Appendix F to Subpart V of Part 1926--Work-Positioning Equipment
Inspection Guidelines
Appendix G to Subpart V of Part 1926--Reference Documents

Subpart V--Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

Sec.  1926.950  General.

    (a) Application. (1) Scope. (i) 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.

    Note to paragraph (a)(1)(i): An employer that complies with
Sec.  1910.269 of this chapter will be considered in compliance with
requirements in this subpart that do not reference other subparts of
this part. Compliance with Sec.  1910.269 of this chapter will not
excuse an employer from compliance obligations under other subparts
of this part.

    (ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, this
subpart does not apply to electrical safety-related work practices for
unqualified employees.
    (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) Each employee shall be trained
in, and familiar with, the safety-related work practices, safety
procedures, and other safety requirements in this subpart that pertain
to his or her job assignments.
    (ii) Each employee 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 his or her work and are necessary
for his or her safety.
    (iii) The degree of training shall be determined by the risk to the
employee for the hazard 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 and the skills and techniques necessary to
maintain those distances,
    (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
these hazards.

    Note to paragraph (b)(2): For the purposes of this subpart, a
person must have the training required by paragraph (b)(2) of this
section 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): The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration considers 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 ensure 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): 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): For an employee with previous
training, an employer may determine that that employee has
demonstrated the proficiency required by this paragraph using the
following process: (1) Confirm that the employee has the training
required by paragraph (b) of this section, (2) use an examination or
interview to make an initial determination that the employee
understands the relevant safety-related work practices before he or
she performs any work covered by this subpart, and (3) supervise the
employee closely until that employee has demonstrated proficiency as
required by this paragraph.

    (c) Information transfer. (1) Host employer responsibilities.
Before work begins, the host employer shall inform contract employers
of:
    (i) The characteristics of the host employer's installation that
are related to the safety of the work to be performed and are listed in
paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(5) of this section;

    Note to paragraph (c)(1)(i): This paragraph requires the host
employer to obtain information listed in paragraphs (d)(1) through
(d)(5) of this section if it does not have this information in
existing records.

    (ii) Conditions that are related to the safety of the work to be
performed, that are listed in paragraphs (d)(6) through (d)(8) of this
section, and that are known to the host employer;

    Note to paragraph (c)(1)(ii): For the purposes of this
paragraph, the host employer need only provide information to
contract employers that the host employer can obtain from its
existing records through the exercise of reasonable diligence. This
paragraph does not require the host employer to make inspections of
worksite conditions to obtain this information.

    (iii) Information about the design and operation of the host
employer's installation that the contract employer needs to make the
assessments required by this subpart; and

    Note to paragraph (c)(1)(iii): This paragraph requires the host
employer to obtain information about the design and operation of its
installation that contract employers need to make required
assessments if it does not have this information in existing
records.

    (iv) Any other information about the design and operation of the
host employer's installation that is known by the host employer, that
the contract employer requests, and that is related to the protection
of the contract employer's employees.

    Note to paragraph (c)(1)(iv): For the purposes of this
paragraph, the host employer need only provide information to
contract employers that the host employer can obtain from its
existing records through the exercise of reasonable diligence. This
paragraph does not require the host employer to make inspections of
worksite conditions to obtain this information.

    (2) Contract employer responsibilities. (i) The contract employer
shall ensure that each of its employees is instructed in the hazardous
conditions relevant to the employee's work that the contract employer
is aware of as a result of information communicated to the contract
employer by the host employer under paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (ii) Before work begins, the contract employer shall advise the
host employer of any unique hazardous conditions presented by the
contract employer's work.
    (iii) The contract employer shall advise the host employer of any
unanticipated hazardous conditions found during the contract employer's
work that the host employer did not mention under paragraph (c)(1) of
this section. The contract employer shall provide this information to
the host employer within 2 working days after discovering the hazardous
condition.
    (3) Joint host- and contract-employer responsibilities. The
contract employer and the host employer shall coordinate their work
rules and procedures so that each employee of the contract employer and
the host employer is protected as required by this subpart.
    (d) Existing characteristics and conditions. Existing
characteristics and conditions of electric lines and equipment that are
related to the safety of the work to be performed shall be determined
before work on or near the lines or equipment is started. Such
characteristics and conditions include, but are not limited to:
    (1) The nominal voltages of lines and equipment,
    (2) The maximum switching-transient voltages,
    (3) The presence of hazardous induced voltages,
    (4) The presence of protective grounds and equipment grounding
conductors,
    (5) The locations of circuits and equipment, including electric
supply lines, communication lines, and fire-protective signaling
circuits,
    (6) The condition of protective grounds and equipment grounding
conductors,
    (7) The condition of poles, and
    (8) Environmental conditions relating to safety.

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) First-aid training. In addition to the requirements of Sec.
1926.50, when employees are performing work on, or associated with,
exposed lines or equipment energized at 50 volts or more, persons with
first-aid training shall be available as follows:
    (1) Field work. For field work involving two or more employees at a
work location, at least two trained persons shall be available.
    (2) Fixed work locations. 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), each employee at the work
location shall be a trained employee.

Sec.  1926.952  Job briefing.

    (a) Before each job. (1) Information provided 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 all
available information that relates to the determination of existing
characteristics and conditions required by Sec.  1926.950(d).
    (2) Briefing by the employee in charge. The employer shall ensure
that the employee in charge conducts a job briefing that meets
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) At least one before each day or 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): The briefing must address 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 section covers enclosed spaces that may be
entered by employees. It does not apply to vented vaults if the
employer makes a determination that the ventilation system is operating
to protect employees before they enter the space. This section applies
to routine entry into enclosed spaces. If, after the employer takes the
precautions given in this section and in Sec.  1926.965, the hazards
remaining in the enclosed space endanger the life of an entrant or
could interfere with an entrant's 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.
    (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. Each employee who enters an enclosed space or who
serves as an attendant 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) Evaluating 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): The determination called for in this
paragraph may consist of a check of the conditions that might
foreseeably 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. An
evaluation also needs to 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) Removing covers. When covers are removed from enclosed spaces,
the opening shall be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or
other barrier designed 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 permit-required confined spaces standard in Sec.
1910.146 of this chapter.
    (h) Attendants. While work is being performed in the enclosed
space, an attendant with first-aid training 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. The attendant 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 or ensuring that
it is safe for employees to enter and exit the space.

    Note to paragraph (h): 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 atmosphere in the enclosed space 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 for flammable gases or vapors. 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 above safe
levels occurs may be followed in lieu of ventilation if flammable gases
or vapors are initially detected at safe levels.

    Note to paragraph (l): See the definition of ``hazardous
atmosphere'' for guidance in determining whether a specific
concentration of a substance is 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): See the definition of ``hazardous
atmosphere'' for guidance in determining whether a specific
concentration of a substance is hazardous.

    Note to Sec.  1926.953: 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.

Sec.  1926.954  Personal protective equipment.

    (a) General. Personal protective equipment shall meet the
requirements of Subpart E of this part.

    Note to paragraph (a): Paragraph (d) of Sec.  1926.95 sets
employer payment obligations for the personal protective equipment
required by this subpart, including, but not limited to, the fall
protection equipment required by paragraph (b) of this section, the
electrical protective equipment required by Sec.  1926.960(c), and
the flame-resistant and arc-rated clothing and other protective
equipment required by Sec.  1926.960(g).

    (b) Fall protection. (1) Personal fall arrest systems. (i) Personal
fall arrest systems shall meet the requirements of Subpart M of this
part.
    (ii) Personal fall arrest equipment used by employees who are
exposed to hazards from flames or electric arcs, as determined by the
employer under Sec.  1926.960(g)(1), shall be capable of passing a drop
test equivalent to that required by paragraph (b)(2)(xii) of this
section after exposure to an electric arc with a heat energy of
405 cal/cm\2\.
    (2) Work-positioning equipment. Body belts and positioning straps
for work-positioning equipment 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 steel, pressed steel,
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-kilonewton
(2,000-pound-force) tension test with a maximum permanent deformation
no greater than 0.4 millimeters (0.0156 inches).
    (iii) D rings shall be capable of withstanding a 22-kilonewton
(5,000-pound-force) tensile test without cracking or breaking.
    (iv) Snaphooks shall be capable of withstanding a 22-kilonewton
(5,000-pound-force) tension test without failure.

    Note to paragraph (b)(2)(iv): Distortion of the snaphook
sufficient to release the keeper is considered to be tensile failure
of a snaphook.

    (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 constructed in such a way that no raw
edges are exposed and 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 (25,000
volts per foot) for 3 minutes without visible deterioration;
    (B) A leakage test of 98.4 volts, AC, per centimeter (3,000 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):
Positioning straps that pass direct-current tests at equivalent
voltages are considered as meeting this requirement.

    (C) Tension tests of 20 kilonewtons (4,500 pounds-force) for
sections free of buckle holes and of 15 kilonewtons (3,500 pounds-
force) for sections with buckle holes;
    (D) A buckle-tear test with a load of 4.4 kilonewtons (1,000
pounds-force); 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 supporting a 100-    strap shall self extinguish.
 kg (220.5-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 for any flames on the positioning
 strap to stop burning.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (viii) The cushion part of the body belt shall contain no exposed
rivets on the inside and shall be at least 76 millimeters (3 inches) in
width.
    (ix) Tool loops shall be situated on the body of a body belt so
that the 100 millimeters (4 inches) of the body belt that is 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 6.7 N (1.5 lbf) to 17.8 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 11.2 N (2.5 lbf) or less and shall begin to open
with a maximum force of 17.8 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). For work-
positioning equipment used by employees weighing more than 140 kg (310
lbm) fully equipped, the test mass shall be increased proportionately
(that is, the test mass must equal the mass of the equipped worker
divided by 1.4).
    (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 possible to accommodate the test and connected to the
test-structure anchorage point at one end and to the test mass on the
other end.
    (D) The test mass shall be dropped an unobstructed distance of 1
meter (39.4 inches) 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
kilonewtons (4,000 pounds-force). Additionally, snaphooks on
positioning straps may not distort to such an extent that the keeper
would release.

    Note to paragraph (b)(2): When used by employees weighing no
more than 140 kg (310 lbm) fully equipped, body belts and
positioning straps that conform to American Society of Testing and
Materials Standard Specifications for Personal Climbing Equipment,
ASTM F887-12\e1\, are deemed to be in compliance with paragraph
(b)(2) 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. Work-
positioning equipment that is not in safe working condition may not be
used.

    Note to paragraph (b)(3)(i): Appendix F to this subpart contains
guidelines for inspecting work-positioning equipment.

    (ii) Personal fall arrest systems shall be used in accordance with
Sec.  1926.502(d).

    Note to paragraph (b)(3)(ii): Fall protection equipment rigged
to arrest falls is considered a fall arrest system and must meet the
applicable requirements for the design and use of those systems.
Fall protection equipment rigged for work positioning is considered
work-positioning equipment and must meet the applicable requirements
for the design and use of that equipment.

    (iii) The employer shall ensure that employees use fall protection
systems as follows:
    (A) Each employee working from an aerial lift shall use a fall
restraint system or a personal fall arrest system. Paragraph (b)(2)(v)
of Sec.  1926.453 does not apply.
    (B) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3)(iii)(C) of this section,
each employee in elevated locations more than 1.2 meters (4 feet) above
the ground on poles, towers, or similar structures shall use a personal
fall arrest system, work-positioning equipment, or fall restraint
system, as appropriate, if the employer has not provided other fall
protection meeting Subpart M of this part.
    (C) Until March 31, 2015, a qualified employee climbing or changing
location on poles, towers, or similar structures need not use fall
protection equipment, 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.
On and after April 1, 2015, each qualified employee climbing or
changing location on poles, towers, or similar structures must use fall
protection equipment unless the employer can demonstrate that climbing
or changing location with fall protection is infeasible or creates a
greater hazard than climbing or changing location without it.

    Note 1 to paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(B) and (b)(3)(iii)(C): These
paragraphs apply to structures that support overhead electric power
transmission and distribution lines and equipment. They do not apply
to portions of buildings, such as loading docks, or to electric
equipment, such as transformers and capacitors. Subpart M of this
part contains the duty to provide fall protection associated with
walking and working surfaces.

    Note 2 to paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(B) and (b)(3)(iii)(C): Until
the employer ensures that employees are proficient in climbing and
the use of fall protection under Sec.  1926.950(b)(7), the employees
are not considered ``qualified employees'' for the purposes of
paragraphs (b)(3)(iii)(B) and (b)(3)(iii)(C) of this section. These
paragraphs require unqualified employees (including trainees) to use
fall protection any time they are more than 1.2 meters (4 feet)
above the ground.

    (iv) On and after April 1, 2015, work-positioning systems shall be
rigged so that an employee can free fall no more than 0.6 meters (2
feet).
    (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 kilonewtons (3,000 pounds-force), whichever is greater.

    Note to paragraph (b)(3)(v): Wood-pole fall-restriction devices
meeting American Society of Testing and Materials Standard
Specifications for Personal Climbing Equipment, ASTM F887-12\e1\,
are deemed to meet the anchorage-strength requirement when they are
used in accordance with manufacturers' instructions.

    (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 that is incompatibly shaped or dimensioned in
relation to the snaphook such that accidental disengagement could occur
should the connected object sufficiently depress the snaphook keeper to
allow release of the object.

Sec.  1926.955  Portable ladders and platforms.

    (a) General. Requirements for portable ladders contained in Subpart
X of this part apply in addition to the

requirements of this section, except as specifically noted in paragraph
(b) of this section.
    (b) Special ladders and platforms. Portable ladders used on
structures or conductors in conjunction with overhead line work need
not meet Sec.  1926.1053(b)(5)(i) and (b)(12). Portable ladders and
platforms used on structures or conductors in conjunction with overhead
line work shall meet the following requirements:
    (1) Design load. In the configurations in which they are used,
portable platforms shall be capable of supporting without failure at
least 2.5 times the maximum intended load.
    (2) Maximum load. Portable ladders and platforms may not be loaded
in excess of the working loads for which they are designed.
    (3) Securing in place. Portable ladders and platforms shall be
secured to prevent them from becoming dislodged.
    (4) Intended use. Portable 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 when the employer demonstrates that nonconductive
ladders would present a greater hazard to employees than conductive
ladders.

Sec.  1926.956  Hand and portable power equipment.

    (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. Cord- and plug-connected
equipment not covered by Subpart K of this part shall comply with one
of the following instead of Sec.  1926.302(a)(1):
    (1) The equipment shall be equipped with a cord containing an
equipment grounding conductor connected to the equipment frame and to a
means for grounding the other end of the conductor (however, this
option may not be used where the introduction of the ground into the
work environment increases the hazard to an employee); or
    (2) The equipment shall be of the double-insulated type conforming
to Subpart K of this part; or
    (3) The equipment shall be connected to the power supply through an
isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary of not more than 50
volts.
    (c) Portable and vehicle-mounted generators. Portable and vehicle-
mounted generators used to supply cord- and plug-connected equipment
covered by paragraph (b) of this section 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 non-current-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. For 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): If any hazardous defects are present,
no operating pressure is 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): Use of hydraulic lines that do not
have check valves and that have a separation of more than 10.7
meters (35 feet) between the oil reservoir and the upper end of the
hydraulic system promotes 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. Employers must ensure that employees do 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 328,100 volts
per meter (100,000 volts per foot) of length for 5 minutes, or

    Note to paragraph (a)(1): Live-line tools using rod and tube
that meet ASTM F711-02 (2007), Standard Specification for
Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Rod and Tube Used in Live Line
Tools, are deemed to comply with paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

    (2) Wood. If the tool is made of wood, it shall withstand 246,100
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 during 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): Guidelines for the examination, cleaning,
repairing, and in-service testing of live-line tools are specified
in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' IEEE Guide
for Maintenance Methods on Energized Power Lines, IEEE Std 516-2009.

Sec.  1926.958  Materials handling and storage.

    (a) General. Materials handling and storage shall comply with
applicable material-handling and material-storage requirements in this
part, including those in Subparts N and CC of this part.
    (b) Materials storage near energized lines or equipment. (1)
Unrestricted areas. In areas to which access is 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 a distance that provides for the maximum sag
and side swing of all conductors and for the height and movement of
material-handling equipment:
    (i) For lines and equipment energized at 50 kilovolts or less, the
distance is 3.05 meters (10 feet).
    (ii) For lines and equipment energized at more than 50 kilovolts,
the distance is 3.05 meters (10 feet) plus 0.10 meter (4 inches) for
every 10 kilovolts over 50 kilovolts.
    (2) Restricted areas. In areas restricted to qualified employees,
materials may not be stored within the working space about energized
lines or equipment.

    Note to paragraph (b)(2): Paragraph (b) of Sec.  1926.966
specifies the size of the working space.

Sec.  1926.959  Mechanical equipment.

    (a) General requirements. (1) Other applicable requirements.
Mechanical equipment shall be operated in accordance with applicable
requirements in this part, including Subparts N, O, and CC of this
part, except that Sec.  1926.600(a)(6) does 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): Critical safety components of
mechanical elevating and rotating equipment are components for which
failure would result in 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)
is endangered.
    (b) Outriggers. (1) Extend outriggers. Mobile equipment, if
provided with outriggers, shall be operated with the outriggers
extended and firmly set, except as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this
section.
    (2) Clear view. Outriggers may not be extended or retracted outside
of the clear view of the operator unless all employees are outside the
range of possible equipment motion.
    (3) 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 specified by the equipment manufacturer
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 mechanical
equipment is being used.
    (d) Operations near energized lines or equipment. (1) Minimum
approach distance. Mechanical equipment shall be operated so that the
minimum approach distances, established by the employer under Sec.
1926.960(c)(1)(i), 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 having a
different electrical potential.
    (2) Observer. A designated employee other than the equipment
operator shall observe the approach distance to exposed lines and
equipment and provide 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, that equipment could become energized, the operation also
shall comply with at least one of paragraphs (d)(3)(i) through
(d)(3)(iii) of this section.
    (i) The energized lines or equipment exposed to contact shall be
covered with insulating protective material that will withstand the
type of contact that could be made during the operation.
    (ii) The mechanical equipment shall be insulated for the voltage
involved. The mechanical equipment shall be positioned so that its
uninsulated portions cannot approach the energized lines or equipment
any closer than the minimum approach distances, established by the
employer under Sec.  1926.960(c)(1)(i).
    (iii) Each employee shall be protected from hazards that could
arise from mechanical equipment contact with energized lines or
equipment. The measures used shall ensure that employees will not be
exposed to hazardous differences in electric potential. Unless the
employer can demonstrate that the methods in use protect each employee
from the hazards that could arise if the mechanical equipment contacts
the energized line or equipment, the measures used shall include all of
the following techniques:
    (A) Using the best available ground to minimize the time the lines
or electric equipment remain energized,
    (B) Bonding mechanical 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 electrical potential differences.

    Note to paragraph (d)(3)(iii): 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 any employees perform the following types of work:
    (A) Installation, removal, or repair of lines 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, the electrical hazards posed by operations
listed specifically in paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(A) through (b)(3)(i)(D) of
this section.
    (ii) Paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section does not apply to the
following operations:
    (A) Routine circuit switching, when the employer can demonstrate
that conditions at the site allow safe performance of this work,
    (B) Work performed with live-line tools when the position of the
employee is such 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. (i) The employer
shall establish minimum approach distances no less than the distances
computed by Table V-2 for ac systems or Table V-7 for dc systems.
    (ii) No later than April 1, 2015, for voltages over 72.5 kilovolts,
the employer shall determine the maximum anticipated per-unit transient
overvoltage, phase-to-ground, through an engineering analysis or assume
a maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground,
in accordance with Table V-8. When the employer uses portable
protective gaps to control the maximum transient overvoltage, the value
of the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-
ground, must provide for five standard deviations between the
statistical sparkover voltage of the gap and the statistical withstand
voltage corresponding to the electrical component of the minimum
approach distance. The employer shall make any engineering analysis
conducted to determine maximum anticipated per-unit transient
overvoltage available upon request to employees and to the Assistant
Secretary or designee for examination and copying.

    Note to paragraph (c)(1)(ii): See Appendix B to this subpart for
information on how to calculate the maximum anticipated per-unit
transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, when the employer uses
portable protective gaps to reduce maximum transient overvoltages.

    (iii) The employer shall ensure that no employee approaches or
takes any conductive object closer to exposed energized parts than the
employer's established minimum approach distance, unless:
    (A) The employee is insulated from the energized part (rubber
insulating gloves or rubber insulating gloves and sleeves worn in
accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section constitutes 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
employee's body), or
    (B) The energized part is insulated from the employee and from any
other conductive object at a different potential, or
    (C) The employee is insulated from any other exposed conductive
object in accordance with the requirements for live-line barehand work
in Sec.  1926.964(c).
    (2) Type of insulation. (i) When an employee uses rubber insulating
gloves as insulation from energized parts (under paragraph
(c)(1)(iii)(A) of this section), the employer shall ensure that the
employee also uses rubber insulating sleeves. However, an employee need
not use rubber insulating sleeves if:
    (A) Exposed energized parts on which the employee is not working
are insulated from the employee; and
    (B) When installing insulation for purposes of paragraph
(c)(2)(i)(A) of this section, the employee installs the insulation from
a position that does not expose his or her upper arm to contact with
other energized parts.
    (ii) When an employee uses rubber insulating gloves or rubber
insulating gloves and sleeves as insulation from energized parts (under
paragraph (c)(1)(iii)(A) of this section), the employer shall ensure
that the employee:
    (A) Puts on the rubber insulating gloves and sleeves in a position
where he or she cannot reach into the minimum approach distance,
established by the employer under paragraph (c)(1) of this section; and
    (B) Does not remove the rubber insulating gloves and sleeves until
he or she is in a position where he or she cannot reach into the
minimum approach distance, established by the employer under 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's.
    (2) Requirements for working without electrical protective
equipment. When an employee performs work near exposed parts energized
at more than 600 volts, but not more than 72.5 kilovolts, and is not
wearing rubber insulating gloves, being protected by insulating
equipment covering the energized parts, performing work using live-line
tools, or performing live-line barehand work under Sec.  1926.964(c),
the employee shall work from a position where he or she cannot reach
into the minimum approach distance, established by the employer under
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (e) Making connections. The employer shall ensure that employees
make connections 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, an employee shall keep loose
conductors away from exposed energized parts.
    (f) Conductive articles. When an employee performs work within
reaching distance of exposed energized parts of equipment, the employer
shall

ensure that the employee removes or renders nonconductive all exposed
conductive articles, such as keychains 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) Protection from flames and electric arcs. (1) Hazard
assessment. The employer shall assess the workplace to identify
employees 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 incident heat energy to which the employee would be
exposed.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2): Appendix E to this subpart provides
guidance on estimating available heat energy. The Occupational
Safety and Health Administration will deem employers following the
guidance in Appendix E to this subpart to be in compliance with
paragraph (g)(2) of this section. An employer may choose a method of
calculating incident heat energy not included in Appendix E to this
subpart if the chosen method reasonably predicts the incident energy
to which the employee would be exposed.

    Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2): This paragraph does not require the
employer to estimate the incident 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 employee 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 flames or 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 flames or the heat energy
estimated under paragraph (g)(2) of this section.

    Note to paragraph (g)(3): This paragraph prohibits clothing made
from acetate, nylon, polyester, rayon and polypropylene, either
alone or in blends, unless the employer demonstrates that the fabric
has been treated to withstand the conditions that may be encountered
by the employee or that the employee wears the clothing in such a
manner as to eliminate the hazard involved.

    (4) Flame-resistant clothing. The employer shall ensure that the
outer layer of clothing worn by an employee, except for clothing not
required to be arc rated under paragraphs (g)(5)(i) through (g)(5)(v)
of this section, is flame resistant under any of the following
conditions:
    (i) The employee is exposed to contact with energized circuit parts
operating at more than 600 volts,
    (ii) An electric arc could ignite flammable material in the work
area that, in turn, could ignite the employee's clothing,
    (iii) Molten metal or electric arcs from faulted conductors in the
work area could ignite the employee's clothing, or

    Note to paragraph (g)(4)(iii): 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.

    (iv) The incident heat energy estimated under paragraph (g)(2) of
this section exceeds 2.0 cal/cm\2\.
    (5) Arc rating. The employer shall ensure that each employee
exposed to hazards from electric arcs wears protective clothing and
other protective equipment with an arc rating greater than or equal to
the heat energy estimated under paragraph (g)(2) of this section
whenever that estimate exceeds 2.0 cal/cm\2\. This protective equipment
shall cover the employee's entire body, except as follows:
    (i) Arc-rated protection is not necessary for the employee's hands
when the employee is wearing rubber insulating gloves with protectors
or, if the estimated incident energy is no more than 14 cal/cm\2\,
heavy-duty leather work gloves with a weight of at least 407 gm/m\2\
(12 oz/yd\2\),
    (ii) Arc-rated protection is not necessary for the employee's feet
when the employee is wearing heavy-duty work shoes or boots,
    (iii) Arc-rated protection is not necessary for the employee's head
when the employee is wearing head protection meeting Sec.
1926.100(b)(2) if the estimated incident energy is less than 9 cal/
cm\2\ for exposures involving single-phase arcs in open air or 5 cal/
cm\2\ for other exposures,
    (iv) The protection for the employee's head may consist of head
protection meeting Sec.  1926.100(b)(2) and a faceshield with a minimum
arc rating of 8 cal/cm\2\ if the estimated incident-energy exposure is
less than 13 cal/cm\2\ for exposures involving single-phase arcs in
open air or 9 cal/cm\2\ for other exposures, and
    (v) For exposures involving single-phase arcs in open air, the arc
rating for the employee's head and face protection may be 4 cal/cm\2\
less than the estimated incident energy.

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

    (6) Dates. (i) The obligation in paragraph (g)(2) of this section
for the employer to make reasonable estimates of incident energy
commences January 1, 2015.
    (ii) The obligation in paragraph (g)(4)(iv) of this section for the
employer to ensure that the outer layer of clothing worn by an employee
is flame-resistant when the estimated incident heat energy exceeds 2.0
cal/cm\2\ commences April 1, 2015.
    (iii) The obligation in paragraph (g)(5) of this section for the
employer to ensure that each employee exposed to hazards from electric
arcs wears the required arc-rated protective equipment commences April
1, 2015.
    (h) Fuse handling. When an employee must install or remove fuses
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 the employee uses tools or gloves rated for the voltage.
When an employee installs or removes expulsion-type fuses with one or
both terminals energized at more than 300 volts, the employer shall
ensure that the 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 that pertain to the hazards of exposed live parts also apply
when an employee performs work in proximity to covered (noninsulated)
wires.
    (j) Non-current-carrying metal parts. Non-current-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 these parts are exposed, unless the employer inspects the
installation and determines that these parts are grounded before
employees begin performing the work.
    (k) Opening and closing circuits under load. (1) The employer shall
ensure that devices used by employees to open circuits under load
conditions are designed to interrupt the current involved.
    (2) The employer shall ensure that devices used by employees to
close circuits under load conditions are designed to safely carry the
current involved.
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR11AP14.034

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR11AP14.035

BILLING CODE 4510-26-C

        Table V-3--Electrical Component of the Minimum Approach Distance (D; in Meters) at 5.1 to 72.5 kV
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Phase-to-ground exposure  Phase-to-phase exposure
             Nominal voltage (kV) phase-to-phase              --------------------------------------------------
                                                                         D (m)                    D (m)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.1 to 15.0..................................................                     0.04                      0.07
15.1 to 36.0.................................................                     0.16                      0.28
36.1 to 46.0.................................................                     0.23                      0.37
46.1 to 72.5.................................................                     0.39                      0.59
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Table V-4--Altitude Correction Factor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Altitude above sea level (m)                      A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 to 900.......................................                     1.00
901 to 1,200...................................                     1.02
1,201 to 1,500.................................                     1.05
1,501 to 1,800.................................                     1.08
1,801 to 2,100.................................                     1.11
2,101 to 2,400.................................                     1.14
2,401 to 2,700.................................                     1.17
2,701 to 3,000.................................                     1.20
3,001 to 3,600.................................                     1.25
3,601 to 4,200.................................                     1.30
4,201 to 4,800.................................                     1.35
4,801 to 5,400.................................                     1.39
5,401 to 6,000.................................                     1.44
------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Table V-5--Alternative Minimum Approach Distances (in Meters or Feet and Inches) for Voltages of 72.5 kV and
                                                    Less \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Distance
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
      Nominal voltage (kV) phase-to-phase            Phase-to-ground exposure         Phase-to-phase exposure
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        m               ft               m              ft
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.50 0.300 \2\.................................           Avoid contact
                                                          Avoid contact
                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------
0.301 to 0.750 \2\.............................            0.33            1.09             0.33            1.09
0.751 to 5.0...................................            0.63            2.07             0.63            2.07
5.1 to 15.0....................................            0.65            2.14             0.68            2.24
15.1 to 36.0...................................            0.77            2.53             0.89            2.92
36.1 to 46.0...................................            0.84            2.76             0.98            3.22
46.1 to 72.5...................................            1.00            3.29             1.20            3.94
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Employers may use the minimum approach distances in this table provided the worksite is at an elevation of
  900 meters (3,000 feet) or less. If employees will be working at elevations greater than 900 meters (3,000
  feet) above mean sea level, the employer shall determine minimum approach distances by multiplying the
  distances in this table by the correction factor in Table V-4 corresponding to the altitude of the work.
\2\ For single-phase systems, use voltage-to-ground.

 Table V-6--Alternative Minimum Approach Distances (in Meters or Feet and Inches) for Voltages of More Than 72.5
                                                    kV 1 2 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Phase-to-ground exposure         Phase-to-phase exposure
       Voltage range phase to phase (kV)        ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        m               ft               m              ft
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
72.6 to 121.0..................................            1.13            3.71             1.42            4.66
121.1 to 145.0.................................            1.30            4.27             1.64            5.38
145.1 to 169.0.................................            1.46            4.79             1.94            6.36
169.1 to 242.0.................................            2.01            6.59             3.08           10.10
242.1 to 362.0.................................            3.41           11.19             5.52           18.11
362.1 to 420.0.................................            4.25           13.94             6.81           22.34
420.1 to 550.0.................................            5.07           16.63             8.24           27.03
550.1 to 800.0.................................            6.88           22.57            11.38           37.34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Employers may use the minimum approach distances in this table provided the worksite is at an elevation of
  900 meters (3,000 feet) or less. If employees will be working at elevations greater than 900 meters (3,000
  feet) above mean sea level, the employer shall determine minimum approach distances by multiplying the
  distances in this table by the correction factor in Table V-4 corresponding to the altitude of the work.
\2\ Employers may use the phase-to-phase minimum approach distances in this table provided that no insulated
  tool spans the gap and no large conductive object is in the gap.
\3\ The clear live-line tool distance shall equal or exceed the values for the indicated voltage ranges.

            Table V-7--DC Live-Line Minimum Approach Distance (in Meters) With Overvoltage Factor \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 distance (m) maximum line-to-ground voltage (kV)
  Maximum anticipated per-unit   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      transient overvoltage             250             400             500             600             750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.5 or less.....................            1.12            1.60            2.06            2.62            3.61
1.6.............................            1.17            1.69            2.24            2.86            3.98
1.7.............................            1.23            1.82            2.42            3.12            4.37
1.8.............................            1.28            1.95            2.62            3.39            4.79
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The distances specified in this table are for air, bare-hand, and live-line tool conditions. If employees
  will be working at elevations greater than 900 meters (3,000 feet) above mean sea level, the employer shall
  determine minimum approach distances by multiplying the distances in this table by the correction factor in
  Table V-4 corresponding to the altitude of the work.

                            Table V-8--Assumed Maximum Per-Unit Transient Overvoltage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Assumed maximum  per-
                      Voltage range (kV)                         Type of current (ac or       unit transient
                                                                          dc)                  overvoltage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
72.6 to 420.0.................................................                       ac                      3.5
420.1 to 550.0................................................                       ac                      3.0
550.1 to 800.0................................................                       ac                      2.5
250 to 750....................................................                       dc                      1.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, the
employer shall designate one employee in the crew to be in charge of
the clearance and shall comply with all of the requirements of
paragraph (c) of this section in the order specified.
    (2) No system operator. If no system operator is in charge of the
lines or equipment and their means of disconnection, the employer shall
designate one employee in the crew to be in charge of the clearance and
to perform the functions that the system operator would otherwise
perform under this section. All of the requirements of paragraph (c) of
this section apply, in the order specified, except as provided in
paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (3) Single crews working with the means of disconnection under the
control of the employee in charge of the clearance. 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),
and (c)(5) of this section do not apply. Additionally, the employer
does not need to use the tags required by the remaining provisions of
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (4) Multiple crews. If two or more crews will be working on the
same lines or equipment, then:
    (i) The crews shall coordinate their activities under this section
with a single employee in charge of the clearance for all of the crews
and follow the requirements of this section as if all of the employees
formed a single crew, or
    (ii) Each crew shall independently comply with this section and, if
there is no system operator in charge of the lines or equipment, shall
have separate tags and coordinate deenergizing and reenergizing the
lines and equipment with the other crews.
    (5) Disconnecting means accessible to general public. The employer
shall render any disconnecting means that are accessible to individuals
outside the employer's control (for example, the general public)
inoperable while the disconnecting means are open for the purpose of
protecting employees.
    (c) Deenergizing lines and equipment. (1) Request to deenergize.
The employee that the employer designates pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this section as being in charge of the clearance shall make a request
of the system operator to deenergize the particular section of line or
equipment. 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. The employer shall ensure that 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 are open. The employer shall
render such means inoperable, unless its design does not so permit, and
then ensure that such means are tagged to indicate that employees are
at work.
    (3) Automatically and remotely controlled switches. The employer
shall ensure that automatically and remotely controlled switches that
could cause the opened disconnecting means to close are also tagged at
the points of control. The employer shall render the automatic or
remote control feature inoperable, unless its design does not so
permit.
    (4) Network protectors. The employer need not use the tags
mentioned in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section on a network
protector for work on the primary feeder for the network protector's
associated network transformer when the employer can demonstrate all of
the following conditions:
    (i) Every network protector is maintained so that it will
immediately trip open if closed when a primary conductor is
deenergized;
    (ii) Employees cannot manually place any network protector in a
closed position without the use of tools, and any manual override
position is blocked, locked, or otherwise disabled; and
    (iii) The employer has procedures for manually overriding any
network protector that incorporate provisions for determining, before
anyone places a network protector in a closed position,

that: The line connected to the network protector is not deenergized
for the protection of any employee working on the line; and (if the
line connected to the network protector is not deenergized for the
protection of any employee working on the line) the primary conductors
for the network protector are energized.
    (5) Tags. Tags shall prohibit operation of the disconnecting means
and shall indicate that employees are at work.
    (6) Test for energized condition. After the applicable requirements
in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this section have been followed
and the system operator gives a clearance to the employee in charge,
the employer shall ensure that the lines and equipment are deenergized
by testing the lines and equipment to be worked with a device designed
to detect voltage.
    (7) Install grounds. The employer shall ensure the installation of
protective grounds as required by Sec.  1926.962.
    (8) Consider lines and equipment deenergized. After the applicable
requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(7) of this section have
been followed, the lines and equipment involved may be considered
deenergized.
    (9) Transferring clearances. To transfer the clearance, the
employee in charge (or the employee's supervisor if the employee in
charge must leave the worksite due to illness or other emergency) shall
inform the system operator and employees in the crew; and the new
employee in charge shall be responsible for the clearance.
    (10) Releasing clearances. To release a clearance, the employee in
charge shall:
    (i) Notify each employee under that clearance of the pending
release of the clearance;
    (ii) Ensure that all employees under that clearance are clear of
the lines and equipment;
    (iii) Ensure that all protective grounds protecting employees under
that clearance have been removed; and
    (iv) Report this information to the system operator and then
release the clearance.
    (11) Person releasing clearance. Only the employee in charge who
requested the clearance may release the clearance, unless the employer
transfers responsibility under paragraph (c)(9) of this section.
    (12) Removal of tags. No one may remove tags without the release of
the associated clearance as specified under paragraphs (c)(10) and
(c)(11) of this section.
    (13) Reenergizing lines and equipment. The employer shall ensure
that no one initiates action to reenergize the lines or equipment at a
point of disconnection until all protective grounds have been removed,
all crews working on the lines or equipment release their clearances,
all employees are clear of the lines and equipment, and all protective
tags are removed from that point of disconnection.

Sec.  1926.962  Grounding for the protection of employees.

    (a) Application. This section applies to grounding of transmission
and distribution lines and equipment for the purpose of protecting
employees. Paragraph (d) of this section also applies to protective
grounding of other equipment as required elsewhere in this Subpart.

    Note to paragraph (a): This section covers grounding of
transmission and distribution lines and equipment when this subpart
requires protective grounding and whenever the employer chooses to
ground such lines and equipment for the protection of employees.

    (b) General. For any employee to work transmission and distribution
lines or equipment as deenergized, the employer shall ensure that the
lines or equipment are deenergized under the provisions of Sec.
1926.961 and shall ensure proper grounding of the lines or equipment 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 to employees than working
without grounds, the lines and equipment may be treated as deenergized
provided that the employer establishes that all of the following
conditions apply:
    (1) Deenergized. The employer ensures that the lines and equipment
are 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 that the
employer can demonstrate will prevent each employee from being exposed
to hazardous differences in electric potential.

    Note to paragraph (c): Appendix C to this subpart contains
guidelines for establishing the equipotential zone required by this
paragraph. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will
deem grounding practices meeting these guidelines as complying with
paragraph (c) of this section.

    (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) Protective grounding 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): American Society for Testing and
Materials Standard Specifications for Temporary Protective Grounds
to Be Used on De-Energized Electric Power Lines and Equipment, ASTM
F855-09, contains guidelines for protective grounding equipment. The
Institute of Electrical Engineers Guide for Protective Grounding of
Power Lines, IEEE Std 1048-2003, contains guidelines for selecting
and installing protective grounding equipment.

    (e) Testing. The employer shall ensure that, unless a previously
installed ground is present, employees test lines and equipment and
verify the absence of nominal voltage before employees install any
ground on those lines or that equipment.
    (f) Connecting and removing grounds. (1) Order of connection. The
employer shall ensure that, when an employee attaches a ground to a
line or to equipment, the employee attaches the ground-end connection
first and then attaches the other end by means of a live-line tool. For
lines or equipment operating at 600 volts or less, the employer may
permit the employee to use insulating equipment other than a live-line
tool 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 is protected from hazards that may
develop if the line or equipment is energized.
    (2) Order of removal. The employer shall ensure that, when an
employee removes a ground, the employee removes the grounding device
from the line or equipment using a live-line tool before he or she
removes the ground-end connection. For lines or equipment operating at
600 volts or less, the employer may permit the employee to use
insulating equipment other than a live-line tool 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 is

protected from hazards that may develop if the line or equipment is
energized.
    (g) Additional precautions. The employer shall ensure that, when an
employee performs work on a cable at a location remote from the cable
terminal, the cable is not 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. The employer may permit employees
to remove grounds temporarily during tests. During the test procedure,
the employer shall ensure that each employee uses insulating equipment,
shall isolate each employee from any hazards involved, and shall
implement any additional measures 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 using high voltage, high power, or combinations of
high voltage and high power, and not to testing involving continuous
measurements as in routine metering, relaying, and normal line work.

    Note to paragraph (a): OSHA considers routine inspection and
maintenance measurements made by qualified employees to be routine
line work not included in the scope of this section, provided that
the hazards related to the use of intrinsic high-voltage or high-
power sources require only the normal precautions associated with
routine work specified in the other paragraphs of this subpart. 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 safeguarding, grounding, the safe use of
measuring and control circuits, and a means providing for periodic
safety checks of field test areas.
    (2) Training. The employer shall ensure that each employee, upon
initial assignment to the test area, receives training in safe work
practices, with retraining provided as required by Sec.  1926.950(b).
    (c) Safeguarding of test areas. (1) Safeguarding. The employer
shall provide safeguarding within test areas to control access to test
equipment or to apparatus under test that could become energized as
part of the testing by either direct or inductive coupling and to
prevent accidental employee contact with energized parts.
    (2) Permanent test areas. The employer shall guard permanent test
areas with walls, fences, or other barriers designed to keep employees
out of the test areas.
    (3) Temporary test areas. In field testing, or at a temporary test
site not guarded by permanent fences and gates, the employer shall
ensure the use of one of the following means to prevent employees
without authorization from entering:
    (i) Distinctively colored safety tape supported approximately waist
high with safety signs attached to it,
    (ii) 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) One or more test observers stationed so that they can monitor
the entire area.
    (4) Removal of safeguards. The employer shall ensure the removal of
the safeguards required by paragraph (c)(3) of this section when
employees no longer need the protection afforded by the safeguards.
    (d) Grounding practices. (1) Establish and implement practices. The
employer shall establish and implement safe grounding practices for the
test facility.
    (i) The employer shall maintain at ground potential all conductive
parts accessible to the test operator while the equipment is operating
at high voltage.
    (ii) Wherever ungrounded terminals of test equipment or apparatus
under test may be present, they shall be treated as energized until
tests demonstrate that they are deenergized.
    (2) Installation of grounds. The employer shall ensure either that
visible grounds are applied automatically, or that employees using
properly insulated tools manually apply visible grounds, to the high-
voltage circuits after they are deenergized and before any employee
performs work on the circuit or on the 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, the employer
shall provide an isolated ground-return conductor system designed to
prevent the intentional passage of current, with its attendant voltage
rise, from occurring in the ground grid or in the earth. However, the
employer need not provide an isolated ground-return conductor if the
employer can demonstrate that both of the following conditions exist:
    (i) The employer cannot provide an isolated ground-return conductor
due to the distance of the test site from the electric energy source,
and
    (ii) The employer protects employees from any hazardous step and
touch potentials that may develop during the test.

    Note to paragraph (d)(3)(ii): See Appendix C to this subpart for
information on measures that employers can take to protect employees
from hazardous step and touch potentials.

    (4) Equipment grounding conductors. For tests in which using the
equipment grounding conductor in the equipment power cord to ground the
test equipment would result in greater hazards to test personnel or
prevent the taking of satisfactory measurements, the employer may use a
ground clearly indicated in the test set-up if the employer can
demonstrate that this ground affords protection for employees
equivalent to the protection afforded by an equipment grounding
conductor in the power supply cord.
    (5) Grounding after tests. The employer shall ensure that, when any
employee enters the test area after equipment is deenergized, a ground
is placed on the high-voltage terminal and any other exposed terminals.
    (i) Before any employee applies a direct ground, the employer shall
discharge high capacitance equipment or apparatus through a resistor
rated for the available energy.
    (ii) A direct ground shall be applied to the exposed terminals
after the stored energy drops to a level at which it is safe to do so.
    (6) Grounding test vehicles. If the employer uses a test trailer or
test vehicle in field testing, its chassis shall be grounded. The
employer shall protect each employee against hazardous touch potentials
with respect to the vehicle, instrument panels, and other conductive
parts accessible to employees with bonding, insulation, or isolation.
    (e) Control and measuring circuits. (1) Control wiring. The
employer may not run control wiring, meter connections, test leads, or
cables from a test area unless contained in a grounded metallic sheath
and terminated in a grounded metallic enclosure or unless the employer
takes other precautions that it can demonstrate will provide employees
with equivalent safety.
    (2) Instruments. The employer shall isolate meters and other
instruments

with accessible terminals or parts from test personnel to protect
against hazards that could arise should such terminals and parts become
energized during testing. If the employer provides this isolation by
locating test equipment in metal compartments with viewing windows, the
employer shall provide interlocks to interrupt the power supply when
someone opens the compartment cover.
    (3) Routing temporary wiring. The employer shall protect temporary
wiring and its connections against damage, accidental interruptions,
and other hazards. To the maximum extent possible, the employer shall
keep signal, control, ground, and power cables separate from each
other.
    (4) Test observer. If any employee 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, at the
beginning of each series of tests, for a routine safety check of such
test areas.
    (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) Barriers and safeguards are in workable condition and placed
properly to isolate hazardous areas;
    (ii) System test status signals, if used, are in operable
condition;
    (iii) Clearly marked test-power disconnects are readily available
in an emergency;
    (iv) Ground connections are clearly identifiable;
    (v) Personal protective equipment is provided and used as required
by Subpart E of this part and by this subpart; and
    (vi) Proper separation between signal, ground, and power cables.

Sec.  1926.964  Overhead lines and live-line barehand work.

    (a) General. (1) Application. This section provides additional
requirements for work performed on or near overhead lines and equipment
and for live-line barehand work.
    (2) Checking structure before climbing. Before allowing employees
to subject elevated structures, such as poles or towers, 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 expected loads, the employer shall brace
or otherwise support the pole or structure so as to prevent failure.

    Note to paragraph (a)(2): Appendix D to this subpart contains
test methods that employers can use in ascertaining whether a wood
pole is capable of sustaining the forces imposed by an employee
climbing the pole. This paragraph also requires the employer to
ascertain that the pole can sustain all other forces imposed by the
work employees will perform.

    (3) Setting and moving poles. (i) When a pole is set, moved, or
removed near an exposed energized overhead conductor, the pole may not
contact the conductor.
    (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 used for placing
poles, the employer shall physically guard the holes, or ensure that
employees attend the holes, 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 (overhead lines).
    (1) Tension stringing method. When lines that employees are
installing or removing can contact energized parts, the employer shall
use the tension-stringing method, barriers, or other equivalent
measures to minimize the possibility that conductors and cables the
employees are installing or removing will contact energized power lines
or equipment.
    (2) Conductors, cables, and pulling and tensioning equipment. For
conductors, cables, and pulling and tensioning equipment, the employer
shall provide the protective measures required by Sec.  1926.959(d)(3)
when employees are installing or removing a conductor or cable close
enough to energized conductors that any of the following failures could
energize the pulling or tensioning equipment or the conductor or cable
being installed or removed:
    (i) Failure of the pulling or tensioning equipment,
    (ii) Failure of the conductor or cable being pulled, or
    (iii) Failure of the previously installed lines or equipment.
    (3) Disable automatic-reclosing feature. If the conductors that
employees are installing or removing cross over energized conductors in
excess of 600 volts and if the design of the circuit-interrupting
devices protecting the lines so permits, the employer shall render
inoperable the automatic-reclosing feature of these devices.
    (4) Induced voltage. (i) Before employees install lines 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.
    (ii) Unless the employer can demonstrate that the lines that
employees are installing are not subject to the induction of a
hazardous voltage or unless the lines are treated as energized,
temporary protective grounds shall be placed at such locations and
arranged in such a manner that the employer can demonstrate will
prevent exposure of each employee to hazardous differences in electric
potential.

    Note to paragraph (b)(4)(ii): Appendix C to this subpart
contains guidelines for protecting employees from hazardous
differences in electric potential as required by this paragraph.

    Note to paragraph (b)(4):  If the employer takes no precautions
to protect employees from hazards associated with involuntary
reactions from electric shock, a hazard exists if the induced
voltage is sufficient to pass a current of 1 milliampere through a
500-ohm resistor. If the employer protects employees from injury due
to involuntary reactions from electric shock, a hazard exists if the
resultant current would be more than 6 milliamperes.

    (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. The employer shall ensure that employees do not
exceed load ratings of stringing lines, pulling lines, conductor grips,
load-bearing hardware and accessories, rigging, and hoists.
    (7) Defective pulling lines. The employer shall repair or replace
defective pulling lines and accessories.
    (8) Conductor grips. The employer shall ensure that employees do
not use conductor grips on wire rope unless the manufacturer
specifically designed the grip for this application.
    (9) Communications. The employer shall ensure that employees
maintain reliable communications, through two-way radios or other
equivalent means, between the reel tender and the pulling-rig operator.
    (10) Operation of pulling rig. Employees may operate the pulling
rig only when it is safe to do so.

    Note to paragraph (b)(10): 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 a power-driven device
is pulling the conductor or pulling line and the conductor or pulling
line is in motion, the employer shall ensure that employees are not
directly under overhead operations or on the crossarm, except as
necessary for the employees to guide the stringing sock or board over
or through the stringing sheave.
    (c) Live-line barehand work. In addition to other applicable
provisions contained in this subpart, the following requirements apply
to live-line barehand work:
    (1) Training. Before an employee uses or supervises the use of the
live-line barehand technique on energized circuits, the employer shall
ensure that the employee completes training conforming to Sec.
1926.950(b) in the technique and in the safety requirements of
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (2) Existing conditions. Before any employee uses the live-line
barehand technique on energized high-voltage conductors or parts, the
employer shall ascertain the following information in addition to
information about other existing conditions required by Sec.
1926.950(d):
    (i) The nominal voltage rating of the circuit on which employees
will perform the work,
    (ii) The clearances to ground of lines and other energized parts on
which employees will perform the work, and
    (iii) The voltage limitations of equipment employees will use.
    (3) Insulated tools and equipment. (i) The employer shall ensure
that the insulated equipment, insulated tools, and aerial devices and
platforms used by employees are designed, tested, and made for live-
line barehand work.
    (ii) The employer shall ensure that employees keep tools and
equipment clean and dry while they are in use.
    (4) Disable automatic-reclosing feature. The employer shall render
inoperable the automatic-reclosing feature of circuit-interrupting
devices protecting the lines if the design of the devices permits.
    (5) Adverse weather conditions. The employer shall ensure that
employees do not perform work when adverse weather conditions would
make the work hazardous even after the employer implements the work
practices required by this subpart. Additionally, employees may not
perform work when winds reduce the phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground
clearances at the work location below the minimum approach distances
specified in paragraph (c)(13) of this section, unless insulating
guards cover the grounded objects and other lines and equipment.

    Note to paragraph (c)(5):  Thunderstorms in the vicinity, high
winds, snow storms, and ice storms are examples of adverse weather
conditions that make live-line barehand work too hazardous to
perform safely even after the employer implements the work practices
required by this subpart.

    (6) Bucket liners and electrostatic shielding. The employer shall
provide and ensure that employees use a conductive bucket liner or
other conductive device for bonding the insulated aerial device to the
energized line or equipment.
    (i) The employee shall be connected to the bucket liner or other
conductive device by the use of conductive shoes, leg clips, or other
means.
    (ii) Where differences in potentials at the worksite pose a hazard
to employees, the employer shall provide electrostatic shielding
designed for the voltage being worked.
    (7) Bonding the employee to the energized part. The employer shall
ensure that, before the employee contacts the energized part, the
employee bonds the conductive bucket liner or other conductive device
to the energized conductor by means of a positive connection. This
connection shall remain attached to the energized conductor until the
employee completes the work on the energized circuit.
    (8) Aerial-lift controls. Aerial lifts used for live-line barehand
work shall have dual controls (lower and upper) as follows:
    (i) The upper controls shall be within easy reach of the employee
in the bucket. On a two-bucket-type lift, access to the controls shall
be within easy reach of both buckets.
    (ii) The lower set of controls shall be near the base of the boom
and shall be designed so that they can override operation of the
equipment at any time.
    (9) Operation of lower controls. Lower (ground-level) lift controls
may not be operated with an employee in the lift except in case of
emergency.
    (10) Check controls. The employer shall ensure that, before
employees elevate an aerial lift into the work position, the employees
check all controls (ground level and bucket) to determine that they are
in proper working condition.
    (11) Body of aerial lift truck. The employer shall ensure that,
before employees elevate the boom of an aerial lift, the employees
ground the body of the truck or barricade the body of the truck and
treat it as energized.
    (12) Boom-current test. The employer shall ensure that employees
perform a boom-current test before starting work each day, each time
during the day when they encounter a higher voltage, and when changed
conditions indicate a need for an additional test.
    (i) This test shall consist of placing the bucket in contact with
an energized source equal to the voltage to be encountered for a
minimum of 3 minutes.
    (ii) The leakage current may not exceed 1 microampere per kilovolt
of nominal phase-to-ground voltage.
    (iii) The employer shall immediately suspend work from the aerial
lift when there is any indication of a malfunction in the equipment.
    (13) Minimum approach distance. The employer shall ensure that
employees maintain the minimum approach distances, established by the
employer under Sec.  1926.960(c)(1)(i), from all grounded objects and
from lines and equipment at a potential different from that to which
the live-line barehand equipment is bonded, unless insulating guards
cover such grounded objects and other lines and equipment.
    (14) Approaching, leaving, and bonding to energized part. The
employer shall ensure that, while an employee is approaching, leaving,
or bonding to an energized circuit, the employee maintains the minimum
approach distances, established by the employer under Sec.
1926.960(c)(1)(i), between the employee and any grounded parts,
including the lower boom and portions of the truck and between the
employee and conductive objects energized at different potentials.
    (15) Positioning bucket near energized bushing or insulator string.
While the bucket is alongside an energized bushing or insulator string,
the employer shall ensure that employees maintain the phase-to-ground
minimum approach distances, established by the employer under Sec.
1926.960(c)(1)(i), between all parts of the bucket and the grounded end
of the bushing or insulator string or any other grounded surface.
    (16) Handlines. The employer shall ensure that employees do not use
handlines between the bucket and the boom or between the bucket and the
ground. However, employees may use nonconductive-type handlines from
conductor to ground if not supported from the bucket. The employer
shall ensure that no one uses ropes used for live-line barehand work
for other purposes.

    (17) Passing objects to employee. The employer shall ensure that
employees do not pass uninsulated equipment or material between a pole
or structure and an aerial lift while an employee working from the
bucket is bonded to an energized part.
    (18) Nonconductive measuring device. A nonconductive measuring
device shall be readily accessible to employees performing live-line
barehand work to assist them in maintaining the required minimum
approach distance.
    (d) Towers and structures. The following requirements apply to work
performed on towers or other structures that support overhead lines.
    (1) Working beneath towers and structures. The employer shall
ensure that no employee is under a tower or structure while work is in
progress, except when the employer can demonstrate that such a working
position is necessary to assist employees working above.
    (2) Tag lines. The employer shall ensure that employees use tag
lines or other similar devices to maintain control of tower sections
being raised or positioned, unless the employer can demonstrate that
the use of such devices would create a greater hazard to employees.
    (3) Disconnecting load lines. The employer shall ensure that
employees do not detach the loadline from a member or section until
they safely secure the load.
    (4) Adverse weather conditions. The employer shall ensure that,
except during emergency restoration procedures, employees discontinue
work when adverse weather conditions would make the work hazardous in
spite of the work practices required by this subpart.

    Note to paragraph (d)(4): Thunderstorms in the vicinity, high
winds, snow storms, and ice storms are examples of adverse weather
conditions that make this work too hazardous to perform even after
the employer implements the work practices required by this subpart.

Sec.  1926.965  Underground electrical installations.

    (a) Application. This section provides additional requirements for
work on underground electrical installations.
    (b) Access. The employer shall ensure that employees use a ladder
or other climbing device to enter and exit a manhole or subsurface
vault exceeding 1.22 meters (4 feet) in depth. No employee may climb
into or out of a manhole or vault by stepping on cables or hangers.
    (c) Lowering equipment into manholes. (1) Hoisting equipment.
Equipment used to lower materials and tools into manholes or vaults
shall be capable of supporting the weight to be lowered and shall be
checked for defects before use.
    (2) Clear the area of employees. Before anyone lowers tools or
material into the opening for a manhole or vault, each employee working
in the manhole or vault shall be clear of the area directly under the
opening.
    (d) Attendants for manholes and vaults. (1) When required. While
work is being performed in a manhole or vault containing energized
electric equipment, an employee with first-aid training shall be
available on the surface in the immediate vicinity of the manhole or
vault entrance to render emergency assistance.
    (2) Brief entries allowed. Occasionally, the employee on the
surface may briefly enter a manhole or vault to provide nonemergency
assistance.

    Note 1 to paragraph (d)(2): Paragraph (h) of 1926.953 may also
require an attendant and does not permit this attendant to enter the
manhole or vault.

    Note 2 to paragraph (d)(2): Paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of Sec.
1926.960 requires employees entering manholes or vaults containing
unguarded, uninsulated energized lines or parts of electric
equipment operating at 50 volts or more to be qualified.

    (3) Entry without attendant. For the purpose of inspection,
housekeeping, taking readings, or similar work, an employee working
alone may enter, for brief periods of time, a manhole or vault where
energized cables or equipment are in service if the employer can
demonstrate that the employee will be protected from all electrical
hazards.
    (4) Communications. The employer shall ensure that employees
maintain reliable communications, through two-way radios or other
equivalent means, among all employees involved in the job.
    (e) Duct rods. The employer shall ensure that, if employees use
duct rods, the employees install the duct rods in the direction
presenting the least hazard to employees. The employer shall station an
employee at the far end of the duct line being rodded to ensure that
the employees maintain the required minimum approach distances.
    (f) Multiple cables. When multiple cables are present in a work
area, the employer shall identify the cable to be worked by electrical
means, unless its identity is obvious by reason of distinctive
appearance or location or by other readily apparent means of
identification. The employer shall protect cables other than the one
being worked from damage.
    (g) Moving cables. Except when paragraph (h)(2) of this section
permits employees to perform work that could cause a fault in an
energized cable in a manhole or vault, the employer shall ensure that
employees inspect energized cables to be moved for abnormalities.
    (h) Protection against faults. (1) Cables with abnormalities. Where
a cable in a manhole or vault has one or more abnormalities that could
lead to a fault or be an indication of an impending fault, the employer
shall deenergize the cable with the abnormality before any employee may
work in the manhole or vault, except when service-load conditions and a
lack of feasible alternatives require that the cable remain energized.
In that case, employees may enter the manhole or vault provided the
employer protects them from the possible effects of a failure using
shields or other devices that are capable of containing the adverse
effects of a fault. The employer shall treat the following
abnormalities as indications of impending faults unless the employer
can demonstrate that the conditions could not lead to a fault: Oil or
compound leaking from cable or joints, broken cable sheaths or joint
sleeves, hot localized surface temperatures of cables or joints, or
joints swollen beyond normal tolerance.
    (2) Work-related faults. If the work employees will perform in a
manhole or vault could cause a fault in a cable, the employer shall
deenergize that cable before any employee works in the manhole or
vault, except when service-load conditions and a lack of feasible
alternatives require that the cable remain energized. In that case,
employees may enter the manhole or vault provided the employer protects
them from the possible effects of a failure using shields or other
devices that are capable of containing the adverse effects of a fault.
    (i) Sheath continuity. When employees perform work on buried cable
or on cable in a manhole or vault, the employer shall maintain
metallic-sheath continuity, or the cable sheath shall be treated as
energized.

Sec.  1926.966  Substations.

    (a) Application. This section provides additional requirements for
substations and for work performed in them.
    (b) Access and working space. The employer shall provide and
maintain sufficient access and working space about electric equipment
to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment by
employees.

    Note to paragraph (b): American National Standard National
Electrical Safety Code, ANSI/IEEE C2-2012 contains guidelines for
the dimensions of access and working space about electric equipment
in substations. Installations meeting the ANSI provisions comply
with paragraph (b) of this section. The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration will determine whether an installation that
does not conform to this ANSI standard complies with paragraph (b)
of this section based on the following criteria:
    (1) Whether the installation conforms to the edition of ANSI C2
that was in effect when the installation was made;
    (2) Whether the configuration of the installation enables
employees to maintain the minimum approach distances, established by
the employer under Sec.  1926.960(c)(1)(i), while the employees are
working on exposed, energized parts; and
    (3) Whether the precautions taken when employees perform work on
the installation provide protection equivalent to the protection
provided by access and working space meeting ANSI/IEEE C2-2012.

    (c) Draw-out-type circuit breakers. The employer shall ensure that,
when employees remove or insert draw-out-type circuit breakers, the
breaker is in the open position. The employer shall also render the
control circuit inoperable if the design of the equipment permits.
    (d) Substation fences. Conductive fences around substations shall
be grounded. When a substation fence is expanded or a section is
removed, fence sections shall be isolated, grounded, or bonded as
necessary to protect employees from hazardous differences in electric
potential.

    Note to paragraph (d): IEEE Std 80-2000, IEEE Guide for Safety
in AC Substation Grounding, contains guidelines for protection
against hazardous differences in electric potential.

    (e) Guarding of rooms and other spaces containing electric supply
equipment. (1) When to guard rooms and other spaces. Rooms and other
spaces in which electric supply lines or equipment are installed shall
meet the requirements of paragraphs (e)(2) through (e)(5) of this
section under the following conditions:
    (i) If exposed live parts operating at 50 to 150 volts to ground
are within 2.4 meters (8 feet) of the ground or other working surface
inside the room or other space,
    (ii) If live parts operating at 151 to 600 volts to ground and
located within 2.4 meters (8 feet) of the ground or other working
surface inside the room or other space are guarded only by location, as
permitted under paragraph (f)(1) of this section, or
    (iii) If live parts operating at more than 600 volts to ground are
within the room or other space, unless:
    (A) The live parts are enclosed within grounded, metal-enclosed
equipment whose only openings are designed so that foreign objects
inserted in these openings will be deflected from energized parts, or
    (B) The live parts are installed at a height, above ground and any
other working surface, that provides protection at the voltage on the
live parts corresponding to the protection provided by a 2.4-meter (8-
foot) height at 50 volts.
    (2) Prevent access by unqualified persons. Fences, screens,
partitions, or walls shall enclose the rooms and other spaces so as to
minimize the possibility that unqualified persons will enter.
    (3) Restricted entry. Unqualified persons may not enter the rooms
or other spaces while the electric supply lines or equipment are
energized.
    (4) Warning signs. The employer shall display signs at entrances to
the rooms and other spaces warning unqualified persons to keep out.
    (5) Entrances to rooms and other. The employer shall keep each
entrance to a room or other space locked, unless the entrance is under
the observation of a person who is attending the room or other space
for the purpose of preventing unqualified employees from entering.
    (f) Guarding of energized parts. (1) Type of guarding. The employer
shall provide guards around all live parts operating at more than 150
volts to ground without an insulating covering unless the location of
the live parts gives sufficient clearance (horizontal, vertical, or
both) to minimize the possibility of accidental employee contact.

    Note to paragraph (f)(1): American National Standard National
Electrical Safety Code, ANSI/IEEE C2-2002 contains guidelines for
the dimensions of clearance distances about electric equipment in
substations. Installations meeting the ANSI provisions comply with
paragraph (f)(1) of this section. The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration will determine whether an installation that does not
conform to this ANSI standard complies with paragraph (f)(1) of this
section based on the following criteria:
    (1) Whether the installation conforms to the edition of ANSI C2
that was in effect when the installation was made;
    (2) Whether each employee is isolated from energized parts at
the point of closest approach; and
    (3) Whether the precautions taken when employees perform work on
the installation provide protection equivalent to the protection
provided by horizontal and vertical clearances meeting ANSI/IEEE C2-
2002.

    (2) Maintaining guards during operation. Except for fuse
replacement and other necessary access by qualified persons, the
employer shall maintain guarding of energized parts within a
compartment during operation and maintenance functions to prevent
accidental contact with energized parts and to prevent dropped tools or
other equipment from contacting energized parts.
    (3) Temporary removal of guards. Before guards are removed from
energized equipment, the employer shall install barriers around the
work area to prevent employees who are not working on the equipment,
but who are in the area, from contacting the exposed live parts.
    (g) Substation entry. (1) Report upon entering. Upon entering an
attended substation, each employee, other than employees regularly
working in the station, shall report his or her presence to the
employee in charge of substation activities to receive information on
special system conditions affecting employee safety.
    (2) Job briefing. The job briefing required by Sec.  1926.952 shall
cover information on special system conditions affecting employee
safety, including the location of energized equipment in or adjacent to
the work area and the limits of any deenergized work area.

Sec.  1926.967  Special conditions.

    (a) Capacitors. The following additional requirements apply to work
on capacitors and on lines connected to capacitors.

    Note to paragraph (a): See Sec. Sec.  1926.961 and 1926.962 for
requirements pertaining to the deenergizing and grounding of
capacitor installations.

    (1) Disconnect from energized source. Before employees work on
capacitors, the employer shall disconnect the capacitors from energized
sources and short circuit the capacitors. The employer shall ensure
that the employee short circuiting the capacitors waits at least 5
minutes from the time of disconnection before applying the short
circuit,
    (2) Short circuiting units. Before employees handle the units, the
employer shall short circuit each unit in series-parallel capacitor
banks between all terminals and the capacitor case or its rack. If the
cases of capacitors are on ungrounded substation racks, the employer
shall bond the racks to ground.
    (3) Short circuiting connected lines. The employer shall short
circuit any line connected to capacitors before the line is treated as
deenergized.
    (b) Current transformer secondaries. The employer shall ensure that

employees do not open the secondary of a current transformer while the
transformer is energized. If the employer cannot deenergize the primary
of the current transformer before employees perform work on an
instrument, a relay, or other section of a current transformer
secondary circuit, the employer shall bridge the circuit so that the
current transformer secondary does not experience an open-circuit
condition.
    (c) Series streetlighting. (1) Applicable requirements. If the
open-circuit voltage exceeds 600 volts, the employer shall ensure that
employees work on series streetlighting circuits in accordance with
Sec.  1926.964 or Sec.  1926.965, as appropriate.
    (2) Opening a series loop. Before any employee opens a series loop,
the employer shall deenergize the streetlighting transformer and
isolate it from the source of supply or shall bridge the loop to avoid
an open-circuit condition.
    (d) Illumination. The employer shall provide sufficient
illumination to enable the employee to perform the work safely.

    Note to paragraph (d): See Sec.  1926.56, which requires
specific levels of illumination.

    (e) Protection against drowning. (1) Personal flotation devices.
Whenever an employee may be pulled or pushed, or might fall, into water
where the danger of drowning exists, the employer shall provide the
employee with, and shall ensure that the employee uses, a personal
flotation device meeting Sec.  1926.106.
    (2) Maintaining flotation devices in safe condition. The employer
shall maintain each personal flotation device in safe condition and
shall inspect each personal flotation device frequently enough to
ensure that it does not have rot, mildew, water saturation, or any
other condition that could render the device unsuitable for use.
    (3) Crossing bodies of water. An employee may cross streams or
other bodies of water only if a safe means of passage, such as a
bridge, is available.
    (f) Excavations. Excavation operations shall comply with Subpart P
of this part.
    (g) Employee protection in public work areas. (1) Traffic control
devices. Traffic-control signs and traffic-control devices used for the
protection of employees shall meet Sec.  1926.200(g)(2).
    (2) Controlling traffic. Before employees begin work in the
vicinity of vehicular or pedestrian traffic that may endanger them, the
employer shall place warning signs or flags and other traffic-control
devices in conspicuous locations to alert and channel approaching
traffic.
    (3) Barricades. The employer shall use barricades where additional
employee protection is necessary.
    (4) Excavated areas. The employer shall protect excavated areas
with barricades.
    (5) Warning lights. The employer shall display warning lights
prominently at night.
    (h) Backfeed. When there is a possibility of voltage backfeed from
sources of cogeneration or from the secondary system (for example,
backfeed from more than one energized phase feeding a common load), the
requirements of Sec.  1926.960 apply if employees will work the lines
or equipment as energized, and the requirements of Sec. Sec.  1926.961
and 1926.962 apply if employees will work the lines or equipment as
deenergized.
    (i) Lasers. The employer shall install, adjust, and operate laser
equipment in accordance with Sec.  1926.54.
    (j) Hydraulic fluids. Hydraulic fluids used for the insulated
sections of equipment shall provide insulation for the voltage
involved.
    (k) Communication facilities. (1) Microwave transmission. (i) The
employer shall ensure that no employee looks into an open waveguide or
antenna connected to an energized microwave source.
    (ii) If the electromagnetic-radiation level within an accessible
area associated with microwave communications systems exceeds the
radiation-protection guide specified by Sec.  1910.97(a)(2) of this
chapter, the employer shall post the area with warning signs containing
the warning symbol described in Sec.  1910.97(a)(3) of this chapter.
The lower half of the warning symbol shall include the following
statements, or ones that the employer can demonstrate are equivalent:
``Radiation in this area may exceed hazard limitations and special
precautions are required. Obtain specific instruction before
entering.''
    (iii) When an employee works in an area where the electromagnetic
radiation could exceed the radiation-protection guide, the employer
shall institute measures that ensure that the employee's exposure is
not greater than that permitted by that guide. Such measures may
include administrative and engineering controls and personal protective
equipment.
    (2) Power-line carrier. The employer shall ensure that employees
perform power-line carrier work, including work on equipment used for
coupling carrier current to power line conductors, in accordance with
the requirements of this subpart pertaining to work on energized lines.

Sec.  1926.968  Definitions.

    Attendant. An employee assigned to remain immediately outside the
entrance to an enclosed or other space to render assistance as needed
to employees inside the space.
    Automatic circuit recloser. A self-controlled device for
automatically interrupting and reclosing an alternating-current
circuit, with a predetermined sequence of opening and reclosing
followed by resetting, hold closed, or lockout.
    Barricade. A physical obstruction such as tapes, cones, or A-frame
type wood or metal structures that provides a warning about, and limits
access to, a hazardous area.
    Barrier. A physical obstruction that prevents contact with
energized lines or equipment or prevents unauthorized access to a work
area.
    Bond. The electrical interconnection of conductive parts designed
to maintain a common electric potential.
    Bus. A conductor or a group of conductors that serve as a common
connection for two or more circuits.
    Bushing. An insulating structure that includes a through conductor
or that provides a passageway for such a conductor, and that, when