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