Electrical Workers Chapter 296-45 WAC Effective 04/01/2007

For printing

WAC

296-45-005 Electrical workers safety rules-Foreword.

296-45-015 Scope and Application.

296-45-025 Variances.

296-45-035 Definitions.

296-45-045 NESC applicable.

296-45-055 Employer's responsibility.

296-45-065 Training.

296-45-075 Employer's safety program.

296-45-085 Leadworker's responsibility.

296-45-095 Leadworker-employee responsibility.

296-45-105 Work required of leadworkers.

296-45-115 Employee's responsibility.

296-45-125 Medical services and first aid.

296-45-135 Job briefing.

296-45-175 Hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout) procedures.

296-45-17505 Lockout/tagout (hazardous control) program.

296-45-17510 Retraining.

296-45-17515 Protective materials and hardware.

296-45-17520 Energy isolation.

296-45-17525 Notification.

296-45-17530 Lockout/tagout application.

296-45-17535 Releasing stored energy.

296-45-17540 Release from lockout/tagout.

296-45-17545 Temporary removal of lockout/tagout.

296-45-17550 Group lockout/tagout.

296-45-17555 Shift changes.

296-45-17560 Outside servicing personnel.

296-45-17565 Central system operator.

296-45-195 Trenching and excavation.

296-45-205 Enclosed spaces.

296-45-215 Underground electrical installations.

296-45-225 Underground residential distribution (URD).

296-45-255 Protective equipment.

296-45-25505 Personal protective equipment.

296-45-25510 Fall protection.

296-45-275 Ladders, platforms, and manhole steps.

296-45-285 Hand, and portable powered tools.

296-45-295 Gasoline engine power chain saws.

296-45-305 Live-line tools.

296-45-315 Material handling and storage.

296-45-325 Working on or near exposed energized parts.

296-45-335 De-energizing lines and equipment for employee protection.

296-45-345 Grounding for the protection of employees.

296-45-355 Underground grounding.

296-45-365 Testing and test facilities.

296-45-375 Mechanical equipment, including aerial manlift equipment.

296-45-385 Overhead lines.

296-45-455 Line-clearance tree-trimming operations.

296-45-45505 Brush chippers.

296-45-45510 Sprayers and related equipment.

296-45-45515 Stump cutters.

296-45-45520 Backpack power units for use in pruning and clearing.

296-45-45525 Rope.

296-45-45530 Fall protection.

296-45-465 Communication facilities.

296-45-475 Substations.

296-45-485 Power generation.

296-45-48505 Interlock and other safety devices.

296-45-48510 Changing brushes.

296-45-48515 Access and working space.

296-45-48520 Guarding of rooms containing electric supply equipment.

296-45-48525 Guarding of energized parts.

296-45-48530 Water or steam spaces.

296-45-48535 Chemical cleaning of boilers and pressure vessels.

296-45-48540 Chlorine systems.

296-45-48545 Boilers.

296-45-48550 Turbine generators.

296-45-48555 Coal and ash handling.

296-45-48560 Hydroplants and equipment.

296-45-525 Special conditions.

296-45-52505 Capacitors.

296-45-52510 Current transformer secondaries.

296-45-52515 Series streetlighting.

296-45-52520 Illumination.

296-45-52525 Protection against drowning.

296-45-52530 Employee protection in public work areas.

296-45-52535 Backfeed.

296-45-52540 Lasers.

296-45-52545 Hydraulic fluids.

296-45-52550 Foreign attachments and placards.

296-45-545 Trolley maintenance, jumpering or bypassing.

296-45-675 Rotorcraft/helicopter for power distribution and transmission line installation, construction and repair-Scope.

296-45-67503 Definitions.

296-45-67505 Briefing.

296-45-67507 Signals.

296-45-67509 Slings and tag lines.

296-45-67511 Cargo hooks.

296-45-67513 Personal protective equipment.

296-45-67515 Wearing apparel.

296-45-67517 Loose gear and objects.

296-45-67519 Housekeeping.

296-45-67521 Operator's responsibility.

296-45-67523 Hooking and unhooking loads.

296-45-67525 Static charge.

296-45-67527 Load permitted.

296-45-67529 Visibility.

296-45-67531 Signal systems.

296-45-67533 Approaching the helicopter.

296-45-67535 In helicopter.

296-45-67537 Sling and rigging.

296-45-67539 Personnel.

296-45-67541 Fires.

296-45-67543 General.

296-45-67545 Refueling operations.

296-45-900 Appendices. Nonmandatory

296-45-901 Appendix A-Nonmandatory.

296-45-903 Appendix B-Protection from step and touch Potentials-Nonmandatory.

296-45-905 Appendix C-Methods of inspecting and testing wood poles-Nonmandatory

WAC 296-45-005 Electrical workers safety rules-Foreword.

The purpose of this chapter is to make the workplace of electrical employees as free from recognized hazards as reasonably possible. Following these rules may sometimes require that employee safety receive a higher priority than speed and work performance. These rules exist to provide employee safety, so employees are expected, in good faith, to follow the provisions of this chapter. This chapter is not intended to be a complete job description nor is it expected that the chapter covers every hazard that an employee may encounter. When a hazard exists that is not covered by this chapter, the leadworker and employees are expected, in good faith, to mutually discuss the hazard and agree how to perform the work with the greatest degree of safety.

The department of labor and industries is the sole and paramount administrative agency responsible for the administration and interpretation of this chapter and the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act of 1973. If there exists a question as to the meaning of any provision of this chapter, such question must first be directed to the department of labor and industries and its authorized representatives.

Experience has proven that the majority of injuries and deaths are preventable. Most injuries and deaths are not due to defective equipment but are due to failure on the part of the employees and those in authority to observe safety rules and failure to use safety devices. In the last analysis, this chapter is a compilation of experience and common sense. Electrical safety requires that the work be properly planned, executed by the use of good judgment and under the direction of intelligent supervision.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-005, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-015 Scope and application.

(1) This chapter covers the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment. These provisions apply to:

(a) Power generation, transmission, and distribution installations, including related equipment for the purpose of communication or metering, which are accessible only to qualified employees;

Note: The types of installations covered by this chapter include the generation, transmission, and distribution installations of electric utilities, as well as equivalent installations of industrial establishments. Trolley maintenance, jumpering, and bypass is also covered by this chapter. Supplementary electric generating equipment that is used to supply a workplace for emergency, standby, or similar purposes only is covered under Part L of chapter 296-24 WAC and WAC 296-800-280.

(b) Other installations at an electric power generating station, as follows:

(i) Fuel and ash handling and processing installations, such as coal conveyors;

(ii) Water and steam installations, such as penstocks, pipelines, and tanks, providing a source of energy for electric generators; and

(iii) Chlorine and hydrogen systems.

(c) Test sites where electrical testing involving temporary measurements associated with electric power generation, transmission, and distribution is performed in laboratories, in the field, in substations, and on lines, as opposed to metering, relaying, and routine line work;

(d) Work on or directly associated with the installations covered in subsections (1)(a) through (c) of this section; and

(e) Line-clearance tree-trimming operations, as follows:

(i) This chapter except WAC 296-45-455, applies to line-clearance tree-trimming operations performed by qualified employees (those who are knowledgeable in the construction and operation of electric power generation, transmission, or distribution equipment involved, along with the associated hazards).

(ii) WAC 296-45-065, 296-45-125, 296-45-135, 296-45-255, 296-45-315, 296-45-375, and 296-45-455 through 296-45-45530 apply to line-clearance tree-trimming operations performed by line-clearance tree trimmers who are not qualified employees.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, this chapter does not apply to electrical installations, electrical safety-related work practices, or electrical maintenance considerations covered by Part L of chapter 296-24 WAC and WAC 296-800-280.

Note 1: Work practices conforming to WAC 296-24-970 through 296-24-985 are considered as complying with the electrical safety-related work practice requirements of this chapter, provided the work is being performed on a generation or distribution installation meeting WAC 296-24-95601 through 296-24-95699. This chapter also applies to work by qualified persons directly on or associated with installations of electric power generation, transmission, and distribution lines or equipment, regardless of compliance with WAC 296-24-970 through 296-24-985.

Note 2: Work practices performed by qualified persons and conforming to this chapter are considered as complying with WAC 296-24-95601 through 296-24-95699.

(3) This section applies in addition to all other applicable safety and health standards administered by the department. Specific references in this section to other standards are provided for emphasis only.

(4) Operation, conditions, work methods and other work related situations or activities not specifically covered by this chapter are subject to the rules and regulations of chapter 296-24 WAC, General safety and health standards; chapter 296-62 WAC, General occupational health standards; chapter 296-155 WAC, Safety standards for construction work; chapter 296-800 WAC, safety and health core rules; and, insofar as applicable to employee safety and health, chapter 19.29 RCW. Additionally, operations, conditions, work methods and other work related situations or activities may be subject to additional rules and regulations depending upon the nature of the work being performed.

(5) These rules shall not apply to the use of existing electrical installations during their lifetime, provided they are maintained in good condition and in accordance with the applicable safety factor requirements and the rules in effect at the time they were installed, and provided that reconstruction shall conform to the rules as herein provided.

(6) Any rule, regulation or standard contained within this chapter, if subject to interpretation, shall be interpreted so as to achieve employee safety, which is the ultimate purpose of this chapter.

(7) Should a rule or standard contained within this chapter conflict, in any manner, with a standard or rule contained within any other chapter of Title 296 WAC the standard or rule contained herein shall apply so long as the work being done is power generation, transmission, and distribution installations, including related equipment for the purpose of communication or metering, which are accessible only to qualified employees. If there are rules within this chapter that conflict, the rule that provides the greatest employee safety will apply.

(8) Neither the promulgation of these rules, nor anything contained in these rules shall be construed as affecting the relative status or civil rights or liabilities between employers and their employees and/or the employees of others and/or the public generally; nor shall the use herein of the words “duty” and “responsibility” or either, import or imply liability other than provided for in the industrial insurance and safety laws of the state of Washington, to any person for injuries due to negligence predicated upon failure to perform or discharge any such “duty” or “responsibility,” but failure on the part of the employees, leadworker, or employer to comply with any compulsory rule may be cause for the department of labor and industries to take action in accordance with the industrial insurance and safety laws.

(9) “Shall” and “must” as used in this chapter make the provisions mandatory. “Should,” “may,” or “it is recommended” are used to indicate the provisions are not mandatory but are recommended.

(10) If any section, subsection, phrase, or provisions of this chapter or part thereof should be held invalid by any court for any reason, such invalidity shall not in any way affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter, unless such decision renders the remainder of the provision unintelligible, or changes the meaning of such other provision or provisions.

(11) When the language used in this chapter indicates that it is the responsibility, duty, or obligation of the leadworker or other employee, it shall also be the employer's responsibility, obligation, and duty.

Whenever this chapter refers to the provisions of another safety and health standard or statute affecting safety and health, such reference refers to the statute or code in effect at the time the work is being performed.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 01-11-038 (Order 99-36), § 296-45-015, filed 05/09/01, effective 09/01/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 99-09-080 (Order 99-04, § 296-45-015, filed 04/20/99, effective 08/01/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-015, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-025 Variances. 

Under certain circumstances, an employer may obtain a variance from the director of the department of labor and industries or an authorized representative. Until such time as a variance is granted, the employer and employees must comply with the mandatory provisions of this chapter. The procedure and requirements for variances are found in chapter 296-900 WAC, Administrative rules.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 07-03-163 (Order 06-30), § 296-45-025, filed 01/24/07, effective 04/01/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-025, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-035 Definitions. 

These definitions apply to chapter 296-45 WAC.

“Aerial manlift equipment” - Equipment such as extended towers, boom-mounted cages or baskets, and truck-mounted ladders, that is primarily designed to place personnel and equipment aloft to work on elevated structures and equipment.

“Affected employee” - An employee whose job requires him or her to operate or use a machine or equipment on which servicing or maintenance is being performed under lockout or tagout, or whose job requires him or her to work in an area in which such servicing or maintenance is being performed.

“Apprentice” - An employee who is being trained to be journey level.

“Approved” - Meets or exceeds the recognized standards of safety within the industry.

“Approved protectors” - Gloves worn over rubber insulating gloves which are of such material or substance and so constructed as to protect the rubber gloves from abrasions, lacerations, or other physical damage which might otherwise occur to rubber gloves. Approved protectors must conform to the standards which are recognized by the industry.

“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.

“Authorized employee” An employee who locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance on that machine or equipment. An affected employee becomes an authorized employee when that employee's duties include performing servicing or maintenance covered under this section.

“Automatic circuit recloser” - A self-controlled device for interrupting and reclosing an alternating current circuit with a predetermined sequence of opening and reclosing followed by resetting, hold-closed, or lockout operation.

“Barricade” - A physical obstruction such as tapes, cones, or A-frame type wood or metal structures intended to provide a warning about and to limit access to a hazardous area.

“Barrier” - A physical obstruction which is intended to prevent contact with energized lines or equipment or to prevent unauthorized access to a work area.

“Bond” - The electrical interconnection of conductive parts designed to maintain a common electrical potential.

“Bus” - A conductor or a group of conductors that serve as a common connection for two or more circuits.

“Bushing” - An insulating structure, including a through conductor or providing a passageway for such a conductor, with provision for mounting on a barrier, conducting or otherwise, for the purposes of insulating the conductor from the barrier and conducting current from one side of the barrier to the other.

“Cable” - A conductor with insulation, or a stranded conductor with or without insulation and other coverings (single-conductor cable), or a combination of conductors insulated from one another (multiple-conductor cable).

“Cable sheath” - A conductive protective covering applied to cables.

Note: A cable sheath may consist of multiple layers of which one or more is conductive.

“Circuit” - A conductor or system of conductors through which an electric current is intended to flow.

“Clearance” (between objects) - The clear distance between two objects measured surface to surface.

“Clearance” (for work) - Authorization to perform specified work or permission to enter a restricted area.

“Communication lines.” (See “Lines, communication.”)

“Conductor” - A material, usually in the form of a wire, cable, or bus bar, used for carrying an electric current.

“Covered conductor” - A conductor covered with a dielectric having no rated insulating strength or having a rated insulating strength less than the voltage of the circuit in which the conductor is used.

“Current-carrying part” - A conducting part intended to be connected in an electric circuit to a source of voltage. Noncurrent-carrying parts are those not intended to be so connected.

“De-energized” - Free from any electrical connection to a source of potential difference and from electric charge; not having a potential difference from that of the earth.

Note: The term is used only with reference to current-carrying parts, which are sometimes energized (alive).

“Designated employee/person” - An employee/person who is designated by the employer to perform specific duties under the terms of this section and who is knowledgeable in the construction and operation of the equipment and the hazards involved.

“Electric line truck” - Any vehicle used to transport employees, tools, and material, which serves as a traveling workshop for electric power line construction and maintenance work. It may be equipped with a boom and auxiliary equipment for setting poles, digging holes, and elevating material and/or workers.

“Electric supply equipment” - Equipment that produces, modifies, regulates, controls, or safeguards a supply of electric energy.

“Electric supply lines.” (See “Lines, electric supply.”)

“Electric utility” - An organization responsible for the installation, operation, or maintenance of an electric supply system.

“Emergency” - An unforeseen occurrence endangering life, limb, or property.

“Enclosed” - Surrounded by a case, cage, fence or otherwise which will protect the contained equipment and prevent accidental contact of a person with live parts.

“Enclosed space” - A working space, such as a manhole, vault, tunnel, or shaft, that has a limited means of egress or entry, that is designed for periodic employee entry under normal operating conditions, and that under normal conditions does not contain a hazardous atmosphere, but that may contain a hazardous atmosphere under abnormal conditions.

Note: Spaces that are enclosed but not designed for employee entry under normal operating conditions are not considered to be enclosed spaces for the purposes of this section. Similarly, spaces that are enclosed and that are expected to contain a hazardous atmosphere are not considered to be enclosed spaces for the purposes of this section. Such spaces meet the definition of permit spaces in WAC 296-62-145, and entry into them must be performed in accordance with that standard.

“Energized” (alive, live) - Electrically connected to a source of potential difference, or electrically charged so as to have a potential significantly different from that of earth in the vicinity.

“Energy isolating device” - A physical device that prevents the transmission or release of energy, including, but not limited to, the following: A manually operated electric circuit breaker, a disconnect switch, a manually operated switch, a slide gate, a slip blind, a line valve, blocks, and any similar device with a visible indication of the position of the device. (Push buttons, selector switches, and other control-circuit-type devices are not energy isolating devices.)

“Energy source” - Any electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, nuclear, thermal, or other energy source that could cause injury to personnel.

“Equipment” (electric) - A general term including material, fittings, devices, appliances, fixtures, apparatus, and the like used as part of or in connection with an electrical installation.

“Exposed” - Not isolated or guarded.

“Fault current” - The current that flows in an electrical system because of a defect in the circuit induced accidentally or otherwise.

“Fixed ladder” - A ladder that is permanently secured to a structure.

“Ground” - A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an electric circuit or equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth.

“Grounded” - Connected to earth or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth.

“Grounded system” - A system of conductors in which at least one conductor or point (usually the middle wire, or neutral point of transformer or generator windings) is intentionally grounded either solidly or through a current-limiting device (not a current-interrupting device).

“Groundperson” - A member of crew working on ground under direction of a leadworker.

“Guarded” - Covered, fenced, enclosed, or otherwise protected, by means of suitable covers or casings, barrier rails or screens, mats, or platforms, designed to prevent the possibility, under normal conditions, of dangerous approach or accidental contact by persons or objects.

Note: Wires which are insulated, but not otherwise protected, are not considered as guarded.

“Hazardous atmosphere” - An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (that is, escape unaided from an enclosed space), injury, or acute illness from one or more of the following causes:

. Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL);

. Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL;

Note: This concentration may be approximated as a condition in which the dust obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet (1.52 m) or less;

. Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent;

. Atmospheric concentration of any substance for which a dose or a permissible exposure limit is published in chapter 296-62 WAC, Part L, or in chapter 296-62 WAC, toxic and hazardous substances, and which could result in employee exposure in excess of its dose or permissible exposure limit;

Note: An atmospheric concentration of any substance that is not capable of causing death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury, or acute illness due to its health effects is not covered by this provision.

. Any other atmospheric condition that is “immediately dangerous to life or health” (IDLH).

“IDLH” - Any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health effects or that would interfere with an individual's ability to escape unaided from a permit space.

Note: Some materials (hydrogen fluoride gas and cadmium vapor, for example) may produce immediate transient effects that, even if severe, may pass without medical attention, but are followed by sudden, possibly fatal collapse 12-72 hours after exposure. The victim “feels normal” from recovery from transient effects until collapse. Such materials in hazardous quantities are considered to be “immediately” dangerous to life or health.

Note: For air contaminants for which WISHA has not determined a dose or permissible exposure limit, other sources of information, such as Material Safety Data Sheets that comply with the Chemical Hazard Communication Program, WAC 296-800 170, published information, and internal documents can provide guidance in establishing acceptable atmospheric conditions.

“High-power tests” - Tests in which fault currents, load currents, magnetizing currents, and line-dropping currents are used to test equipment, either at the equipment's rated voltage or at lower voltages.

“High-voltage tests” - Tests in which voltages of approximately 1000 volts are used as a practical minimum and in which the voltage source has sufficient energy to cause injury.

“High wind” - A wind of such velocity that the following hazards would be present:

. An employee would be exposed to being blown from elevated locations; or

. An employee or material handling equipment could lose control of material being handled; or

. An employee would be exposed to other hazards not controlled by the standard involved.

Note: Winds exceeding 40 miles per hour (64.4 kilometers per hour), or 30 miles per hour (48.3 kilometers per hour) if material handling is involved, are normally considered as meeting this criteria unless precautions are taken to protect employees from the hazardous effects of the wind.

“Insulated” - Separated from other conducting surfaces by a dielectric (including air space) offering a high resistance to the passage of current.

Note: When any object is said to be insulated, it is understood to be insulated for the conditions to which it is normally subjected. Otherwise, it is, within the purpose of this section, uninsulated.

“Insulation” (cable) - That which is relied upon to insulate the conductor from other conductors or conducting parts or from ground.

“Insulation shielding” - An envelope which encloses the insulation of a cable and provides an equipotential surface in contact with cable insulation.

“Isolated” - An object that is not readily accessible to persons unless special means of access are used.

“Leadworker” - The person directly in charge of workers doing the work, regardless of title.

“Line-clearance tree trimmer” - An employee who, through related training or on-the-job experience or both, is familiar with the special techniques and hazards involved in line-clearance tree trimming.

Note 1: An employee who is regularly assigned to a line-clearance tree-trimming crew and who is undergoing on-the-job training and who, in the course of such training, has demonstrated an ability to perform duties safely at his or her level of training and who is under the direct supervision of a line-clearance tree trimmer is considered to be a line-clearance tree trimmer.

Note 2: A line-clearance tree trimmer is not considered to be a “qualified employee” under this section unless he or she has the training required for a qualified employee under WAC 296-45-065. However, under the electrical safety-related work practices standard, a line-clearance tree trimmer is considered to be a “qualified employee.” Tree trimming performed by such “qualified employees” is not subject to the electrical safety-related work practice requirements contained in WAC 296-24-970. (See also the note following WAC 296-24-970 for information regarding the training an employee must have to be considered a qualified employee.)

“Line-clearance tree trimming” - The pruning, trimming, repairing, maintaining, removing, or clearing of trees or the cutting of brush that is within 10 feet (305 cm) of electric supply lines and equipment.

“Lines” -

. “Communication lines” - The conductors and their supporting or containing structures which are used for public or private signal or communication service, and which operate at potentials not exceeding 400 volts to ground or 750 volts between any two points of the circuit, and the transmitted power of which does not exceed 150 watts. If the lines are operating at less than 150 volts, no limit is placed on the transmitted power of the system. Under certain conditions, communication cables may include communication circuits exceeding these limitations where such circuits are also used to supply power solely to communication equipment.

Note: Telephone, telegraph, railroad signal, data, clock, fire, police alarm, cable television, and other systems conforming with this definition are included. Lines used for signaling purposes, but not included under this definition, are considered as electric supply lines of the same voltage.

. “Electric supply lines” - Conductors used to transmit electric energy and their necessary supporting or containing structures. Signal lines of more than 400 volts are always supply lines within this section, and those of less than 400 volts are considered as supply lines, if so run and operated throughout.

“Live-line tools and ropes” - Tools and ropes specifically designed for work on energized high voltage lines and equipment.

“Load-break elbow” - A connector designed to close and interrupt current on energized circuits within the design current and voltage rating.

“Manhole” - A subsurface enclosure which personnel may enter and which is used for the purpose of installing, operating, and maintaining submersible equipment or cable.

“Manhole steps” - A series of steps individually attached to or set into the walls of a manhole structure.

“Minimum approach distance” - The closest distance an employee is permitted to approach an energized or a grounded object.

“Neutral” - A system in which one conductor is used as the neutral for one or more circuits; one conductor may be used as the neutral for both primary and secondary circuits of a distribution system.

“Pole” - Any device used to support a power distribution or transmission line. The pole may be made of any substance including wood, concrete, metal, is usually cylindrical in shape and comparatively slender. It is the upright standard to which is affixed part of the power distribution and transmission line system as defined in this chapter.

“Power dispatcher” (load dispatcher or system operator) - A person who has been designated by the employer as having authority over switching and clearances of high voltage lines and station equipment.

“Protective devices” - Devices such as rubber gloves, rubber blankets, line hose, rubber boots, or other insulating devices, which are specifically designed for the protection of employees.

“Public highway” - Every way, land, road, street, boulevard, and every other way or place in the state open as a matter of right to public vehicular travel, both inside and outside the limits of cities and towns, regardless of ownership.

“Qualified person or qualified employee” - A person who is familiar with the construction of, or operation of such lines and/or equipment that concerns his/her position and who is fully aware of the hazards connected therewith, or, one who has passed a journey status examination for the particular branch of the electrical trades with which he/she may be connected.

Note 1: An employee must have the training required by WAC 296-45-065(1) in order to be considered a qualified employee.

Note 2: (Apprentice) Except under WAC 296-45-25510(12), an employee who is undergoing on-the-job training and who, in the course of such training, has demonstrated an ability to perform duties safely at his or her level of training and who is under the direct supervision of a qualified person is considered to be a qualified person for the performance of those duties.

“Rubber” - Any goods, equipment, or tool made out of either natural or synthetic rubber.

“Secured ladder” - A ladder which is not capable of being dislodged from the top by lateral, or jerking motion(s).

“Sheath” - As applied to tools carried in a lineman's tool belt, a sheath that effectively covers the tool and prevents such tool from falling from the belt.

“Step bolt” - A bolt or rung attached at intervals along a structural member and used for foot placement during climbing or standing.

“Supporting structure” - The main supporting unit (usually a pole or tower).

“Switch” - A device for opening and closing or for changing the connection of a circuit. In these rules, a switch is understood to be manually operable, unless otherwise stated.

“System operator or power dispatcher” - A qualified person who has been designated by the employer and having authority over switching, clearances, and operation of the system and its parts.

“Tag” - A system or method of identifying circuits, systems, or equipment for the purpose of alerting employees and others that the circuit, system, or equipment is being worked on.

“Underground network” - An underground electrical installation fed from multiple primary sources directly associated with area-wide secondary network connected into a common grid.

“Underground residential distribution system” (URD) - An electrical installation normally fed from a single primary source which may feed one or more transformers with secondaries not connected to a common grid.

“Utility” - An organization responsible for the installation, operation, or maintenance of electric supply or communications systems.

“Vault” - An enclosure, above or below ground, which personnel may enter and which is used for the purpose of installing, operating, or maintaining equipment or cable.

“Vented vault” - A vault that has provision for air changes using exhaust flue stacks and low level air intakes operating on differentials of pressure and temperature providing for airflow which precludes a hazardous atmosphere from developing.

“Voltage” - The effective (rms) potential difference between any two conductors or between a conductor and ground. Voltages are expressed in nominal values unless otherwise indicated. The nominal voltage of a system or circuit is the value assigned to a system or circuit of a given voltage class for the purpose of convenient designation. The operating voltage of the system may vary above or below this value.

Note: Low voltage includes voltages from 50 to 600 volts. High voltage shall mean those voltages of 601 volts to 230,000. Extra high voltage means any voltage over 230,000 volts. Where the words “high voltage” are used in this chapter it shall include extra high voltage, unless otherwise specified.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 01-11-038 (Order 99-36), § 296-45-035, filed 05/09/01, effective 09/01/01. Statutory Authority: Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-035, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-045 NESC applicable.

(1) All electric utilities and entities operating transmission and distribution facilities within the state of Washington must design, construct, operate, and maintain their lines and equipment according to the requirements of the 2002 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) (ANSI-C2), parts (1), (2), and (3).

Note: The department has copies of the NESC available for review at each service location across the state. To purchase a copy, write to:

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

(IEEE, Inc.)

445 Hoes Lane

Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331

(2) The employer must ensure that climbing space is provided on all poles and structures. The climbing space must meet the requirements of the 2002 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) (ANSI-C2), except that Rule 236H does not apply.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 03-17-071 (Order 03-08), § 296-45-045, filed 08/19/03, effective 11/01/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 99-09-080 (Order 99-04), § 296-45-045, filed 04/20/99, effective 08/01/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-045, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-055 Employer's responsibility.

(1) The employer shall provide and maintain the necessary protective devices specified in these rules and require the employees to use them properly.

(2) The employer shall develop and maintain a chemical hazard communication program as required by WAC 296-800-170, which will provide information to all employees relative to hazardous chemicals or substances to which they are exposed, or may become exposed, in the course of their employment.

(3) There shall be installed and maintained in every fixed establishment employing eight or more persons a safety bulletin board of a size to display and post safety bulletins, newsletters, posters, accident statistics and other safety educational material. It is recommended that safety bulletin boards be painted green and white.

(4) The employer shall require the leadworker to observe and enforce all safety rules and shall furnish a copy of the electrical workers' safety rules to each employee who is covered by these rules.

(5) The employer shall appoint only competent workers to supervise other employees and those appointed shall be responsible for the safety of the employees under their supervision.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 01-11-038 (Order 99-36), § 296-45-055, filed 05/09/01, effective 09/01/01. Statutory Authority: Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-055, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-065 Training. 

Employees shall be trained and proficient in the safety-related work practices, safety procedures, and other safety requirements in this section that pertain to their respective job assignments. Employees shall also be trained in and proficient with any other safety practices, including applicable emergency procedures (such as pole top, aerial, manhole, and tree rescue), that are not specifically addressed by this section but that are related to their work and are necessary for their safety.

(1) Qualified employees shall also be trained and competent in:

(a) The skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment;

(b) The skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts;

(c) The minimum approach distances specified in this section corresponding to the voltages to which the qualified employee will be exposed; and

(d) 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.

Note: For the purposes of this section, a person must have this training in order to be considered a qualified person.

(2) 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 section.

(3) An employee shall receive additional training (or retraining) under any of the following conditions:

(a) If the supervision and annual inspections required by subsection (2) of this section indicate that the employee is not complying with the safety-related work practices required by this section; or

(b) 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

(c) If he or she must employ safety related work practices that are not normally used during his or her regular job duties.

Note: WISHA would consider tasks that are performed less often than once per year to necessitate retraining before the performance of the work practices involved.

(4) The training required by WAC 296-45-065 shall be of the classroom or on-the-job type.

(5) The training shall establish employee proficiency in the work practices required by this section and shall introduce the procedures necessary for compliance with this section.

(6) The employer shall certify that each employee has received the training required by WAC 296-45-065. This certification shall be made when the employee demonstrates proficiency in the work practices involved and shall be maintained for the duration of the employee's employment.

Note: Employment records that indicate that an employee has received the required training are an acceptable means of meeting this requirement.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-065, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-075 Employer's safety program.

(1) The employer shall hold safety meetings at least once a month, which meetings shall be held at a reasonable time and place as selected by the employer. The employer shall require all employees subject to provisions of this chapter to attend said meetings: Provided, That employees whose presence is otherwise required by reason of an emergency or whose function is such that they cannot leave their station or cease their work without serious detriment to the service provided, such as dispatcher, may be excused from such meeting under those circumstances. Minutes shall be kept of each safety meeting and retained for a period of one year.

(2) The employer or a representative(s) designated shall investigate all accidents or injuries of a serious nature and, where possible, take the proper remedial steps to prevent the occurrence of similar accidents.

(3) The employer shall furnish instructions stating the proper procedure in event of an emergency, which shall include the names of those individuals to be notified and methods of contacting them.

(4) The employer shall provide and make available to all employees accident report and safety suggestion forms or other approved methods. Safety suggestion forms should, where possible, be used for suggesting the elimination of hazardous conditions and such reported suggestions shall be retained (for one year) by the employer or an authorized representative.

(5) The employer must notify the department of employee fatalities or catastrophes according to the requirements of WAC 296-800-320.

(6) Nothing contained within this chapter shall prohibit an employer or an authorized representative from disciplining employees for failure to comply with the provisions of this or any other safety code.

(7) Existing conditions related to the safety of the work to be performed shall be determined before work on or near electric lines or equipment is started. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, the nominal voltages of lines and equipment, the maximum switching transient voltages, the presence of hazardous induced voltages, the presence and condition of protective grounds and equipment grounding conductors, the condition of poles, environmental conditions relative to safety, and the locations of circuits and equipment, including power and communication lines and fire protective signaling circuits.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 01-11-038 (Order 99-36), § 296-45-075, filed 05/09/01, effective 09/01/01. Statutory Authority: Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-075, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-085 Leadworker's responsibility.

(1) Every leadworker shall understand these and any other applicable safety rules and comply therewith. Leadworkers shall require all employees under their direction or supervision to read this chapter and the provisions contained therein and require every employee subject to this chapter to be able to apply this chapter and any provision of this chapter on a day-to-day basis.

(2) Leadworkers shall inform employees under their supervision or direction of the type and voltage of circuits on or near which the employees are to work.

(3) Leadworkers shall require all employees under their supervision to properly use safety devices and equipment, including barricades, warning flags or signs, or any other device called for to protect employees.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-085, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-095 Leadworker-employee responsibility.

(1) An employee shall protect his/her climbing and working space at all times if the conductors are so spaced that in climbing or working he/she will be, or where it is possible to come within, the minimum required distances specified in these rules.

(2) Leadworkers or supervisors shall in good faith consider verbal or written reports of hazardous conditions and shall, as soon as practicable, investigate and remedy same if warranted.

(3) When hazards are reported by employees, leadworkers and others having authority shall accept the report in a cooperative manner, and in no case shall an employee be reprimanded or penalized for reporting hazards or potential hazards.

(4) Leadworkers shall require all employees under their supervision to keep their belts, spurs, and straps in good working condition. When straps and belts are in poor condition or defective, they shall not be used.

(5) Before leaving a jobsite, leadworkers shall correct or arrange to give warning of any condition which might result in injury to employees.

(6) No employee shall be permitted or allowed to remain on the jobsite when under the influence of any intoxicating beverage or controlled substance or substances: Provided, That if an employee is taking prescription medication under the direction of a practicing physician and such prescription does not interfere with the safe performance of the work assigned, such employee may be permitted to work.

(7) No intoxicating beverages or controlled substances shall be consumed on the jobsite other than prescription medication as set forth above.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-095, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-105 Work required of leadworkers.

(1) A leadworker cannot properly supervise the work and look out for the safety of employees under their direction if required to work as a leadworker and a lineworker at the same time.

(2) Leadworkers should be constantly alert and shall not be required to serve in such dual capacity, except in crews of not more than two lineworkers, in which case they may work as one of the lineworkers.

(3) In crews of two lineworkers or less, each lineworker may have a groundworker but, if additional lineworkers or groundworkers are added to the crew, the leadworker shall confine his/her activities to supervising the work, as exhibited below:

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-105, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-115 Employee's responsibility.

(1) Employees shall not engage in horseplay or scuffling while on the job or jobsite and the employer shall not permit horseplay or scuffling while on the jobsite or otherwise in the course of employment.

(2) During such time as any employee is working on or near any energized line or energized equipment in excess of 600 volts there shall be no talking or communication other than that which is absolutely necessary and essential for the safe and proper performance of the work. Should there be communication or talk from a person other than an employee, the work shall stop until such time as the distraction ceases.

(3) Employees shall report any hazardous or potentially hazardous condition, operation, means, or work in a constructive manner and shall not engage in personality conflicts.

(4) Neither the employer nor the employees shall throw or permit anything to be thrown from elevated position(s) or poles to the ground or lower level, nor shall anything be thrown from the ground or lower level to an elevated position, whether that elevated position is on a pole, aerial manlift or otherwise. Tools and loose materials shall not be left on poles, crossarms, ladders or other elevated structures or positions.

(5) Employees shall report all injuries, regardless of severity, to the employer or designated representative. Report forms furnished by the employer should be used.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-115, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-125 Medical services and first aid. 

The employer shall provide medical services and first aid as required in WAC 296-800-150. The following requirements also apply:

(1) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid training. When employees are performing work on or associated with exposed lines or equipment energized at 50 volts or more, persons trained in first aid including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) shall be available as follows:

(a) For field work involving two or more employees at a work location, at least two trained persons shall be available. However, only one trained person need be available if all new employees are trained in first aid, including CPR, within 3 months of their hiring dates.

(b) For fixed work locations such as generating stations, the number of trained persons available shall be sufficient to ensure that each employee exposed to electric shock can be reached within 4 minutes by a trained person. However, where the existing number of employees is insufficient to meet this requirement (at a remote substation, for example), all employees at the work location shall be trained.

(2) First-aid supplies. First-aid supplies required by chapter WAC 296-800-150 shall be placed in weatherproof containers if the supplies could be exposed to the weather.

(3) First-aid kits. Each first-aid kit shall be maintained, shall be readily available for use, and shall be inspected frequently enough to ensure that expended items are replaced but at least once per year.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 04-07-160 (Order 03-31), § 296-45-125, filed 3/23/04, effective 5/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 01-11-038 (Order 99-36), § 296-45-125, filed 05/09/01, effective 09/01/01 Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-125, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-135 Job briefing. 

The employer shall ensure that the leadworker conducts a job briefing with the employees involved before they start each job. 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.

(1) Number of briefings. 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. Additional job briefings shall be held if significant changes, which might affect the safety of the employees, occur during the course of the work.

(2) Extent of briefing. A brief discussion is satisfactory if the work involved is routine and if the employee, by virtue of training and experience, can reasonably be expected to recognize and avoid the hazards involved in the job. A more extensive discussion shall be conducted:

(a) If the work is complicated or particularly hazardous; or

(b) If the employee cannot be expected to recognize and avoid the hazards involved in the job.

Note: The briefing is always required to touch on all the subjects listed in the introductory text to this section.

(3) 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.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-135, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-175 Hazardous energy control (lockout/tagout) procedures. 

The provisions of this section apply to the use of lockout/tagout procedures for the control of energy sources in installations for the purpose of electric power generation, including related equipment for communication or metering. Locking and tagging procedures for the de-energizing of electric energy sources which are used exclusively for purposes of transmission and distribution are addressed by WAC 296-45-335.

Note 1: Installations in electric power generation facilities that are not an integral part of, or inextricably commingled with, power generation processes or equipment are covered under chapter 296-24 WAC.

Note 2: Lockout and tagging procedures that comply with chapter 296-803 WAC will also be deemed to comply with this section if the procedures address the hazards covered by this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 04-15-105 (Order 03-12), §296-45-175, filed 07/20/04, effective 11/01/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-175, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-17505 Lockout/tagout (hazardous control) program.

(1) The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training, and periodic inspections to ensure that, before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, start up, or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment is isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.

(2) The employer's energy control program under this section shall meet the following requirements:

(a) If an energy isolating device is not capable of being locked out, the employer's program shall use a tagout system.

(b) If an energy isolating device is capable of being locked out, the employer's program shall use lockout, unless the employer can demonstrate that the use of a tagout system will provide full employee protection as follows:

(i) When a tagout device is used on an energy isolating device which is capable of being locked out, the tagout device shall be attached at the same location that the lockout device would have been attached, and the employer shall demonstrate that the tagout program will provide a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lockout program.

(ii) In demonstrating that a level of safety is achieved in the tagout program equivalent to the level of safety obtained by the use of a lockout program, the employer shall demonstrate full compliance with all tagout-related provisions of this standard together with such additional elements as are necessary to provide the equivalent safety available from the use of a lockout device. Additional means to be considered as part of the demonstration of full employee protection shall include the implementation of additional safety measures such as the removal of an isolating circuit element, blocking of a controlling switch, opening of an extra disconnecting device, or the removal of a valve handle to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent energizing.

(3) Whenever replacement or major repair, renovation, or modification of a machine or equipment is performed, and whenever new machines or equipment are installed, energy isolating devices for such machines or equipment shall be designed to accept a lockout device.

(4) Procedures shall be developed, documented, and used for the control of potentially hazardous energy covered by this section.

(5) The procedure shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, responsibility, authorization, rules, and techniques to be applied to the control of hazardous energy, and the measures to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) A specific statement of the intended use of this procedure;

(b) Specific procedural steps for shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing machines or equipment to control hazardous energy;

(c) Specific procedural steps for the placement, removal, and transfer of lockout devices or tagout devices and the responsibility for them; and

(d) Specific requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control measures.

(6) The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the provisions of this section are being followed.

(a) The periodic inspection shall be performed by an authorized employee who is not using the energy control procedure being inspected.

(b) The periodic inspection shall be designed to identify and correct any deviations or inadequacies.

(c) If lockout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected.

(d) Where tagout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized and affected employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected, and the elements set forth in this section.

(e) The employer shall certify that the inspections required by this section have been accomplished. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being used, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection.

Note: If normal work schedule and operation records demonstrate adequate inspection activity and contain the required information, no additional certification is required.

(7) The employer shall provide training to ensure that the purpose and function of the energy control program are understood by employees and that the knowledge and skills required for the safe application, usage, and removal of energy controls are acquired by employees. The training shall include the following:

(a) Each authorized employee shall receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of energy available in the workplace, and in the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.

(b) Each affected employee shall be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure.

(c) All other employees whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be used shall be instructed about the procedures and about the prohibition relating to attempts to restart or reenergize machines or equipment that are locked out or tagged out.

(8) When tagout systems are used, employees shall also be trained in the following limitations of tags:

(a) Tags are essentially warning devices affixed to energy isolating devices and do not provide the physical restraint on those devices that is provided by a lock.

(b) When a tag is attached to an energy isolating means, it is not to be removed without authorization of the authorized person responsible for it, and it is never to be bypassed, ignored, or otherwise defeated.

(c) Tags must be legible and understandable by all authorized employees, affected employees, and all other employees whose work operations are or may be in the area, in order to be effective.

(d) Tags and their means of attachment must be made of materials which will withstand the environmental conditions encountered in the workplace.

(e) Tags may evoke a false sense of security, and their meaning needs to be understood as part of the overall energy control program.

(f) Tags must be securely attached to energy isolating devices so that they cannot be inadvertently or accidentally detached during use.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-17505, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-17510 Retraining.

(1) Retraining shall be provided for all authorized and affected employees whenever there is a change in their job assignments, a change in machines, equipment, or processes that present a new hazard or whenever there is a change in the energy control procedures.

(2) Retraining shall also be conducted whenever a periodic inspection reveals, or whenever the employer has reason to believe, that there are deviations from or inadequacies in an employee's knowledge or use of the energy control procedures.

(3) The retraining shall reestablish employee proficiency and shall introduce new or revised control methods and procedures,