versions at the Internet Archive. Yahoo! is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content.
Document
482
29 CFR Ch. XVII (7106 Edition)
§ 1926.955
driven ground, shall be capable of con-
ducting the anticipated fault current
and shall have a minimum conductance
of No. 2 AWG copper.
§ 1926.955
Overhead lines.
(a)
Overhead lines. (1) When working
on or with overhead lines the provi-
sions of paragraphs (a) (2) through (8)
of this section shall be complied with
in addition to other applicable provi-
sions of this subpart.
(2) Prior to climbing poles, ladders,
scaffolds, or other elevated structures,
an inspection shall be made to deter-
mine that the structures are capable of
sustaining the additional or unbal-
anced stresses to which they will be
subjected.
(3) Where poles or structures may be
unsafe for climbing, they shall not be
climbed until made safe by guying,
bracing, or other adequate means.
(4) Before installing or removing wire
or cable, strains to which poles and
structures will be subjected shall be
considered and necessary action taken
to prevent failure of supporting struc-
tures.
(5)(i) When setting, moving, or re-
moving poles using cranes, derricks,
gin poles, A-frames, or other mecha-
nized equipment near energized lines or
equipment, precautions shall be taken
to avoid contact with energized lines or
equipment, except in bare-hand live-
line work, or where barriers or protec-
tive devices are used.
(ii) Equipment and machinery oper-
ating adjacent to energized lines or
equipment shall comply with
§ 1926.952(c)(2).
(6)(i) Unless using suitable protective
equipment for the voltage involved,
employees standing on the ground shall
avoid contacting equipment or machin-
ery working adjacent to energized lines
or equipment.
(ii) Lifting equipment shall be bond-
ed to an effective ground or it shall be
considered energized and barricaded
when utilized near energized equip-
ment or lines.
(7) Pole holes shall not be left unat-
tended or unguarded in areas where
employees are currently working.
(8) Tag lines shall be of a nonconduc-
tive type when used near energized
lines.
(b)
Metal tower construction. (1) When
working in unstable material the exca-
vation for pad- or pile-type footings in
excess of 5 feet deep shall be either
sloped to the angle of repose as re-
quired in § 1926.652 or shored if entry is
required. Ladders shall be provided for
access to pad- or pile-type footing ex-
cavations in excess of 4 feet.
(2) When working in unstable mate-
rial provision shall be made for clean-
ing out auger-type footings without re-
quiring an employee to enter the foot-
ing unless shoring is used to protect
the employee.
(3)(i) A designated employee shall be
used in directing mobile equipment ad-
jacent to footing excavations.
(ii) No one shall be permitted to re-
main in the footing while equipment is
being spotted for placement.
(iii) Where necessary to assure the
stability of mobile equipment the loca-
tion of use for such equipment shall be
graded and leveled.
(4)(i) Tower assembly shall be carried
out with a minimum exposure of em-
ployees to falling objects when working
at two or more levels on a tower.
(ii) Guy lines shall be used as nec-
essary to maintain sections or parts of
sections in position and to reduce the
possibility of tipping.
(iii) Members and sections being as-
sembled shall be adequately supported.
(5) When assembling and erecting
towers the provisions of paragraphs
(b)(5) (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section
shall be complied with:
(i) The construction of transmission
towers and the erecting of poles, hoist-
ing machinery, site preparation ma-
chinery, and other types of construc-
tion machinery shall conform to the
applicable requirements of this part.
(ii) No one shall be permitted under a
tower which is in the process of erec-
tion or assembly, except as may be re-
quired to guide and secure the section
being set.
(iii) When erecting towers using
hoisting equipment adjacent to ener-
gized transmission lines, the lines shall
be deenergized when practical. If the
lines are not deenergized, extraor-
dinary caution shall be exercised to
maintain the minimum clearance dis-
tances required by § 1926.950(c), includ-
ing Table V1.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
11:47 Aug 02, 2006
Jkt 208114
PO 00000
Frm 00492
Fmt 8010
Sfmt 8002
Y:\SGML\208114.XXX
208114 483
Occupational Safety and Health Admin., Labor
§ 1926.955
(6)(i) Erection cranes shall be set on
firm level foundations and when the
cranes are so equipped outriggers shall
be used.
(ii) Tag lines shall be utilized to
maintain control of tower sections
being raised and positioned, except
where the use of such lines would cre-
ate a greater hazard.
(iii) The loadline shall not be de-
tached from a tower section until the
section is adequately secured.
(iv) Except during emergency res-
toration procedures erection shall be
discontinued in the event of high wind
or other adverse weather conditions
which would make the work hazardous.
(v) Equipment and rigging shall be
regularly inspected and maintained in
safe operating condition.
(7) Adequate traffic control shall be
maintained when crossing highways
and railways with equipment as re-
quired by the provisions of § 1926.200(g)
(1) and (2).
(8) A designated employee shall be
utilized to determine that required
clearance is maintained in moving
equipment under or near energized
lines.
(c)
Stringing or removing deenergized
conductors. (1) When stringing or re-
moving deenergized conductors, the
provisions of paragraphs (c) (2) through
(12) of this section shall be complied
with.
(2) Prior to stringing operations a
briefing shall be held setting forth the
plan of operation and specifying the
type of equipment to be used, ground-
ing devices and procedures to be fol-
lowed, crossover methods to be em-
ployed, and the clearance authoriza-
tion required.
(3) Where there is a possibility of the
conductor accidentally contacting an
energized circuit or receiving a dan-
gerous induced voltage buildup, to fur-
ther protect the employee from the
hazards of the conductor, the con-
ductor being installed or removed shall
be grounded or provisions made to in-
sulate or isolate the employee.
(4)(i) If the existing line is deener-
gized, proper clearance authorization
shall be secured and the line grounded
on both sides of the crossover or, the
line being strung or removed shall be
considered and worked as energized.
(ii) When crossing over energized
conductors in excess of 600 volts, rope
nets or guard structures shall be in-
stalled unless provision is made to iso-
late or insulate the workman or the en-
ergized conductor. Where practical the
automatic reclosing feature of the cir-
cuit interrupting device shall be made
inoperative. In addition, the line being
strung shall be grounded on either side
of the crossover or considered and
worked as energized.
(5) Conductors being strung in or re-
moved shall be kept under positive
control by the use of adequate tension
reels, guard structures, tielines, or
other means to prevent accidental con-
tact with energized circuits.
(6) Guard structure members shall be
sound and of adequate dimension and
strength, and adequately supported.
(7)(i) Catch-off anchors, rigging, and
hoists shall be of ample capacity to
prevent loss of the lines.
(ii) The manufacturers load rating
shall not be exceeded for stringing
lines, pulling lines, sock connections,
and all load-bearing hardware and ac-
cessories.
(iii) Pulling lines and accessories
shall be inspected regularly and re-
placed or repaired when damaged or
when dependability is doubtful. The
provisions of § 1926.251(c)(4)(ii) (con-
cerning splices) shall not apply.
(8) Conductor grips shall not be used
on wire rope unless designed for this
application.
(9) While the conductor or pulling
line is being pulled (in motion) employ-
ees shall not be permitted directly
under overhead operations, nor shall
any employee be permitted on the
crossarm.
(10) A transmission clipping crew
shall have a minimum of two struc-
tures clipped in between the crew and
the conductor being sagged. When
working on bare conductors, clipping
and tying crews shall work between
grounds at all times. The grounds shall
remain intact until the conductors are
clipped in, except on dead end struc-
tures.
(11)(i) Except during emergency res-
toration procedures, work from struc-
tures shall be discontinued when ad-
verse weather (such as high wind or ice
VerDate Aug<31>2005
11:47 Aug 02, 2006
Jkt 208114
PO 00000
Frm 00493
Fmt 8010
Sfmt 8002
Y:\SGML\208114.XXX
208114 484
29 CFR Ch. XVII (7106 Edition)
§ 1926.955
on structures) makes the work haz-
ardous.
(ii) Stringing and clipping operations
shall be discontinued during the
progress of an electrical storm in the
immediate vicinity.
(12)(i) Reel handling equipment,