OAR 437-002-2314
Testing and Test Facilities

(1)

Application. 437-002-2314 (Testing and Test Facilities) provides for safe work practices for high-voltage and high-power testing performed in laboratories, shops, and substations, and in the field and on electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment. It applies only to testing involving interim measurements using high voltage, high power, or combinations of high voltage and high power, and not to testing involving continuous measurements as in routine metering, relaying, and normal line work.
NOTE to paragraph (1): Oregon OSHA considers routine inspection and maintenance measurements made by qualified employees to be routine line work not included in the scope of 437-002-2314 (Testing and Test Facilities), provided that the hazards related to the use of intrinsic high-voltage or high-power sources require only the normal precautions associated with routine work specified in the other paragraphs of this rule. Two typical examples of such excluded test work procedures are “phasing-out” testing and testing for a “no-voltage” condition.

(2)

General requirements.

(a)

The employer must establish and enforce work practices for the protection of each worker from the hazards of high-voltage or high-power testing at all test areas, temporary and permanent. Such work practices must include, as a minimum, test area safeguarding, grounding, the safe use of measuring and control circuits, and a means providing for periodic safety checks of field test areas.

(b)

The employer must ensure that each employee, upon initial assignment to the test area, receives training in safe work practices, with retraining provided as required by 437-002-2300 (General)(2).

(3)

Safeguarding of test areas.
(a)The employer must provide safeguarding within test areas to control access to test equipment or to apparatus under test that could become energized as part of the testing by either direct or inductive coupling and to prevent accidental employee contact with energized parts.

(b)

The employer must guard permanent test areas with walls, fences, or other barriers designed to keep employees out of the test areas.

(c)

In field testing, or at a temporary test site not guarded by permanent fences and gates, the employer must ensure the use of one of the following means to prevent employees without authorization from entering:

(A)

Distinctively colored safety tape supported approximately waist high with safety signs attached to it,

(B)

A barrier or barricade that limits access to the test area to a degree equivalent, physically and visually, to the barricade specified in paragraph (3)(c)(A) of this rule, or

(C)

One or more test observers stationed so that they can monitor the entire area.

(d)

The employer must ensure the removal of the safeguards required by paragraph (3)(c) of this rule when employees no longer need the protection afforded by the safeguards.

(4)

Grounding practices.

(a)

The employer must establish and implement safe grounding practices for the test facility.

(A)

The employer must maintain at ground potential all conductive parts accessible to the test operator while the equipment is operating at high voltage.

(B)

Wherever ungrounded terminals of test equipment or apparatus under test may be present, they must be treated as energized until tests demonstrate that they are deenergized.

(b)

The employer must ensure either that visible grounds are applied automatically, or that employees using properly insulated tools manually apply visible grounds, to the high-voltage circuits after they are deenergized and before any employee performs work on the circuit or on the item or apparatus under test. Common ground connections must be solidly connected to the test equipment and the apparatus under test.

(c)

In high-power testing, the employer must provide an isolated ground-return conductor system designed to prevent the intentional passage of current, with its attendant voltage rise, from occurring in the ground grid or in the earth. However, the employer need not provide an isolated ground-return conductor if the employer can demonstrate that both of the following conditions exist:

(A)

The employer cannot provide an isolated ground-return conductor due to the distance of the test site from the electric energy source, and

(B)

The employer protects employees from any hazardous step and touch potentials that may develop during the test.
NOTE to paragraph (4)(c)(B): See Appendix C to Division 2/RR for information on measures that employers can take to protect employees from hazardous step and touch potentials.

(d)

For tests in which using the equipment grounding conductor in the equipment power cord to ground the test equipment would result in greater hazards to test personnel or prevent the taking of satisfactory measurements, the employer may use a ground clearly indicated in the test set-up if the employer can demonstrate that this ground affords protection for employees equivalent to the protection afforded by an equipment grounding conductor in the power supply cord.

(e)

The employer must ensure that, when any employee enters the test area after equipment is deenergized, a ground is placed on the high-voltage terminal and any other exposed terminals.

(A)

Before any employee applies a direct ground, the employer must discharge high capacitance equipment through a resistor rated for the available energy.

(B)

A direct ground must be applied to the exposed terminals after the stored energy drops to a level at which it is safe to do so.

(f)

If the employer uses a test trailer or test vehicle in field testing, its chassis must be grounded. The employer must protect each employee against hazardous touch potentials with respect to the vehicle, instrument panels, and other conductive parts accessible to employees with bonding, insulation, or isolation.

(5)

Control and measuring circuits.

(a)

The employer may not run control wiring, meter connections, test leads, or cables from a test area unless contained in a grounded metallic sheath and terminated in a grounded metallic enclosure or unless the employer takes other precautions that it can demonstrate will provide employees with equivalent safety.

(b)

The employer must isolate meters and other instruments with accessible terminals or parts from test personnel to protect against hazards that could arise should such terminals and parts become energized during testing. If the employer provides this isolation by locating test equipment in metal compartments with viewing windows, the employer must provide interlocks to interrupt the power supply when someone opens the compartment cover.

(c)

The employer must protect temporary wiring and its connections against damage, accidental interruptions, and other hazards. To the maximum extent possible, the employer must keep signal, control, ground, and power cables separate from each other.

(d)

If any employee will be present in the test area during testing, a test observer must be present. The test observer must be capable of implementing the immediate deenergizing of test circuits for safety purposes.

(6)

Safety check.

(a)

Safety practices governing employee work at temporary or field test areas must provide, at the beginning of each series of tests, for a routine safety check of such test areas.

(b)

The test operator in charge must conduct these routine safety checks before each series of tests and must verify at least the following conditions:

(A)

Barriers and safeguards are in workable condition and placed properly to isolate hazardous areas;

(B)

System test status signals, if used, are in operable condition;

(C)

Clearly marked test-power disconnects are readily available in an emergency;

(D)

Ground connections are clearly identifiable;

(E)

Personal protective equipment is provided and used as required by Division 2/I, Division 3/E, and Division 2/RR; and

(F)

Proper separation between signal, ground, and power cables.

Source: Rule 437-002-2314 — Testing and Test Facilities, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=437-002-2314.

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 437-002-2314’s source at or​.us