OAR 437-002-2313
Grounding for the Protection of Employees


(1)

Application. 437-002-2313 (Grounding for the Protection of Employees) applies to grounding of generation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment for the purpose of protecting employees. Paragraph (4) of this rule also applies to protective grounding of other equipment as required elsewhere in Division 2/RR.

(2)

General. For any employee to work transmission and distribution lines or equipment as deenergized, the employer must ensure that the lines or equipment are deenergized under the provisions of 437-002-2312 (Deenergizing Lines and Equipment for Employee Protection) and must ensure proper grounding of the lines or equipment as specified in paragraphs (3) through (8) below. 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:

(a)

The employer ensures that the lines and equipment are deenergized under the provisions of 437-002-2312 (Deenergizing Lines and Equipment for Employee Protection) Deenergizing lines and equipment for employee protection, Division 2/RR.

(b)

There is no possibility of contact with another energized source.

(c)

The hazard of induced voltage is not present.

(3)

Equipotential zone. Temporary protective grounds must be placed at such locations and arranged to will prevent each employee from being exposed to hazardous differences in electric potential.
NOTE to paragraph (3): Appendix C to Division 2/RR contains guidelines for establishing the equipotential zone required by this paragraph. Oregon OSHA will deem grounding practices meeting these guidelines as complying with paragraph (3) of this rule.

(4)

Protective grounding equipment.

(a)

Protective grounding equipment must be capable of conducting the maximum fault current that could flow at the point of grounding for the time necessary to clear the fault.

(b)

Protective grounding equipment must have an ampacity greater than or equal to that of No. 2 AWG copper.

(c)

Protective grounds must 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.

(d)

While working on circuits deenergized under clearance conditions with multi-phase lines, shorts and grounds must be established at the lowest impedance available. Employees may perform work on one phase of a multi-phase line after establishing an equipotential zone that includes the phase being directly worked on. The phases outside the equipotential zone are to be treated as energized with minimum approach distance observed, unless they become part of the equipotential zone.
NOTE to paragraph (4): 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.

(5)

Testing. The employer must 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.

(6)

Grounding must be verified if an employee requests it.

(7)

Connecting and removing grounds.

(a)

The employer must 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.

(b)

The employer must 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 they remove 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.

(8)

Additional precautions. The employer must 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.

(9)

Removal of grounds for test. The employer may permit employees to remove grounds temporarily during tests. During the test procedure, the employer must ensure that each employee uses insulating equipment, must isolate each employee from any hazards involved, and must implement any additional measures necessary to protect each exposed employee in case the previously grounded lines and equipment become energized.

Source: Rule 437-002-2313 — Grounding for the Protection of Employees, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=437-002-2313.

437–002–0005
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0006
General Oregon Definitions
437–002–0007
Testing and Certification
437–002–0010
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0015
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0020
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0022
Additional Oregon General Requirements
437–002–0026
Portable Ladders
437–002–0032
Ramps and Runways
437–002–0033
Piers and Wharves
437–002–0040
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0041
Exits and Exit Routes
437–002–0042
Emergency Action Plan
437–002–0043
Fire Prevention Plan
437–002–0047
Working Near Overhead High Voltage Lines and Equipment
437–002–0060
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0080
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0081
Oregon Ventilation Regulations
437–002–0095
Audiometric Testing in Oregon
437–002–0098
Additional Applicability
437–002–0100
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0101
Oregon Start-Up Dates
437–002–0107
Spray Finishing
437–002–0109
Explosives and Blasting Agents
437–002–0118
Oregon Rules for Reinforced Plastics Manufacturing
437–002–0119
Oregon Effective Dates
437–002–0120
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0122
Dipping and Coating
437–002–0134
Personal Protective Equipment
437–002–0139
Working Underway on Water.
437–002–0140
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0141
Additional Oregon Sanitation Requirements
437–002–0142
Labor Camps
437–002–0144
Additional Oregon Rules for General Environmental Controls
437–002–0145
Additional Oregon Rules for Accident Prevention and Tags
437–002–0146
Confined Spaces
437–002–0154
Individual Locks
437–002–0161
Medical Services and First Aid
437–002–0170
Worker Protection Standard
437–002–0180
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0182
Oregon Rules for Fire Fighters
437–002–0187
Portable Fire Extinguishers
437–002–0200
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0210
Additional Oregon Rules for Compressed Air and Compressed Gas Equipment
437–002–0220
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0221
Additional Oregon Rules for Handling Materials
437–002–0223
Oregon Rules for Commercial and Industrial Vehicles
437–002–0227
Additional Oregon Rules for Powered Industrial Trucks
437–002–0228
Oregon General Requirements for Cranes
437–002–0229
Additional Oregon Rules for Overhead and Gantry Cranes
437–002–0230
Additional Oregon Rule for Crawler, Locomotive and Truck Cranes
437–002–0232
Additional Oregon Rule for Derricks
437–002–0233
Oregon Rules for Hammerhead Cranes
437–002–0235
Additional Oregon Rule for Slings
437–002–0240
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0242
Oregon Rules for Machinery and Machine Guarding
437–002–0256
Stationary Compactors, Self-Contained Compactors, and Balers
437–002–0260
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0262
Additional Definitions in Oregon
437–002–0264
Additional General Requirements for Hand Tools
437–002–0266
Additional Oregon Rules for Guarding Portable Powered Tools
437–002–0268
Oregon Rules for Hand-Powered Equipment
437–002–0280
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0282
Job Planning and Layout
437–002–0283
Eye Protection and Protective Clothing
437–002–0284
Specifications for Protectors
437–002–0285
Special Precautions
437–002–0286
Preservative Coatings
437–002–0287
Toxic Preservative Coatings
437–002–0288
Health Protection and Ventilation — General
437–002–0297
Welding or Cutting Containers
437–002–0298
Self-Contained Units
437–002–0300
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0301
Scope and Application
437–002–0302
Definitions
437–002–0303
Training and Work Planning
437–002–0304
First Aid Requirements
437–002–0305
Traffic Control
437–002–0306
Electrical Hazards
437–002–0307
Personal Protective Equipment
437–002–0308
Portable Power Tools
437–002–0309
Hand Tools
437–002–0310
Work Procedures
437–002–0311
Mobile Equipment
437–002–0312
Oregon Rules for Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Mills
437–002–0313
Additional Oregon Rules for Sawmills
437–002–0314
Veneer and Plywood Machinery
437–002–0315
Shake and Shingle Machinery
437–002–0316
Oregon Rules for Telecommunications
437–002–0320
Adoption by Reference.
437–002–0340
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0342
Additional Oregon Definition
437–002–0345
Inland Emergency Aid
437–002–0355
Air Supply Systems (Compressed Gases and Air)
437–002–0360
Adoption by Reference
437–002–0363
Oregon Amendment
437–002–0364
Oregon Rules for MOCA (4,4’-Methylene Bis (2-chloroaniline))
437–002–0368
Deterioration
437–002–0371
Scope and Application
437–002–0373
Oregon Rules for Thiram
437–002–0377
Additional Oregon Rules for Hazard Communication
437–002–0378
Oregon Rules for Pipe Labelling
437–002–0382
Oregon Rules for Air Contaminants
437–002–0390
Oregon Effective Dates
437–002–0391
Additional Oregon Rules for Carcinogens in Laboratories
437–002–1001
Asbestos Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1017
Vinyl Chloride Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1018
Inorganic Arsenic Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1025
Lead Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1027
Cadmium Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1028
Benzene Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1029
Coke Oven Emissions Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1030
Additional Oregon Rules for Bloodborne Pathogens
437–002–1035
Oregon Rule for Sharps Injury Log
437–002–1043
Cotton Dust Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1044
1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1045
Acrylonitrile Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1047
Ethylene Oxide Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1048
Formaldehyde Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1050
Methylenedianiline Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1051
1,3-Butadiene Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1052
Methylene Chloride Respiratory Protection Program
437–002–1053
Scope and Application
437–002–1054
Definitions
437–002–1055
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
437–002–1056
Exposure Assessment
437–002–1057
Specified exposure control methods
437–002–1058
Regulated and Restricted Access Areas
437–002–1059
Methods of Compliance
437–002–1060
Respiratory Protection
437–002–1061
Housekeeping
437–002–1062
Medical Surveillance
437–002–1063
Communication of Respirable Crystalline Silica Hazards to Employees
437–002–1064
Recordkeeping
437–002–1065
Dates
437–002–1139
Working Over or In Water
437–002–2021
Additional Oregon Definitions
437–002–2022
Additional Oregon Rules for Powered Platforms
437–002–2024
Scope and Application
437–002–2025
Definitions
437–002–2026
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
437–002–2027
Rope Descent & Rope Access Systems
437–002–2028
Regulated and Restricted Access Areas
437–002–2029
Methods of Compliance
437–002–2030
Respiratory Protection
437–002–2031
Delayed Effective Dates for Walking-Working Surfaces
437–002–2032
Hygiene Areas and Practices
437–002–2033
Housekeeping
437–002–2034
Medical Surveillance
437–002–2035
Medical Removal
437–002–2036
Communication of Beryllium Hazards to Employees
437–002–2037
Recordkeeping
437–002–2038
Dates
437–002–2040
Exposure Assessment
437–002–2045
Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
437–002–2101
Compressed Gases (General Requirements)
437–002–2102
Acetylene
437–002–2224
Vehicle Drivers and Riders
437–002–2225
Vehicles for Highway and Road Operation Characteristics and Maintenance
437–002–2226
Vehicles for Use on Property Other Than Public Roads and Highways Operation, Characteristics and Maintenance
437–002–2253
Oxygen-fuel Gas Welding and Cutting
437–002–2300
General
437–002–2301
Medical Services and First Aid
437–002–2302
Job Briefing
437–002–2303
Hazardous Energy Control Procedures
437–002–2304
Enclosed Spaces
437–002–2305
Excavations
437–002–2306
Personal Protective Equipment
437–002–2307
Portable Ladders and Platforms
437–002–2308
Hand and Portable Power Equipment
437–002–2309
Live-line Tools
437–002–2310
Materials Handling and Storage
437–002–2311
Working On or Near Exposed Energized Parts
437–002–2312
Deenergizing Lines and Equipment for Employee Protection
437–002–2313
Grounding for the Protection of Employees
437–002–2314
Testing and Test Facilities
437–002–2315
Mechanical Equipment
437–002–2316
Overhead Lines
437–002–2317
Line-clearance Tree Trimming
437–002–2318
Communication Facilities
437–002–2319
Underground Electrical Installations
437–002–2320
Substations
437–002–2321
Power Generation Installations
437–002–2322
Special Conditions
437–002–2323
Helicopters
437–002–2324
Definitions
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 437-002-2313’s source at or​.us