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Policies Part 19
Policies Part 19 Contents
WORKING CLOSE TO ENERGIZED HIGH VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT AND CONDUCTORS
R19.25-1 RE: Electrical Safety - Working Close to Energized High Voltage Equipment and Conductors
TREE PRUNING AND FALLING NEAR ENERGIZED CONDUCTORS
R19.30-1 RE: Electrical Safety - Tree Pruning and Falling Near Energized Conductors - Preliminary Inspection
Policies Part 19 - Working Close to Energized High Voltage Equipment and Conductors
Policy Item R19.25-1
RE: Electrical Safety - Working Close to Energized High Voltage Equipment and Conductors
BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 19.24 requires, in part, that employers ensure that a specified minimum distance is maintained between high voltage electrical equipment and conductors and workplace equipment. If this specified minimum safe distance cannot be maintained, section 19.25 requires that an employer must obtain a written assurance of certain matters from a representative of the power system.
2. The Regulation
Section 19.24:
(1) The employer must ensure that at least the minimum applicable distance specified in Table 19-1 is maintained between exposed, energized high voltage electrical equipment and conductors and any worker, work, tool, machine, equipment or material, unless otherwise permitted by this Part.
(2) The employer must accurately determine the voltage of any energized electrical equipment or conductor and the minimum distance from it required by subsection (1).
| Table 19-1: General limits of approach | ||
| Voltage | Minimum distance | |
| Phase to phase | Metres | Feet |
| Over 750 V to 75 kV | 3 | 10 |
| Over 75 kV to 250 kV | 4.5 | 15 |
| Over 250 kV to 550 kV | 6 | 20 |
Section 19.25, in part:
(1) If the minimum distance in Table 19-1 cannot be maintained because of the circumstances of work or the inadvertent movement of persons or equipment, an assurance in writing on a form acceptable to the Board and signed by a representative of the owner of the power system, must be obtained.
(2) The assurance must state that while the work is being done the electrical equipment and conductors will be displaced or rerouted from the work area, if practicable.
(3) If compliance with subsection (2) is not practicable the assurance must state that the electrical equipment will be isolated and grounded, but if isolation and grounding is not practicable the assurance must state that the electrical equipment will be visually identified and guarded.
POLICY
The minimum distances specified in section 19.24 and Table 19-1 must be taken into account when planning the operation of a crane or other equipment close to overhead electrical conductors. If the operation is planned with due regard to the environmental conditions, the condition of the equipment, the capability of the operators, and the movement of material, so that no part of the equipment, workers, or material come within the stipulated minimum distance, an assurance in writing under section 19.25(1) is not required.
For the purposes of section 19.24, if no other effective means is provided to assist the operator of a tower crane in maintaining the minimum distance:
- the crane must have a marker placed at an appropriate position on the jib; and
- the employer must specifically instruct the operator that, when the jib is in a position such that the load line could enter within the minimum applicable distance, the trolley must be positioned only on the mast side of the marker.
PRACTICE
For any relevant PRACTICE information, readers should consult the Guidelines available on the WCB website.
| EFFECTIVE DATE: | October 29, 2003 |
| AUTHORITY: | ss.19.25 and 19.24, Occupational Health and Safety Regulation |
| CROSS REFERENCES: | |
| HISTORY: | Effective April 1, 2001, this Item replaced Policy No. 24.04(1) of the former Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual. Effective October 29, 2003, the policy incorporated a paragraph from Item R14.53-1 which was deleted in response to the duplication and redundancy package of regulatory amendments. |
| APPLICATION: | This policy applies to all instances where workplace equipment comes in close proximity to high voltage electrical equipment and conductors on and after October 29, 2003. |
Policies Part 19 - Tree Pruning and Falling Near Energized Conductors
Policy Item R19.30-1
RE: Electrical Safety - Tree Pruning and Falling Near Energized Conductors - Preliminary Inspection
BACKGROUND
1. Explanatory Notes
Section 19.30 sets out requirements for preliminary inspections to identify hazardous areas prior to commencing tree-pruning and falling near energized conductors. Included in the inspection is whether any part of the tree to be pruned or felled is, or may be, within the minimum distance specified in Section 19.24 and Table 19-1.
2. The Regulation
Section 19.30:
Section 19.24:(1) Before commencing tree pruning or falling close to energized high voltage overhead conductors, the worksite must be inspected by a qualified person, authorized by the owner of the power system, to identify any hazardous areas, including situations where any part of a tree to be pruned or felled is within the applicable minimum distance from an energized conductor as specified in Table 19-1, or may fall within that distance.
(2) Immediately before commencing work, an inspection must be performed by a qualified person to verify the results of the initial inspection done under subsection (1) are still valid.
(1) The employer must ensure that at least the minimum applicable distance specified in Table 19-1 is maintained between exposed, energized high voltage electrical equipment and conductors and any worker, work, tool, machine, equipment or material, unless otherwise permitted by this Part.
(2) The employer must accurately determine the voltage of any energized electrical equipment or conductor and the minimum distance from it required by subsection (1).
Table 19-1: General limits of approach
Voltage
Minimum distance
Phase to phase
Metres
Feet
Over 750 V to 75 kV
3
10
Over 75 kV to 250 kV
4.5
15
Over 250 kV to 550 kV
6
20
POLICY
Tree trimmers intending to work close to energized high voltage lines must call the utility to request a qualified person to perform the preliminary inspection under section 19.30(1). The following guidelines are to be used in determining if tree-trimming is close to energized high voltage overhead conductors:
- any part of the tree, as it stands near an energized line, is within the general limits of approach specified in section 19.24(1);
- any branches are above an energized line in such a way that any severed portion may fall within the general limits of approach of section 19.24(1); or
- any contemplated topping operation will produce a cut length capable of extending from the tree to within the limits of approach of section 19.24(1).
PRACTICE
For any relevant PRACTICE information, readers should consult the Prevention Division's Guidelines available on the WCB website.
| EFFECTIVE DATE: | April 1, 2001 |
| AUTHORITY: | ss.19.30 and 19.24, Occupational Health and Safety Regulation |
| CROSS REFERENCES: | |
| HISTORY: | Replaces Policy No. 24.08(1) of the Prevention Division Policy and Procedure Manual |
| APPLICATION: | This Item results from the 2000/2001 "editorial" consolidation of all prevention policies into the Prevention Manual. The POLICY in this Item merely continues the substantive requirements of Policy No. 24.08(1), as they existed prior to the Effective Date, with any wording changes necessary to reflect legislative and regulatory changes since Policy No. 24.08(1) was issued. |
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