OAR 437-002-2316
Overhead Lines

(1)

General. This paragraph provides additional requirements for work performed on or near overhead lines and equipment.

(a)

The employer must determine if elevated structures such as poles or towers are capable of withstanding the additional or unbalanced stresses of climbing or equipment. If the pole or other structure cannot withstand the expected loads, the employer must brace or otherwise support the pole or structure to prevent failure.
Note to paragraph (1)(a): Appendix D to Division 2/RR contains test methods that employers can use to determine whether a wood pole is capable of sustaining the forces imposed by an employee climbing the pole. This paragraph also requires the employer to determine that the pole can sustain all other forces imposed by the work employees will perform.

(b)

When a pole is set, moved, or removed near an exposed energized overhead conductor, the pole may not contact the conductor.

(c)

Raising poles, towers, or fixtures close to high voltage conductors must be done under the supervision of a worker qualified for this work.

(d)

Conductive rigging (wire rope) may not be used to raise poles, transformers, and other equipment except when such rigging is below, protected, or at a sufficient distance from energized high voltage conductors to prevent hazardous contact.

(e)

When a pole is set, moved, or removed near an exposed energized overhead conductor, the employer must ensure that each employee wears electrical protective equipment or uses insulated devices when handling the pole and that no employee contacts the pole with uninsulated parts of their body.

(f)

To protect employees from falling into holes used for placing poles, the employer must physically guard the holes, or ensure that employees attend the holes, whenever anyone is working nearby.

(g)

Suitable guards and barriers must be erected so that workers or tools and equipment will not fall into or accidentally contact energized conductors or equipment.

(h)

Materials and tools other than belt tools for which the body belt is designed:

(A)

Must be raised or lowered by means of a suitable container or handline.

(B)

May not be thrown to or from employees working on poles or structures. When field conditions prevent the use of a handline or alternative method from being done safely, a designated drop zone must be established. Clear communication must occur to prevent employees from entering the zone while material is being dropped in a controlled manner.

(2)

Installing and removing overhead lines. The following provisions apply to the installation and removal of overhead conductors or cable (overhead lines).

(a)

When lines that employees are installing or removing can contact energized parts, the employer must use the tension-stringing method, barriers, or other equivalent measures to minimize the possibility that conductors and cables the employees are installing or removing will contact energized power lines or equipment.

(b)

For conductors, cables, and pulling and tensioning equipment, the employer must provide the protective measures required by 437-002-2315 (Mechanical Equipment) (4)(d) when employees are installing or removing a conductor or cable close enough to energized conductors that any of the following failures could energize the pulling or tensioning equipment or the conductor or cable being installed or removed:

(A)

Failure of the pulling or tensioning equipment,

(B)

Failure of the conductor or cable being pulled, or

(C)

Failure of the previously installed lines or equipment.

(c)

If the conductors that employees are installing or removing cross over energized conductors in excess of 600 volts and if the design of the circuit interrupting devices protecting the lines so permits, the employer must render inoperable the automatic-reclosing feature of these devices.

(d)

Before employees install lines parallel to existing energized lines, the employer must make a determination of the approximate voltage to be induced in the new lines, or work must proceed on the assumption that the induced voltage is hazardous. Unless the employer can demonstrate that the lines that employees are installing are not subject to the induction of a hazardous voltage or unless the lines are treated as energized, temporary protective grounds must be placed at such locations and arranged in such a manner that the employer can demonstrate will prevent exposure of each employee to hazardous differences in electric potential.
NOTE 1 to paragraph (2)(d): If the employer takes no precautions to protect employees from hazards associated with involuntary reactions from electric shock, a hazard exists if the induced voltage is sufficient to pass a current of 1 milliampere through a 500-ohm resistor. If the employer protects employees from injury due to involuntary reactions from electric shock, a hazard exists if the resultant current would be more than 6 milliamperes.
NOTE 2 to paragraph (2)(d): Appendix C to Division 2/RR rule contains guidelines for protecting employees from hazardous differences in electric potential as required by this paragraph.

(e)

Conductors being strung must not be allowed to slack enough to be in reach of traffic or pedestrians, unless guarded by flaggers or other suitable safeguards.

(f)

Reel-handling equipment, including pulling and tensioning devices, must be in safe operating condition and must be leveled and aligned.

(g)

When stringing or removing conductors under tension, sleeves must not be pulled through the bull wheel or the puller on the tension machine unless appropriate safeguards are taken.

(h)

A qualified employee, or an experienced person under the supervision of a qualified employee, must be placed in charge of the reels as the reel tender.

(i)

Reel handling equipment, including pulling, braking, and sagging equipment must be firmly anchored or secured during operations.

(j)

The employer must ensure that employees do not exceed load ratings of stringing lines, pulling lines, conductor grips, load-bearing hardware and accessories, rigging, and hoists.

(k)

When replacing a conductor with a new or larger conductor, the conductor being removed may not be used to pull in the new one unless the one being removed has been carefully inspected for its entire length and then adjudged to have adequate strength.

(l)

The employer must repair or replace defective pulling lines and accessories.

(m)

Each pull must be snubbed or dead ended at both ends before subsequent pulls.

(n)

The employer must ensure that employees do not use conductor grips on wire rope unless the manufacturer specifically designed the grip for this application.

(o)

The employer must ensure that employees maintain reliable communications, through two-way radios or other equivalent means, between the reel tender and the pulling rig operator.

(p)

Employees may operate the pulling rig only when it is safe to do so.
NOTE to paragraph (2)(p): Examples of unsafe conditions include: employees in locations prohibited by paragraph (2)(q) of this rule, conductor and pulling line hang-ups, and slipping of the conductor grip.

(q)

While a power-driven device is pulling the conductor or pulling line and the conductor or pulling line is in motion, the employer must ensure that employees are not directly under overhead operations or on the cross arm, except as necessary for the employees to guide the stringing sock or board over or through the stringing sheave.

(3)

Live-line bare-hand work is prohibited.

(4)

Towers and structures. The following requirements apply to work performed on towers or other structures that support overhead lines.

(a)

The employer must ensure that no employee is under a tower or structure while work is in progress, except when the employer can demonstrate that such a working position is necessary to assist employees working above.

(b)

The employer must ensure that employees use tag lines or other similar devices to maintain control of tower rules being raised or positioned, unless the employer can demonstrate that the use of such devices would create a greater hazard to employees.

(c)

The employer must ensure that employees do not detach the loadline from a member or rule until they safely secure the load.

(d)

The employer must ensure that, except during emergency restoration procedures, employees discontinue work when adverse weather conditions would make the work hazardous in spite of the work practices required by this rule.
NOTE to paragraph (4)(d): Thunderstorms in the vicinity, high winds, snow storms, and ice storms are examples of adverse weather conditions that make this work too hazardous to perform even after the employer implements the work practices required by this rule.

Source: Rule 437-002-2316 — Overhead Lines, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=437-002-2316.

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 437-002-2316’s source at or​.us