices required by this subpart, or
    (ii) If new technology, new types of equipment, or changes in
procedures necessitate the use of safety-related work practices that
are different from those which the employee would normally use, or
    (iii) If he or she must employ safety-related work practices that
are not normally used during his or her regular job duties.

    Note to paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of this section: OSHA would
consider tasks that are performed less often than once per year to
necessitate retraining before the performance of the work practices
involved.

    (5) Type of training. The training required by paragraph (b) of
this section shall be of the classroom or on-the-job type.
    (6) Training goals. The training shall establish employee
proficiency in the work practices required by this subpart and shall
introduce the procedures necessary for compliance with this subpart.
    (7) Demonstration of proficiency. The employer shall determine that
each employee has demonstrated proficiency in the work practices
involved before that employee is considered as having completed the
training required by paragraph (b) of this section.

    Note 1 to paragraph (b)(7) of this section: Though they are not
required by this paragraph, employment records that indicate that an
employee has successfully completed the required training are one
way of keeping track of when an employee has demonstrated
proficiency.

    Note 2 to paragraph (b)(7) of this section: Employers may rely
on an employee's previous training as long as the employer: (1)
Confirms that the employee has the job experience appropriate to the
work to be performed, (2) through an examination or interview, makes
an initial determination that the employee is proficient in the
relevant safety-related work practices before he or she performs any
work covered by this subpart, and (3) supervises the employee
closely until that employee has demonstrated proficiency in all the
work practices he or she will employ.

    (c) Contractors. (1) Host employer responsibilities. (i) The host
employer shall inform contract employers of:
    (A) Known hazards that are covered by this section, that are
related to the contract employer's work, and that might not be
recognized by the contract employer or its employees; and
    (B) Information about the employer's installation that the contract
employer needs to make the assessments required by this subpart.
    (ii) The host employer shall report observed contract-employer-
related violations of this section to the contract employer.
    (2) Contract employer responsibilities. (i) The contract employer
shall ensure that each of his or her employees is instructed in the
hazards communicated to the contract employer by the host employer.

    Note to paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section: This instruction is
in addition to the training required by paragraph (b) of this
section.

    (ii) The contract employer shall ensure that each of his or her
employees follows the work practices required by this subpart and
safety-related work rules required by the host employer.
    (iii) The contract employer shall advise the host employer of:
    (A) Any unique hazards presented by the contract employer's work,
    (B) Any unanticipated hazards found during the contract employer's
work that the host employer did not mention, and
    (C) The measures the contractor took to correct any violations
reported by the host employer under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this
section and to prevent such violations from recurring in the future.
    (d) Existing conditions. Existing conditions related to the safety
of the work to be performed shall be determined before work on or near
electric lines or equipment is started. Such conditions include, but
are not limited to, the nominal voltages of lines and equipment, the
maximum switching transient voltages, the presence of hazardous induced
voltages, the presence and condition of protective grounds and
equipment grounding conductors, the condition of poles, environmental
conditions relative to safety, and the locations of circuits and
equipment, including power and communication lines and fire protective
signaling circuits.

Sec.  1926.951  Medical services and first aid.

    (a) General. The employer shall provide medical services and first
aid as required in Sec.  1926.50.
    (b) Additional requirements. In addition to the requirements of
Sec.  1926.50, the following requirements also apply:
    (1) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid training. When
employees are performing work on or associated with exposed lines or
equipment energized at 50 volts or more, persons trained in first aid
including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) shall be available as
follows:
    (i) For field work involving two or more employees at a work
location, at least two trained persons shall be available. However,
only one trained person need be available if all new employees are
trained in first aid, including CPR, within 3 months of their hiring
dates.
    (ii) For fixed work locations such as substations, the number of
trained persons available shall be sufficient to ensure that each
employee exposed to electric shock can be reached within 4 minutes by a
trained person. However, where the existing number of employees is
insufficient to meet this requirement (at a remote substation, for
example), all employees at the work location shall be trained.
    (2) First aid supplies. First aid supplies required by Sec.
1926.50(d) shall be placed in weatherproof containers if the supplies
could be exposed to the weather.
    (3) First aid kits. Each first aid kit shall be maintained, shall
be readily available for use, and shall be inspected frequently enough
to ensure that expended items are replaced, but at least once per year.

Sec.  1926.952  Job briefing.

    (a) Before each job. (1) Initial briefing by the employer. In
assigning an employee or a group of employees to perform a job, the
employer shall provide the employee in charge of the job with available
information necessary to perform the job safely.

    Note to paragraph (a)(1) of this section: The information
provided by the employer to the employee in charge is intended to
supplement the training required under Sec.  1926.950(b). It may be
provided at the beginning of the day for all jobs to be performed
that day rather than at the start of each job. The information is
also intended to be general in nature, with work-site specific
information to be provided by the employee in charge after the crew
arrives at the work site.

    (2) Briefing by the employee in charge. The employer shall ensure
that the employee in charge conducts a job briefing meeting paragraphs
(b), (c), and (d) of this section with the employees involved before
they start each job.
    (b) Subjects to be covered. The briefing shall cover at least the
following subjects: hazards associated with the job, work procedures
involved, special precautions, energy source controls, and personal
protective equipment requirements.
    (c) Number of briefings. (1) One before each shift. If the work or
operations to be performed during the work day or shift are repetitive
and similar, at least one job briefing shall be conducted before the
start of the first job of each day or shift.
    (2) Additional briefings. Additional job briefings shall be held if
significant changes, which might affect the safety of the employees,
occur during the course of the work.
    (d) Extent of briefing. (1) Short discussion. A brief discussion is
satisfactory if the work involved is routine and if the employees, by
virtue of training and experience, can reasonably be expected to
recognize and avoid the hazards involved in the job.
    (2) Detailed discussion. A more extensive discussion shall be
conducted:
    (i) If the work is complicated or particularly hazardous, or
    (ii) If the employee cannot be expected to recognize and avoid the
hazards involved in the job.

    Note to paragraph (d) of this section: The briefing must always
touch on all the subjects listed in paragraph (b) of this section.

    (e) Working alone. An employee working alone need not conduct a job
briefing. However, the employer shall ensure that the tasks to be
performed are planned as if a briefing were required.

Sec.  1926.953  Enclosed spaces.

    (a) General. This paragraph covers enclosed spaces that may be
entered by employees. It does not apply to vented vaults if a
determination is made that the ventilation system is operating to
protect employees before they enter the space. This paragraph applies
to routine entry into enclosed spaces. If, after the precautions given
in this section and in Sec.  1926.965 are taken, the hazards remaining
in the enclosed space endanger the life of an entrant or could
interfere with escape from the space, then entry into the enclosed
space shall meet the permit-space entry requirements of paragraphs (d)
through (k) of Sec.  1910.146 of this chapter.

    Note to paragraph (a) of this section: Entries into enclosed
spaces conducted in accordance with the permit-space entry
requirements of paragraphs (d) through (k) of Sec.  1910.146 of this
chapter are considered as complying with this section.

    (b) Safe work practices. The employer shall ensure the use of safe
work practices for entry into and work in enclosed spaces and for
rescue of employees from such spaces.
    (c) Training. Employees who enter enclosed spaces or who serve as
attendants shall be trained in the hazards of enclosed space entry, in
enclosed space entry procedures, and in enclosed space rescue
procedures.
    (d) Rescue equipment. Employers shall provide equipment to ensure
the prompt and safe rescue of employees from the enclosed space.
    (e) Evaluation of potential hazards. Before any entrance cover to
an enclosed space is removed, the employer shall determine whether it
is safe to do so by checking for the presence of any atmospheric
pressure or temperature differences and by evaluating whether there
might be a hazardous atmosphere in the space. Any conditions making it
unsafe to remove the cover shall be eliminated before the cover is
removed.

    Note to paragraph (e) of this section: The evaluation called for
in this paragraph may take the form of a check of the conditions
expected to be in the enclosed space. For example, the cover could
be checked to see if it is hot and, if it is fastened in place,
could be loosened gradually to release any residual pressure. A
determination must also be made of whether conditions at the site
could cause a hazardous atmosphere, such as an oxygen deficient or
flammable atmosphere, to develop within the space.

    (f) Removal of covers. When covers are removed from enclosed
spaces, the opening shall be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary
cover, or other barrier intended to prevent an accidental fall through
the opening and to protect employees working in the space from objects
entering the space.
    (g) Hazardous atmosphere. Employees may not enter any enclosed
space while it contains a hazardous atmosphere, unless the entry
conforms to the generic permit-required confined spaces standard in
Sec.  1910.146 of this chapter.
    (h) Attendants. While work is being performed in the enclosed
space, a person with first aid training meeting Sec.  1926.951(b)(1)
shall be immediately available outside the enclosed space to provide
assistance if a hazard exists because of traffic patterns in the area
of the opening used for entry. That person is not precluded from
performing other duties outside the enclosed space if these duties do
not distract the attendant from monitoring employees within the space.

    Note to paragraph (h) of this section: See Sec.  1926.965 for
additional requirements on attendants for work in manholes and
vaults.

    (i) Calibration of test instruments. Test instruments used to
monitor atmospheres in enclosed spaces shall be kept in calibration and
shall have a minimum accuracy of 10 percent.
    (j) Testing for oxygen deficiency. Before an employee enters an
enclosed space, the internal atmosphere shall be tested for oxygen
deficiency with a direct-reading meter or similar instrument, capable
of collection and immediate analysis of data samples without the need
for off-site evaluation. If continuous forced air ventilation is
provided, testing is not required provided that the procedures used
ensure that employees are not exposed to the hazards posed by oxygen
deficiency.
    (k) Testing for flammable gases and vapors. Before an employee
enters an enclosed space, the internal atmosphere shall be tested for
flammable gases and vapors with a direct-reading meter or similar
instrument capable of collection and immediate analysis of data samples
without the need for off-site evaluation. This test shall be performed
after the oxygen testing and ventilation required by paragraph (j) of
this section demonstrate that there is sufficient oxygen to ensure the
accuracy of the test for flammability.
    (l) Ventilation and monitoring. If flammable gases or vapors are
detected or if an oxygen deficiency is found, forced air ventilation
shall be used to maintain oxygen at a safe level and to prevent a
hazardous concentration of flammable gases and vapors from
accumulating. A continuous monitoring program to ensure that no
increase in flammable gas or vapor concentration occurs may be followed
in lieu of ventilation, if flammable gases or vapors are detected at
safe levels.

    Note to paragraph (l) of this section: See the definition of
``hazardous atmosphere'' for guidance in determining whether or not
a given concentration of a substance is considered to be hazardous.

    (m) Specific ventilation requirements. If continuous forced air
ventilation is used, it shall begin before entry is made and shall be
maintained long enough for the employer to be able to demonstrate that
a safe atmosphere exists before employees are allowed to enter the work
area. The forced air ventilation shall be so directed as to ventilate
the immediate area where employees are present within the enclosed
space and shall continue until all employees leave the enclosed space.
    (n) Air supply. The air supply for the continuous forced air
ventilation shall be from a clean source and may not increase the
hazards in the enclosed space.
    (o) Open flames. If open flames are used in enclosed spaces, a test
for flammable gases and vapors shall be made immediately before the
open flame device is used and at least once per hour while the device
is used in the space. Testing shall be conducted more frequently if
conditions present in the enclosed space indicate that once per hour is
insufficient to detect hazardous accumulations of flammable gases or
vapors.

    Note to paragraph (o) of this section: See the definition of
``hazardous atmosphere'' for guidance in determining whether or not
a given concentration of a substance is considered to be hazardous.

Sec.  1926.954  Personal protective equipment.

    (a) General. Personal protective equipment shall meet the
requirements of Subpart E of this Part.
    (b) Fall protection. (1) Personal fall arrest systems. Personal
fall arrest systems shall meet the requirements of Subpart M of this
part.

    Note to paragraph (b)(1) of this section: This paragraph applies
to all personal fall arrest systems used in work covered by this
Subpart.

    (2) Work positioning equipment. Body belts and positioning straps
for work positioning shall meet the following requirements:
    (i) Hardware for body belts and positioning straps shall meet the
following requirements:
    (A) Hardware shall be made of drop-forged, pressed, or formed steel
or equivalent material.
    (B) Hardware shall have a corrosion-resistant finish.
    (C) Hardware surfaces shall be smooth and free of sharp edges.
    (ii) Buckles shall be capable of withstanding an 8.9-kN (2,000-lbf)
tension test with a maximum permanent deformation no greater than 0.4
mm (0.0156 in.).
    (iii) D rings shall be capable of withstanding a 22-kN (5,000-lbf)
tensile test without cracking or breaking.
    (iv) Snaphooks shall be capable of withstanding a 22-kN (5,000-lbf)
tension test without failure.

    Note to paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section: Tensile failure of
a snaphook is indicated by distortion of the snaphook sufficient to
release the keeper.

    (v) Top grain leather or leather substitute may be used in the
manufacture of body belts and positioning straps; however, leather and
leather substitutes may not be used alone as a load bearing component
of the assembly.
    (vi) Plied fabric used in positioning straps and in load bearing
parts of body belts shall be so constructed in such a way that no raw
edges are exposed and that the plies do not separate.
    (vii) Positioning straps shall be capable of withstanding the
following tests:
    (A) A dielectric test of 819.7 volts, AC, per centimeter (25000
volts per foot) for 3 minutes without visible deterioration;
    (B) A leakage test of 98.4 volts, AC, per centimeter (3000 volts
per foot) with a leakage current of no more than 1 mA;

    Note to paragraphs (b)(2)(vii)(A) and (b)(2)(vii)(B) of this
section: Positioning straps that pass direct current tests at
equivalent voltages are considered as meeting this requirement.

    (C) Tension tests of 20 kN (4500 lbf) for sections free of buckle
holes and of 15 kN (3500 lbf) for sections with buckle holes;
    (D) A buckle tear test with a load of 4.4 kN (1000 lbf); and

    (E) A flammability test in accordance with Table V-1.

                      Table V-1.--Flammability Test
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Test method                 Criteria for passing the test
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vertically suspend a 500-mm (19.7-inch)  Any flames on the positioning
 length of strapping holding up a 100-    strap shall self extinguish.
 kg (200.5-lb) weight.
Use a butane or propane burner with a    The positioning strap shall
 76-mm (3-inch) flame.                    continue to support the 100-kg
                                          (220.5-lb) mass.
Direct the flame to an edge of the
 strapping at a distance of 25 mm (1
 inch).
Remove the flame after 5 seconds.......
Wait until any flames on the
 positioning strap go out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (viii) The cushion part of the body belt shall contain no exposed
rivets on the inside and shall be at least 76 mm (3 in.) in width.
    (ix) Tool loops shall be so situated on the body of a body belt
that 100 mm (4 in.) of the body belt in the center of the back,
measuring from D ring to D ring, is free of tool loops and any other
attachments.
    (x) Copper, steel, or equivalent liners shall be used around the
bars of D rings to prevent wear between these members and the leather
or fabric enclosing them.
    (xi) Snaphooks shall be of the locking type meeting the following
requirements:
    (A) The locking mechanism shall first be released or a destructive
force shall be placed on the keeper before the keeper will open.
    (B) A force in the range of 6.6 N (1.5 lbf) to 17.6 N (4 lbf) shall
be required to release the locking mechanism.
    (C) With the locking mechanism released and with a force applied on
the keeper against the face of the nose, the keeper may not begin to
open with a force of 11.0 N (2.5 lbf) or less and shall begin to open
with a maximum force of 17.6 N (4 lbf).
    (xii) Body belts and positioning straps shall be capable of
withstanding a drop test as follows:
    (A) The test mass shall be rigidly constructed of steel or
equivalent material with a mass of 100 kg (220.5 lbm).
    (B) For body belts, the body belt shall be fitted snugly around the
test mass and shall be attached to the test structure anchorage point
by means of a wire rope.
    (C) For positioning straps, the strap shall be adjusted to its
shortest length to permit the test and connected to the test structure
anchorage point at one end and to the test mass on the other.
    (D) The test mass shall be dropped an unobstructed distance of 1 m
(39.4 in.) from a supporting structure that will sustain minimal
deflection during the test.
    (E) Body belts shall successfully arrest the fall of the test mass
and shall be capable of supporting the mass after the test.
    (F) Positioning straps shall successfully arrest the fall of the
test mass without breaking and the arrest force may not exceed 17.8 kN
(4000 lbf). Additionally, snaphooks on positioning straps may not have
distorted sufficiently to allow the keeper to be released.

    Note 1 to paragraph (b)(2) of this section: This paragraph
applies to all work positioning equipment used in work covered by
this Subpart.

    Note 2 to paragraph (b)(2) of this section: Body belts and
positioning straps that conform to American Society of Testing and
Materials Standard Specifications for Personal Climbing Equipment,
ASTM F 887-04, are deemed to be in compliance with the manufacturing
and construction requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this section
provided that the body belt or positioning strap also conforms to
paragraphs (b)(2)(iv) and (b)(2)(xi) of this section.

    Note 3 to paragraph (b)(2) of this section: Body belts and
positioning straps that conform to Sec.  1926.502(e) on positioning
device systems are deemed to be in compliance with the manufacturing
and construction requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this section
provided that the positioning strap also conforms to paragraph
(b)(2)(vii) of this section.

    (3) Care and use of personal fall protection equipment. (i) Work
positioning equipment shall be inspected before use each day to
determine that the equipment is in safe working condition. Defective
equipment may not be used.

    Note to paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section: Appendix G to this
subpart contains guidelines for the inspection of work positioning
equipment.

    (ii) Personal fall arrest systems shall be used in accordance with
Sec.  1926.502(d). However, the attachment point need not be located as
required by Sec.  1926.502(d)(17) if the body harness is being used as
work positioning equipment and if the maximum free fall distance is
limited to 0.6 m (2 ft).
    (iii) A personal fall arrest system or work positioning equipment
shall be used by employees working at elevated locations more than 1.2
m (4 ft) above the ground on poles, towers, or similar structures if
other fall protection has not been provided. Fall protection equipment
is not required to be used by a qualified employee climbing or changing
location on poles, towers, or similar structures, unless conditions,
such as, but not limited to, ice, high winds, the design of the
structure (for example, no provision for holding on with hands), or the
presence of contaminants on the structure, could cause the employee to
lose his or her grip or footing.

    Note 1 to paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section: This paragraph
applies to structures that support overhead electric power
transmission and distribution lines and equipment. It does not apply
to portions of buildings, such as loading docks, to electric
equipment, such as transformers and capacitors, nor to aerial lifts.
The duty to provide fall protection associated with walking and
working surfaces is contained in Subpart M of this Part; the duty to
provide fall protection associated with aerial lifts is contained in
Sec.  1926.453.

    Note 2 to paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section: Employees who
have not completed training in climbing and the use of fall
protection are not considered ``qualified employees'' for the
purposes of this provision. Unqualified employees (including
trainees) are required to use fall protection any time they are more
than 1.2 m (4 ft) above the ground.

    (iv) Work positioning systems shall be rigged so that an employee
can free fall no more than 0.6 m (2 ft) unless no anchorage is
available.
    (v) Anchorages for work positioning equipment shall be capable of
supporting at least twice the potential impact load of an employee's
fall or 13.3 kN (3,000 lbf), whichever is greater.

    (vi) Unless the snaphook is a locking type and designed
specifically for the following connections, snaphooks on work
positioning equipment may not be engaged:
    (A) Directly to webbing, rope, or wire rope;
    (B) To each other;
    (C) To a D ring to which another snaphook or other connector is
attached;
    (D) To a horizontal lifeline; or
    (E) To any object which is incompatibly shaped or dimensioned in
relation to the snaphook such that unintentional disengagement could
occur by the connected object being able to depress the snaphook keeper
and release itself.

Sec.  1926.955  Ladders and platforms.

    (a) General. Requirements for portable ladders contained in Subpart
X of this Part apply, except as specifically noted in paragraph (b) of
this section. Fixed ladders shall meet Part 1910, Subpart D of this
chapter.
    (b) Special ladders and platforms. Portable ladders and platforms
used on structures or conductors in conjunction with overhead line work
need not meet paragraphs (b)(5)(i) and (b)(12) of Sec.  1926.1053.
However, these ladders and platforms shall meet the following
requirements:
    (1) Design load. In the configurations in which they are used,
ladders and platforms shall be capable of supporting without failure at
least 2.5 times the maximum intended load.
    (2) Maximum load. Ladders and platforms may not be loaded in excess
of the working loads for which they are designed.
    (3) Secured in place. Ladders and platforms shall be secured to
prevent their becoming accidentally dislodged.
    (4) Intended use. Ladders and platforms may be used only in
applications for which they are designed.
    (c) Conductive ladders. Portable metal ladders and other portable
conductive ladders may not be used near exposed energized lines or
equipment. However, in specialized high-voltage work, conductive
ladders shall be used where the employer can demonstrate that
nonconductive ladders would present a greater hazard than conductive
ladders.

Sec.  1926.956  Hand and portable power tools.

    (a) General. Paragraph (b) of this section applies to electric
equipment connected by cord and plug. Paragraph (c) of this section
applies to portable and vehicle-mounted generators used to supply cord-
and plug-connected equipment. Paragraph (d) of this section applies to
hydraulic and pneumatic tools.
    (b) Cord- and plug-connected equipment. (1) Supplied by premises
wiring. Cord- and plug-connected equipment supplied by premises wiring
is covered by Subpart K of this Part.
    (2) Supplied by other than premises wiring. Any cord- and plug-
connected equipment supplied by other than premises wiring shall comply
with one of the following in lieu of Sec.  1926.302(a)(1):
    (i) It shall be equipped with a cord containing an equipment
grounding conductor connected to the tool frame and to a means for
grounding the other end (however, this option may not be used where the
introduction of the ground into the work environment increases the
hazard to an employee); or
    (ii) It shall be of the double-insulated type conforming to Subpart
K of this Part; or
    (iii) It shall be connected to the power supply through an
isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary.
    (c) Portable and vehicle-mounted generators. Portable and vehicle-
mounted generators used to supply cord- and plug-connected equipment
shall meet the following requirements:
    (1) Equipment to be supplied. The generator may only supply
equipment located on the generator or the vehicle and cord- and plug-
connected equipment through receptacles mounted on the generator or the
vehicle.
    (2) Equipment grounding. The noncurrent-carrying metal parts of
equipment and the equipment grounding conductor terminals of the
receptacles shall be bonded to the generator frame.
    (3) Bonding the frame. In the case of vehicle-mounted generators,
the frame of the generator shall be bonded to the vehicle frame.
    (4) Bonding the neutral conductor. Any neutral conductor shall be
bonded to the generator frame.
    (d) Hydraulic and pneumatic tools. (1) Hydraulic fluid in
insulating tools. Paragraph (d)(1) of Sec.  1926.302 does not apply to
hydraulic fluid used in insulating sections of hydraulic tools.
    (2) Operating pressure. Safe operating pressures for hydraulic and
pneumatic tools, hoses, valves, pipes, filters, and fittings may not be
exceeded.

    Note to paragraph (d)(2) of this section: If any hazardous
defects are present, no operating pressure would be safe, and the
hydraulic or pneumatic equipment involved may not be used. In the
absence of defects, the maximum rated operating pressure is the
maximum safe pressure.

    (3) Work near energized parts. A hydraulic or pneumatic tool used
where it may contact exposed energized parts shall be designed and
maintained for such use.
    (4) Protection against vacuum formation. The hydraulic system
supplying a hydraulic tool used where it may contact exposed live parts
shall provide protection against loss of insulating value for the
voltage involved due to the formation of a partial vacuum in the
hydraulic line.

    Note to paragraph (d)(4) of this section: Hydraulic lines
without check valves having a separation of more than 10.7 m (35 ft)
between the oil reservoir and the upper end of the hydraulic system
promote the formation of a partial vacuum.

    (5) Protection against the accumulation of moisture. A pneumatic
tool used on energized electric lines or equipment or used where it may
contact exposed live parts shall provide protection against the
accumulation of moisture in the air supply.
    (6) Breaking connections. Pressure shall be released before
connections are broken, unless quick acting, self-closing connectors
are used.
    (7) Leaks. Employees may not use any part of their bodies to locate
or attempt to stop a hydraulic leak.
    (8) Hoses. Hoses may not be kinked.

Sec.  1926.957  Live-line tools.

    (a) Design of tools. Live-line tool rods, tubes, and poles shall be
designed and constructed to withstand the following minimum tests:
    (1) Fiberglass-reinforced plastic. If the tool is made of
fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), it shall withstand 328100 volts
per meter (100,000 volts per foot) of length for 5 minutes, or

    Note to paragraph (a)(1) of this section: Live-line tools using
rod and tube that meet ASTM F 711-02, Standard Specification for
Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Rod and Tube Used in Live Line
Tools, conform to paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

    (2) Wood. If the tool is made of wood, it shall withstand 246100
volts per meter (75,000 volts per foot) of length for 3 minutes, or
    (3) Equivalent tests. The tool shall withstand other tests that the
employer can demonstrate are equivalent.
    (b) Condition of tools. (1) Daily inspection. Each live-line tool
shall be wiped clean and visually inspected for defects before use each
day.
    (2) Defects. If any defect or contamination that could adversely
affect the insulating qualities or mechanical integrity of the live-
line tool is present after wiping, the tool shall be removed from
service and examined and tested according to paragraph (b)(3) of this
section before being returned to service.

    (3) Biennial inspection and testing. Live-line tools used for
primary employee protection shall be removed from service every 2 years
and whenever required under paragraph (b)(2) of this section for
examination, cleaning, repair, and testing as follows:
    (i) Each tool shall be thoroughly examined for defects.
    (ii) If a defect or contamination that could adversely affect the
insulating qualities or mechanical integrity of the live-line tool is
found, the tool shall be repaired and refinished or shall be
permanently removed from service. If no such defect or contamination is
found, the tool shall be cleaned and waxed.
    (iii) The tool shall be tested in accordance with paragraphs
(b)(3)(iv) and (b)(3)(v) of this section under the following
conditions:
    (A) After the tool has been repaired or refinished; and
    (B) After the examination if repair or refinishing is not
performed, unless the tool is made of FRP rod or foam-filled FRP tube
and the employer can demonstrate that the tool has no defects that
could cause it to fail in use.
    (iv) The test method used shall be designed to verify the tool's
integrity along its entire working length and, if the tool is made of
fiberglass-reinforced plastic, its integrity under wet conditions.
    (v) The voltage applied during the tests shall be as follows:
    (A) 246,100 volts per meter (75,000 volts per foot) of length for 1
minute if the tool is made of fiberglass, or
    (B) 164,000 volts per meter (50,000 volts per foot) of length for 1
minute if the tool is made of wood, or
    (C) Other tests that the employer can demonstrate are equivalent.

    Note to paragraph (b) of this section: Guidelines for the
examination, cleaning, repairing, and in-service testing of live-
line tools are contained in the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers' IEEE Guide for Maintenance Methods on
Energized Power Lines, IEEE Std. 516-2003.

Sec.  1926.958  Materials handling and storage.

    (a) General. Materials handling and storage shall conform to the
requirements of Subpart N of this Part.
    (b) Materials storage near energized lines or equipment. (1)
Unrestricted areas. In areas not restricted to qualified persons only,
materials or equipment may not be stored closer to energized lines or
exposed energized parts of equipment than the following distances plus
an amount providing for the maximum sag and side swing of all
conductors and providing for the height and movement of material
handling equipment:
    (i) For lines and equipment energized at 50 kV or less, the
distance is 3.05 m (10 ft).
    (ii) For lines and equipment energized at more than 50 kV, the
distance is 3.05 m (10 ft) plus 0.10 m (4 in.) for every 10 kV over 50
kV.
    (2) Restricted areas. In areas restricted to qualified employees,
material may not be stored within the working space about energized
lines or equipment.

    Note to paragraph (b)(2) of this section: Requirements for the
size of the working space are contained in Sec.  1926.966(b).

Sec.  1926.959  Mechanical equipment.

    (a) General requirements. (1) Other applicable requirements.
Mechanical equipment shall be operated in accordance with Subparts N
and O of this Part, except that Sec. Sec.  1926.550(a)(15) and
1926.600(a)(6) do not apply to operations performed by qualified
employees.
    (2) Inspection before use. The critical safety components of
mechanical elevating and rotating equipment shall receive a thorough
visual inspection before use on each shift.

    Note to paragraph (a)(2) of this section: Critical safety
components of mechanical elevating and rotating equipment are
components whose failure would result in a free fall or free
rotation of the boom.

    (3) Operator. The operator of an electric line truck may not leave
his or her position at the controls while a load is suspended, unless
the employer can demonstrate that no employee (including the operator)
might be endangered.
    (b) Outriggers. (1) Extend outriggers. Vehicular equipment, if
provided with outriggers, shall be operated with the outriggers
extended and firmly set as necessary for the stability of the specific
configuration of the equipment. Outriggers may not be extended or
retracted outside of clear view of the operator unless all employees
are outside the range of possible equipment motion.
    (2) Operation without outriggers. If the work area or the terrain
precludes the use of outriggers, the equipment may be operated only
within its maximum load ratings for the particular configuration of the
equipment without outriggers.
    (c) Applied loads. Mechanical equipment used to lift or move lines
or other material shall be used within its maximum load rating and
other design limitations for the conditions under which the work is
being performed.
    (d) Operations near energized lines or equipment. (1) Minimum
approach distance. Mechanical equipment shall be operated so that the
minimum approach distances of Table V-2 through Table V-6 are
maintained from exposed energized lines and equipment. However, the
insulated portion of an aerial lift operated by a qualified employee in
the lift is exempt from this requirement if the applicable minimum
approach distance is maintained between the uninsulated portions of the
aerial lift and exposed objects at a different potential.
    (2) Observer. A designated employee other than the equipment
operator shall observe the approach distance to exposed lines and
equipment and give timely warnings before the minimum approach distance
required by paragraph (d)(1) of this section is reached, unless the
employer can demonstrate that the operator can accurately determine
that the minimum approach distance is being maintained.
    (3) Extra precautions. If, during operation of the mechanical
equipment, the equipment could become energized, the operation shall
also comply with at least one of paragraphs (d)(3)(i) through
(d)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (i) The energized lines exposed to contact shall be covered with
insulating protective material that will withstand the type of contact
that might be made during the operation.
    (ii) The equipment shall be insulated for the voltage involved. The
equipment shall be positioned so that its uninsulated portions cannot
approach the lines or equipment any closer than the minimum approach
distances specified in Table V-2 through Table V-6 in Sec.  1926.960.
    (iii) Each employee shall be protected from hazards that might
arise from equipment contact with the energized lines. The measures
used shall ensure that employees will not be exposed to hazardous
differences in potential. Unless the employer can demonstrate that the
methods in use protect each employee from the hazards that might arise
if the equipment contacts the energized line, the measures used shall
include all of the following techniques:
    (A) Using the best available ground to minimize the time the lines
remain energized,
    (B) Bonding equipment together to minimize potential differences,
    (C) Providing ground mats to extend areas of equipotential, and
    (D) Employing insulating protective equipment or barricades to
guard against any remaining hazardous potential differences.

    Note to paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of this section: Appendix C to
this Subpart contains information on hazardous step and touch
potentials and on methods of protecting employees from hazards
resulting from such potentials.

Sec.  1926.960  Working on or near exposed energized parts.

    (a) Application. This section applies to work on exposed live
parts, or near enough to them, to expose the employee to any hazard
they present.
    (b) General. (1) Qualified employees only. (i) Only qualified
employees may work on or with exposed energized lines or parts of
equipment.
    (ii) Only qualified employees may work in areas containing
unguarded, uninsulated energized lines or parts of equipment operating
at 50 volts or more.
    (2) Treat as energized. Electric lines and equipment shall be
considered and treated as energized unless they have been deenergized
in accordance with Sec.  1926.961.
    (3) At least two employees. (i) Except as provided in paragraph
(b)(3)(ii) of this section, at least two employees shall be present
while the following types of work are being performed:
    (A) Installation, removal, or repair of lines that are energized at
more than 600 volts,
    (B) Installation, removal, or repair of deenergized lines if an
employee is exposed to contact with other parts energized at more than
600 volts,
    (C) Installation, removal, or repair of equipment, such as
transformers, capacitors, and regulators, if an employee is exposed to
contact with parts energized at more than 600 volts,
    (D) Work involving the use of mechanical equipment, other than
insulated aerial lifts, near parts energized at more than 600 volts,
and
    (E) Other work that exposes an employee to electrical hazards
greater than or equal to those posed by operations that are
specifically listed in paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(A) through (b)(3)(i)(D) of
this section.
    (ii) Paragraph (b)(3) of this section does not apply to the
following operations:
    (A) Routine switching of circuits, if the employer can demonstrate
that conditions at the site allow this work to be performed safely,
    (B) Work performed with live-line tools if the employee is
positioned so that he or she is neither within reach of nor otherwise
exposed to contact with energized parts, and
    (C) Emergency repairs to the extent necessary to safeguard the
general public.
    (c) Live work. (1) Minimum approach distances. The employer shall
ensure that no employee approaches or takes any conductive object
closer to exposed energized parts than set forth in Table V-2 through
Table V-6, unless:
    (i) The employee is insulated from the energized part (insulating
gloves or insulating gloves and sleeves worn in accordance with
paragraph (c)(2) of this section are considered insulation of the
employee from the energized part upon which the employee is working
provided that the employee has control of the part in a manner
sufficient to prevent exposure to uninsulated portions of the body), or
    (ii) The energized part is insulated from the employee and from any
other conductive object at a different potential, or
    (iii) The employee is insulated from any other exposed conductive
object, as during live-line bare-hand work.

    Note to paragraph (c)(1) of this section: Paragraph (f)(1) of
Sec.  1926.966 contains requirements for the guarding and isolation
of live parts. Parts of electric circuits that meet these two
provisions are not considered as ``exposed'' unless a guard is
removed or an employee enters the space intended to provide
isolation from the live parts.

    (2) Type of insulation. (i) If the employee is to be insulated from
energized parts by the use of insulating gloves (under paragraph
(c)(1)(i) of this section), insulating sleeves shall also be used.
However, insulating sleeves need not be used under the following
conditions:
    (A) If exposed energized parts on which work is not being performed
are insulated from the employee and
    (B) If such insulation is placed from a position not exposing the
employee's upper arm to contact with other energized parts.
    (ii) If the employee is to be insulated from energized parts by the
use of insulating gloves or insulating gloves with sleeves,
    (A) The insulating gloves and sleeves shall be put on in a position
where the employee cannot reach into the minimum approach distance
given in paragraph (c)(1) of this section; and
    (B) The insulating gloves and sleeves may not be removed until the
employee is in a position where he or she cannot reach into the minimum
approach distance given in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (d) Working position. (1) Working from below. The employer shall
ensure that each employee, to the extent that other safety-related
conditions at the worksite permit, works in a position from which a
slip or shock will not bring the employee's body into contact with
exposed, uninsulated parts energized at a potential different from the
employee.
    (2) Working without electrical protective equipment. If work is
performed near exposed parts energized at more than 600 volts but not
more than 72.5 kilovolts and if the employee is not insulated from the
energized parts or performing live-line bare-hand work, the employee
shall work from a position where the employee cannot reach into the
minimum approach distance given in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (e) Making connections. The employer shall ensure that connections
are made as follows:
    (1) Connecting. In connecting deenergized equipment or lines to an
energized circuit by means of a conducting wire or device, an employee
shall first attach the wire to the deenergized part;
    (2) Disconnecting. When disconnecting equipment or lines from an
energized circuit by means of a conducting wire or device, an employee
shall remove the source end first; and
    (3) Loose conductors. When lines or equipment are connected to or
disconnected from energized circuits, loose conductors shall be kept
away from exposed energized parts.
    (f) Conductive articles. When work is performed within reaching
distance of exposed energized parts of equipment, the employer shall
ensure that each employee removes or renders nonconductive all exposed
conductive articles, such as key or watch chains, rings, or wrist
watches or bands, unless such articles do not increase the hazards
associated with contact with the energized parts.
    (g) Clothing. (1) Hazard assessment. The employer shall assess the
workplace to determine if each employee is exposed to hazards from
flames or from electric arcs.
    (2) Estimate of available heat energy. For each employee exposed to
hazards from electric arcs, the employer shall make a reasonable
estimate of the maximum available heat energy to which the employee
would be exposed.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2) of this section: Appendix F to this
Subpart provides guidance on the estimation of available heat
energy.

    Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2) of this section: This paragraph does
not require the employer to estimate the heat energy exposure for
every job task performed by each employee. The employer may make
broad estimates that cover multiple system areas provided the
employer uses reasonable assumptions about the energy exposure
distribution throughout the system and provided the estimates
represent the maximum exposure for those areas. For example, the
employer could

estimate the heat energy just outside a substation feeding a radial
distribution system and use that estimate for all jobs performed on
that radial system.

    (3) Prohibited clothing. The employer shall ensure that each
employee who is exposed to hazards from electric arcs does not wear
clothing that could melt onto his or her skin or that could ignite and
continue to burn when exposed to the heat energy estimated under
paragraph (g)(2) of this section.

    Note to paragraph (g)(3) of this section: Clothing made from the
following types of fabrics, either alone or in blends, is prohibited
by this paragraph, unless the employer can demonstrate that the
fabric has been treated to withstand the conditions that may be
encountered or that the clothing is worn in such a manner as to
eliminate the hazard involved: acetate, nylon, polyester, rayon.

    (4) Flame-resistant clothing. The employer shall ensure that an
employee wears clothing that is flame resistant under any of the
following conditions:
    (i) The employee is subject to contact with energized circuit parts
operating at more than 600 volts,
    (ii) The employee's clothing could be ignited by flammable material
in the work area that could be ignited by an electric arc, or
    (iii) The employee's clothing could be ignited by molten metal or
electric arcs from faulted conductors in the work area.

    Note to paragraph (g)(4)(iii) of this section: This paragraph
does not apply to conductors that are capable of carrying, without
failure, the maximum available fault current for the time the
circuit protective devices take to interrupt the fault.

    (5) Clothing rating. The employer shall ensure that each employee
who is exposed to hazards from electric arcs wears clothing with an arc
rating greater than or equal to the heat energy estimated under
paragraph (g)(2) of this section.

    Note to paragraph (g) of this section: See Appendix F to this
subpart for further information on the selection of appropriate
clothing.

    (h) Fuse handling. When fuses must be installed or removed with one
or both terminals energized at more than 300 volts or with exposed
parts energized at more than 50 volts, the employer shall ensure that
tools or gloves rated for the voltage are used. When expulsion-type
fuses are installed with one or both terminals energized at more than
300 volts, the employer shall ensure that each employee wears eye
protection meeting the requirements of Subpart E of this Part, uses a
tool rated for the voltage, and is clear of the exhaust path of the
fuse barrel.
    (i) Covered (noninsulated) conductors. The requirements of this
section which pertain to the hazards of exposed live parts also apply
when work is performed in the proximity of covered (noninsulated)
wires.
    (j) Noncurrent-carrying metal parts. Noncurrent-carrying metal
parts of equipment or devices, such as transformer cases and circuit
breaker housings, shall be treated as energized at the highest voltage
to which they are exposed, unless the employer inspects the
installation and determines that these parts are grounded before work
is performed.
    (k) Opening circuits under load. Devices used to open circuits
under load conditions shall be designed to interrupt the current
involved.

                            Table V-2.--A-C Live-Line Work Minimum Approach Distance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Distance
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------
       Nominal voltage in kilovolts phase to phase         Phase-to-ground exposure    Phase-to-phase exposure
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                m          ft-in          m            ft-in
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.051 to 0.300 \1\.......................................        Avoid contact
                                                                 Avoid contact
0.301 to 0.750 \1\.......................................         0.31          1-0         0.31          1-0
0.751 to 15.0............................................         0.65          2-2         0.67          2-3
15.1 to 36.0.............................................         0.77          2-7         0.86         2-10
36.1 to 46.0.............................................         0.84          2-9         0.96          3-2
46.1 to 72.5.............................................         1.00          3-3         1.20         3-11
72.6 to 121..............................................         0.95          3-2         1.29          4-3
138 to 145...............................................         1.09          3-7         1.50         4-11
161 to 169...............................................         1.22          4-0         1.71          5-8
230 to 242...............................................         1.59          5-3         2.27          7-6
345 to 362...............................................         2.59          8-6         3.80         12-6
500 to 550...............................................         3.42         11-3         5.50         18-1
765 to 800...............................................         4.53        14-11         7.91        26-0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For single-phase systems, use the voltage to ground.
Note 1: These distances take into consideration the highest switching surge an employee will be exposed to on
  any system with air as the insulating medium and the maximum voltages shown.
Note 2: The clear live-line tool distance shall equal or exceed the values for the indicated voltage ranges.
Note 3: See Appendix B to this subpart for information on how the minimum approach distances listed in the
  tables were derived.

    Table V-3.--A-C Live-Line Work Minimum Approach Distance With Overvoltage Factor Phase-to-Ground Exposure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Distance in meters
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------
      Maximum anticipated per-unit transient                Maximum phase-to-phase voltage in  kilovolts
                   overvoltage                    --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     121      145      169      242      362      552      800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     1.82     2.95
1.6..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     1.97     3.23
1.7..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     2.13     3.54
1.8..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     2.29     3.86
1.9..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     2.47     4.19

2.0..............................................     0.74     0.83     0.92     1.16     1.59     2.65     4.53
2.1..............................................     0.76     0.85     0.95     1.21     1.65     2.83  .......
2.2..............................................     0.78     0.88     0.98     1.25     1.74     3.01  .......
2.3..............................................     0.80     0.91     1.01     1.29     1.84     3.20  .......
2.4..............................................     0.82     0.93     1.04     1.33     1.94     3.42  .......
2.5..............................................     0.84     0.96     1.07     1.38     2.04  .......  .......
2.6..............................................     0.86     0.98     1.10     1.42     2.14  .......  .......
2.7..............................................     0.88     1.01     1.13     1.45     2.25  .......  .......
2.8..............................................     0.91     1.03     1.16     1.50     2.36  .......  .......
2.9..............................................     0.93     1.06     1.19     1.54     2.47  .......  .......
3.0..............................................     0.95     1.09     1.22     1.59     2.59  .......  .......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: The distances specified in this table may be applied only where the maximum anticipated per-unit
  transient overvoltage has been determined by engineering analysis and has been supplied by the employer. Table
  V-2 applies otherwise.
Note 2: The distances specified in this table are the air, bare-hand, and live-line tool distances.
Note 3: See Appendix B to this subpart for information on how the minimum approach distances listed in the
  tables were derived and on how to calculate revised minimum approach distances based on the control of
  transient overvoltages.

    Table V-3.--A-C Live-Line Work Minimum Approach Distance With Overvoltage Factor Phase-to-Ground Exposure
                                                   (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Distance in feet-inches
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------
      Maximum anticipated per-unit transient                Maximum phase-to-phase voltage in  kilovolts
                   overvoltage                    --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     121      145      169      242      362      552      800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      6-0      9-8
1.6..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      6-6     10-8
1.7..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      7-0     11-8
1.8..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      7-7     12-8
1.9..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      8-1     13-9
2.0..............................................      2-5      2-9      3-0     3-10      5-3      8-9   114-11
2.1..............................................      2-6     2-10      3-2      4-0      5-5      9-4  .......
2.2..............................................      2-7     2-11      3-3      4-1      5-9     9-11  .......
2.3..............................................      2-8      3-0      3-4      4-3      6-1     10-6  .......
2.4..............................................      2-9      3-1      3-5      4-5      6-4     11-3  .......
2.5..............................................      2-9      3-2      3-6      4-6      6-8  .......  .......
2.6..............................................     2-10      3-3      3-8      4-8      7-1  .......  .......
2.7..............................................     2-11      3-4      3-9     4-10      7-5  .......  .......
2.8..............................................      3-0      3-5     3-10     4-11      7-9  .......  .......
2.9..............................................      3-1      3-6     3-11      5-1      8-2  .......  .......
3.0..............................................      3-2      3-7      4-0      5-3      8-6  .......  .......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: The distances specified in this table may be applied only where the maximum anticipated per-unit
  transient overvoltage has been determined by engineering analysis and has been supplied by the employer. Table
  V-2 applies otherwise.
Note 2: The distances specified in this table are the air, bare-hand, and live-line tool distances.
Note 3: See Appendix B to this Subpart for information on how the minimum approach distances listed in the
  tables were derived and on how to calculate revised minimum approach distances based on the control of
  transient overvoltages.

     Table V-4.--A-C Live-Line Work Minimum Approach Distance With Overvoltage Factor Phase-to-Phase Exposure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Distance in meters
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------
      Maximum anticipated per-unit transient                Maximum phase-to-phase voltage in  kilovolts
                   overvoltage                    --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     121      145      169      242      362      552      800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     2.24     3.67
1.6..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     2.65     4.42
1.7..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     3.08     5.23
1.8..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     3.53     6.07
1.9..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     4.01     6.97
2.0..............................................     1.08     1.24     1.41     1.85     2.61     4.52     7.91
2.1..............................................     1.10     1.27     1.44     1.89     2.68     4.75  .......

2.2..............................................     1.12     1.29     1.47     1.93     2.78     4.98  .......
2.3..............................................     1.14     1.32     1.50     1.97     2.90     5.21  .......
2.4..............................................     1.16     1.35     1.53     2.01     3.02     5.50  .......
2.5..............................................     1.18     1.37     1.56     2.06     3.14  .......  .......
2.6..............................................     1.21     1.40     1.59     2.10     3.27  .......  .......
2.7..............................................     1.23     1.43     1.62     2.13     3.40  .......  .......
2.8..............................................     1.25     1.45     1.65     2.19     3.53  .......  .......
2.9..............................................     1.27     1.48     1.68     2.22     3.67  .......  .......
3.0..............................................     1.29     1.50     1.71     2.27     3.80  .......  .......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: The distances specified in this table may be applied only where the maximum anticipated per-unit
  transient overvoltage has been determined by engineering analysis and has been supplied by the employer. Table
  V-2 applies otherwise.
Note 2: The distances specified in this table are the air, bare-hand, and live-line tool distances.
Note 3: See Appendix B to this Subpart for information on how the minimum approach distances listed in the
  tables were derived and on how to calculate revised minimum approach distances based on the control of
  transient overvoltages.

     Table V-4.--A-C Live-Line Work Minimum Approach Distance With Overvoltage Factor Phase-to-Phase Exposure
                                                   (continued)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Distance in Meters
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------
      Maximum anticipated per-unit transient                Maximum phase-to-phase voltage in  kilovolts
                   overvoltage                    --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     121      145      169      242      362      552      800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      7-4     12-1
1.6..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......      8-9     14-6
1.7..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     10-2     17-2
1.8..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     11-7    19-11
1.9..............................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......     13-2    22-11
2.0..............................................      3-7      4-1      4-8      6-1      8-7    14-10     26-0
2.1..............................................      3-7      4-1      4-9      6-3     8-10     15-7  .......
2.2..............................................      3-8      4-3     4-10      6-4      9-2     16-4  .......
2.3..............................................      3-9      4-4     4-11      6-6      9-6     17-2  .......
2.4..............................................     3-10      4-5      5-0      6-7     9-11     18-1  .......
2.5..............................................     3-11      4-6      5-2      6-9     10-4  .......  .......
2.6..............................................      4-0      4-7      5-3     6-11     10-9  .......  .......
2.7..............................................      4-1      4-8      5-4      7-0     11-2  .......  .......
2.8..............................................      4-1      4-9      5-5      7-2     11-7  .......  .......
2.9..............................................      4-2     4-10      5-6      7-4     12-1  .......  .......
3.0..............................................      4-3     4-11      5-8      7-6     12-6  .......  .......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: The distances specified in this table may be applied only where the maximum anticipated per-unit
  transient overvoltage has been determined by engineering analysis and has been supplied by the employer. Table
  V-2 applies otherwise.
Note 2: The distances specified in this table are the air, bare-hand, and live-line tool distances.
Note 3: See Appendix B to this Subpart for information on how the minimum approach distances listed in the
  tables were derived and on how to calculate revised minimum approach distances based on the control of
  transient overvoltages.

                                       Table V-5.--D-C Live-Line Minimum Approach Distance With Overvoltage Factor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Maximum anticipated per-unit                                               Distance in meters (feet-inches)
                transient overvoltage                                             Maximum line-to-ground voltage in kilovolts
                                                     -----------
                                                              250
                                                              400
                                                              500
                                                              600
                                                              750
-----------------------------------------------------
1.5 or lower........................................      1.12     (3-8)      1.60     (5-3)      2.06     (6-9)      2.62     (8-7)      3.61   (11-10)
1.6.................................................      1.17    (3-10)      1.69     (5-7)      2.24     (7-4)      2.86     (9-5)      3.98    (13-1)
1.7.................................................      1.23     (4-1)      1.82     (6-0)      2.42    (7-11)      3.12    (10-3)      4.37    (14-4)
1.8.................................................      1.28     (4-3)      1.95     (6-5)      2.62     (8-7)      3.39    (11-2)      4.79   (15-9)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: The distance specified in this table may be applied only where the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage has been determined by
  engineering analysis and has been supplied by the employer. However, if the transient overvoltage factor is not known, a factor of 1.8 shall be
  assumed.
Note 2: The distances specified in this table are the air, bare-hand, and live-line tool distances.

                 Table V-6.--Altitude Correction Factor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Altitude
------------------------------------------------------------  Correction
                m                             ft                factor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
900..............................  3000....................         1.00
1200.............................  4000....................         1.02
1500.............................  5000....................         1.05
1800.............................  6000....................         1.08
2100.............................  7000....................         1.11
2400.............................  8000....................         1.14
2700.............................  9000....................         1.17
3000.............................  10000...................         1.20
3600.............................  12000...................         1.25
4200.............................  14000...................         1.30
4800.............................  16000...................         1.35
5400.............................  18000...................         1.39
6000.............................  20000...................        1.44
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: If the work is performed at elevations greater than 900 m (3000
  ft) above mean sea level, the minimum approach distance shall be
  determined by multiplying the distances in Table V-2 through Table V-5
  by the correction factor corresponding to the altitude at which work
  is performed.

Sec.  1926.961  Deenergizing lines and equipment for employee
protection.

    (a) Application. This section applies to the deenergizing of
transmission and distribution lines and equipment for the purpose of
protecting employees. Conductors and parts of electric equipment that
have been deenergized under procedures other than those required by
this section shall be treated as energized.
    (b) General. (1) System operator. If a system operator is in charge
of the lines or equipment and their means of disconnection, all of the
requirements of paragraph (c) of this section shall be observed, in the
order given.
    (2) No system operator. If no system operator is in charge of the
lines or equipment and their means of disconnection, one employee in
the crew shall be designated as being in charge of the clearance. All
of the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section apply, in the
order given, except as provided in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section.
The employee in charge of the clearance shall take the place of the
system operator, as necessary.
    (3) Number of crews working. (i) If only one crew will be working
on the lines or equipment and if the means of disconnection is
accessible and visible to and under the sole control of the employee in
charge of the clearance, paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(3), (c)(4), and (c)(11)
of this section do not apply. Additionally, tags required by the
remaining provisions of paragraph (c) of this section need not be used.
    (ii) If two or more independent crews will be working on the same
lines or equipment, each crew shall independently comply with the
requirements in paragraph (c) of this section. The independent crews
shall coordinate deenergizing and reenergizing the lines or equipment
if there is no system operator in charge of the lines or equipment.
    (4) Disconnecting means accessible to general public. Any
disconnecting means that are accessible to persons outside the
employer's control (for example, the general public) shall be rendered
inoperable while they are open for the purpose of protecting employees.
    (c) Deenergizing lines and equipment. (1) Request to deenergize. A
designated employee shall make a request of the system operator to have
the particular section of line or equipment deenergized. The designated
employee becomes the employee in charge (as this term is used in
paragraph (c) of this section) and is responsible for the clearance.
    (2) Open disconnecting means. All switches, disconnectors, jumpers,
taps, and other means through which known sources of electric energy
may be supplied to the particular lines and equipment to be deenergized
shall be opened. Such means shall be rendered inoperable, unless its
design does not so permit, and tagged to indicate that employees are at
work.
    (3) Automatically and remotely controlled switches. Automatically
and remotely controlled switches that could cause the opened
disconnecting means to close shall also be tagged at the point of
control. The automatic or remote control feature shall be rendered
inoperable, unless its design does not so permit.
    (4) Tags. Tags shall prohibit operation of the disconnecting means
and shall indicate that employees are at work.
    (5) Test for energized condition. After the applicable requirements
in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this section have been followed
and the employee in charge of the work has been given a clearance by
the system operator, the lines and equipment to be worked shall be
tested to ensure that they are deenergized.
    (6) Install grounds. Protective grounds shall be installed as
required by Sec.  1926.962.
    (7) Consider lines and equipment deenergized. After the applicable
requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(6) of this section have
been followed, the lines and equipment involved may be worked as
deenergized.
    (8) Transferring clearances. To transfer the clearance, the
employee in charge (or, if the employee in charge is forced to leave
the worksite due to illness or other emergency, the employee's
supervisor) shall inform the system operator; employees in the crew
shall be informed of the transfer; and the new employee in charge shall
be responsible for the clearance.
    (9) Releasing clearances. To release a clearance, the employee in
charge shall:
    (i) Notify each employee under his or her direction that the
clearance is to be released;
    (ii) Determine that all employees in the crew are clear of the
lines and equipment;
    (iii) Determine that all protective grounds installed by the crew
have been removed; and
    (iv) Report this information to the system operator and release the
clearance.
    (10) Person releasing clearance. The person releasing a clearance
shall be the same person who requested the clearance, unless
responsibility has been transferred under paragraph (c)(8) of this
section.
    (11) Removal of tags. Tags may not be removed unless the associated
clearance has been released under paragraph (c)(9) of this section.

    (12) Reenergizing lines and equipment. Only after all protective
grounds have been removed, after all crews working on the lines or
equipment have released their clearances, after all employees are clear
of the lines and equipment, and after all protective tags have been
removed from a given point of disconnection, may action be initiated to
reenergize the lines or equipment at that point of disconnection.

Sec.  1926.962  Grounding for the protection of employees.

    (a) Application. This section applies to the grounding of
transmission and distribution lines and equipment for the purpose of
protecting employees. Paragraph (d) of this section also applies to the
protective grounding of other equipment as required elsewhere in this
Subpart.
    (b) General. For any employee to work lines or equipment as
deenergized, the lines or equipment shall be deenergized under the
provisions of Sec.  1926.961 and shall be grounded as specified in
paragraphs (c) through (h) of this section. However, if the employer
can demonstrate that installation of a ground is impracticable or that
the conditions resulting from the installation of a ground would
present greater hazards than working without grounds, the lines and
equipment may be treated as deenergized provided all of the following
conditions are met:
    (1) Deenergized. The lines and equipment have been deenergized
under the provisions of Sec.  1926.961.
    (2) No possibility of contact. There is no possibility of contact
with another energized source.
    (3) No induced voltage. The hazard of induced voltage is not
present.
    (c) Equipotential zone. Temporary protective grounds shall be
placed at such locations and arranged in such a manner as to prevent
each employee from being exposed to hazardous differences in electrical
potential.
    (d) Protective grounding equipment. (1) Ampacity. (i) Protective
grounding equipment shall be capable of conducting the maximum fault
current that could flow at the point of grounding for the time
necessary to clear the fault.
    (ii) If the protective grounding equipment required under paragraph
(d)(1)(i) of this section would be larger than the conductor to which
it is attached, this equipment may be reduced in size provided that it
is sized and placed so that:
    (A) The conductor being grounded will fail before the protective
grounding equipment,
    (B) The conductor is only considered as grounded where it is
protected against failure by the protective grounding equipment, and
    (C) No employees would be endangered by the failed conductor.
    (iii) This equipment shall have an ampacity greater than or equal
to that of No. 2 AWG copper.
    (2) Impedance. Protective grounds shall have an impedance low
enough so that they do not delay the operation of protective devices in
case of accidental energizing of the lines or equipment.

    Note to paragraph (d) of this section: Guidelines for protective
grounding equipment are contained in American Society for Testing
and Materials Standard Specifications for Temporary Protective
Grounds to Be Used on De-Energized Electric Power Lines and
Equipment, ASTM F 855-03.

    (e) Testing. Before any ground is installed, lines and equipment
shall be tested and found absent of nominal voltage, unless a
previously installed ground is present.
    (f) Connecting and removing grounds. (1) Order of connection. When
a ground is to be attached to a line or to equipment, the ground-end
connection shall be attached first, and then the other end shall be
attached by means of a live-line tool. For lines or equipment operating
at 600 volts or less, insulating equipment other than a live-line tool
may be used if the employer ensures that the line or equipment is not
energized at the time the ground is connected or if the employer can
demonstrate that each employee would be protected from hazards that may
develop if the line or equipment is energized.
    (2) Order of removal. When a ground is to be removed, the grounding
device shall be removed from the line or equipment using a live-line
tool before the ground-end connection is removed. For lines or
equipment operating at 600 volts or less, insulating equipment other
than a live-line tool may be used if the employer ensures that the line
or equipment is not energized at the time the ground is disconnected or
if the employer can demonstrate that each employee would be protected
from hazards that may develop if the line or equipment is energized.
    (g) Additional precautions. When work is performed on a cable at a
location remote from the cable terminal, the cable may not be grounded
at the cable terminal if there is a possibility of hazardous transfer
of potential should a fault occur.
    (h) Removal of grounds for test. Grounds may be removed temporarily
during tests. During the test procedure, the employer shall ensure that
each employee uses insulating equipment and is isolated from any
hazards involved, and the employer shall institute any additional
measures as may be necessary to protect each exposed employee in case
the previously grounded lines and equipment become energized.

Sec.  1926.963  Testing and test facilities.

    (a) Application. This section provides for safe work practices for
high-voltage and high-power testing performed in laboratories, shops,
and substations, and in the field and on electric transmission and
distribution lines and equipment. It applies only to testing involving
interim measurements utilizing high voltage, high power, or
combinations of both, and not to testing involving continuous
measurements as in routine metering, relaying, and normal line work.

    Note to paragraph (a) of this section: Routine inspection and
maintenance measurements made by qualified employees are considered
to be routine line work and are not included in the scope of this
section, as long as the hazards related to the use of intrinsic
high-voltage or high-power sources require only the normal
precautions associated with routine operation and maintenance work
required in the other paragraphs of this section. Two typical
examples of such excluded test work procedures are ``phasing-out''
testing and testing for a ``no-voltage'' condition.

    (b) General requirements. (1) Safe work practices. The employer
shall establish and enforce work practices for the protection of each
worker from the hazards of high-voltage or high-power testing at all
test areas, temporary and permanent. Such work practices shall include,
as a minimum, test area guarding, grounding, and the safe use of
measuring and control circuits. A means providing for periodic safety
checks of field test areas shall also be included. (See paragraph (f)
of this section.)
    (2) Training. Employees shall be trained in safe work practices
upon their initial assignment to the test area, with periodic reviews
and updates provided as required by Sec.  1926.950(b).
    (c) Guarding of test areas. (1) Guarding. Guarding shall be
provided within test areas to control access to test equipment or to
apparatus under test that may become energized as part of the testing
by either direct or inductive coupling, in order to prevent accidental
employee contact with energized parts.
    (2) Permanent test areas. Permanent test areas shall be guarded by
walls, fences, or barriers designed to keep employees out of the test
areas.

    (3) Temporary test areas. In field testing, or at a temporary test
site where permanent fences and gates are not provided, one of the
following means shall be used to prevent unauthorized employees from
entering:
    (i) The test area shall be guarded by the use of distinctively
colored safety tape that is supported approximately waist high and to
which safety signs are attached,
    (ii) The test area shall be guarded by a barrier or barricade that
limits access to the test area to a degree equivalent, physically and
visually, to the barricade specified in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this
section, or
    (iii) The test area shall be guarded by one or more test observers
stationed so that the entire area can be monitored.
    (4) Removal of barriers. The barriers required by paragraph (c)(3)
of this section shall be removed when the protection they provide is no
longer needed.
    (d) Grounding practices. (1) Establish and implement practices. The
employer shall establish and implement safe grounding practices for the
test facility.
    (i) All conductive parts accessible to the test operator during the
time the equipment is operating at high voltage shall be maintained at
ground potential except for portions of the equipment that are isolated
from the test operator by guarding.
    (ii) Wherever ungrounded terminals of test equipment or apparatus
under test may be present, they shall be treated as energized until
determined by tests to be deenergized.
    (2) Installation of grounds. Visible grounds shall be applied,
either automatically or manually with properly insulated tools, to the
high-voltage circuits after they are deenergized and before work is
performed on the circuit or item or apparatus under test. Common ground
connections shall be solidly connected to the test equipment and the
apparatus under test.
    (3) Isolated ground return. In high-power testing, an isolated
ground-return conductor system shall be provided so that no intentional
passage of current, with its attendant voltage rise, can occur in the
ground grid or in the earth. However, an isolated ground-return
conductor need not be provided if the employer can demonstrate that
both the following conditions are met:
    (i) An isolated ground-return conductor cannot be provided due to
the distance of the test site from the electric energy source, and
    (ii) Employees are protected from any hazardous step and touch
potentials that may develop during the test.

    Note to paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section: See Appendix C to
this Subpart for information on measures that can be taken to
protect employees from hazardous step and touch potentials.

    (4) Equipment grounding conductors. In tests in which grounding of
test equipment by means of the equipment grounding conductor located in
the equipment power cord cannot be used due to increased hazards to
test personnel or the prevention of satisfactory measurements, a ground
that the employer can demonstrate affords equivalent safety shall be
provided, and the safety ground shall be clearly indicated in the test
set-up.
    (5) Grounding after tests. When the test area is entered after
equipment is deenergized, a ground shall be placed on the high-voltage
terminal and any other exposed terminals.
    (i) High capacitance equipment or apparatus shall be discharged
through a resistor rated for the available energy.
    (ii) A direct ground shall be applied to the exposed terminals when
the stored energy drops to a level at which it is safe to do so.
    (6) Grounding test vehicles. If a test trailer or test vehicle is
used in field testing, its chassis shall be grounded. Protection
against hazardous touch potentials with respect to the vehicle,
instrument panels, and other conductive parts accessible to employees
shall be provided by bonding, insulation, or isolation.
    (e) Control and measuring circuits. (1) Control wiring. Control
wiring, meter connections, test leads and cables may not be run from a
test area unless they are contained in a grounded metallic sheath and
terminated in a grounded metallic enclosure or unless other precautions
are taken that the employer can demonstrate as ensuring equivalent
safety.
    (2) Instruments. Meters and other instruments with accessible
terminals or parts shall be isolated from test personnel to protect
against hazards arising from such terminals and parts becoming
energized during testing. If this isolation is provided by locating
test equipment in metal compartments with viewing windows, interlocks
shall be provided to interrupt the power supply if the compartment
cover is opened.
    (3) Routing temporary wiring. The routing and connections of
temporary wiring shall be made secure against damage, accidental
interruptions, and other hazards. To the maximum extent possible,
signal, control, ground, and power cables shall be kept separate.
    (4) Test observer. If employees will be present in the test area
during testing, a test observer shall be present. The test observer
shall be capable of implementing the immediate deenergizing of test
circuits for safety purposes.
    (f) Safety check. (1) Before each test. Safety practices governing
employee work at temporary or field test areas shall provide for a
routine check of such test areas for safety at the beginning of each
series of tests.
    (2) Conditions to be checked. The test operator in charge shall
conduct these routine safety checks before each series of tests and
shall verify at least the following conditions:
    (i) That barriers and guards are in workable condition and are
properly placed to isolate hazardous areas;
    (ii) That system test status signals, if used, are in operable
condition;
    (iii) That test power disconnects are clearly marked and readily
available in an emergency;
    (iv) That ground connections are clearly identifiable;
    (v) That personal protective equipment is provided and used as
required by Subpart E of this Part and by this section; and
    (vi) That signal, ground, and power cables are properly separated.

Sec.  1926.964  Overhead lines.

    (a) General. (1) Application. This section provides additional
requirements for work performed on or near overhead lines and
equipment.
    (2) Checking structure before climbing. Before elevated structures,
such as poles or towers, are subjected to such stresses as climbing or
the installation or removal of equipment may impose, the employer shall
ascertain that the structures are capable of sustaining the additional
or unbalanced stresses. If the pole or other structure cannot withstand
the loads which will be imposed, it shall be braced or otherwise
supported so as to prevent failure.

    Note to paragraph (a)(2) of this section: Appendix D to this
Subpart contains test methods that can be used in ascertaining
whether a wood pole is capable of sustaining the forces that would
be imposed by an employee climbing the pole. This paragraph also
requires the employer to ascertain that the pole can sustain all
other forces that will be imposed by the work to be performed.

    (3) Setting and moving poles. (i) When poles are set, moved, or
removed near exposed energized overhead conductors, the pole may not
contact the conductors.
    (ii) When a pole is set, moved, or removed near an exposed
energized overhead conductor, the employer shall ensure that each
employee wears

electrical protective equipment or uses insulated devices when handling
the pole and that no employee contacts the pole with uninsulated parts
of his or her body.
    (iii) To protect employees from falling into holes into which poles
are to be placed, the holes shall be attended by employees or
physically guarded whenever anyone is working nearby.
    (b) Installing and removing overhead lines. The following
provisions apply to the installation and removal of overhead conductors
or cable.
    (1) Tension stringing method. The employer shall use the tension
stringing method, barriers, or other equivalent measures to minimize
the possibility that conductors and cables being installed or removed
will contact energized power lines or equipment.
    (2) Conductors, cables, and pulling and tensioning equipment. The
protective measures required by Sec.  1926.959(d)(3) for mechanical
equipment shall also be provided for conductors, cables, and pulling
and tensioning equipment when the conductor or cable is being installed
or removed close enough to energized conductors that any of the
following failures could energize the pulling or tensioning equipment
or the wire or cable being installed or removed:
    (i) Failure of the pulling or tensioning equipment,
    (ii) Failure of the wire or cable being pulled, or
    (iii) Failure of the previously installed lines or equipment.
    (3) Disable automatic-reclosing feature. If the conductors being
installed or removed cross over energized conductors in excess of 600
volts and if the design of the circuit-interrupting devices protecting
the lines so permits, the automatic-reclosing feature of these devices
shall be made inoperative.
    (4) Induced voltage. Before lines are installed parallel to
existing energized lines, the employer shall make a determination of
the approximate voltage to be induced in the new lines, or work shall
proceed on the assumption that the induced voltage is hazardous. Unless
the employer can demonstrate that the lines being installed are not
subject to the induction of a hazardous voltage or unless the lines are
treated as energized, the following requirements also apply:
    (i) Each bare conductor shall be grounded in increments so that no
point along the conductor is more than 3.22 km (2 miles) from a ground.
    (ii) The grounds required in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section
shall be left in place until the conductor installation is completed
between dead ends.
    (iii) The grounds required in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section
shall be removed as the last phase of aerial cleanup.
    (iv) If employees are working on bare conductors, grounds shall
also be installed at each location where these employees are working,
and grounds shall be installed at all open dead-end or catch-off points
or the next adjacent structure.
    (v) If two bare conductors are to be spliced, the conductors shall
be bonded and grounded before being spliced.
    (5) Safe operating condition. Reel handling equipment, including
pulling and tensioning devices, shall be in safe operating condition
and shall be leveled and aligned.
    (6) Load ratings. Load ratings of stringing lines, pulling lines,
conductor grips, load-bearing hardware and accessories, rigging, and
hoists may not be exceeded.
    (7) Defective pulling lines. Pulling lines and accessories shall be
repaired or replaced when defective.
    (8) Conductor grips. Conductor grips may not be used on wire rope,
unless the grip is specifically designed for this application.
    (9) Communications. Reliable communications, through two-way radios
or other equivalent means, shall be maintained between the reel tender
and the pulling rig operator.
    (10) Operation of pulling rig. The pulling rig may only be operated
when it is safe to do so.

    Note to paragraph (b)(10) of this section: Examples of unsafe
conditions include: employees in locations prohibited by paragraph
(b)(11) of this section, conductor and pulling line hang-ups, and
slipping of the conductor grip.

    (11) Working under overhead operations. While the conductor or
pulling line is being pulled (in motion) with a power-driven device,
employees are not permitted directly under overhead operations or on
the cross arm, except as necessary to guide the stringing sock or board
over or through the stringing sheave.
    (c) Live-line bare-hand work. In addition to other applicable
provisions contained in this section, the following requirements apply
to live-line bare-hand work:
    (1) Training. Before using or supervising the use of the live-line
bare-hand technique on energized circuits, employees shall be trained
in the technique and in the safety requirements of paragraph (c) of
this section. Employees shall receive refresher training as required by
Sec.  1926.950(b).
    (2) Existing conditions. Before any employee uses the live-line
bare-hand technique on energized high-voltage conductors or parts, the
following information shall be ascertained:
    (i) The nominal voltage rating of the circuit on which the work is