OAR 437-003-0047
Working Near Overhead High Voltage Lines and Equipment

(1)

Definitions.

(a)

Insulating Barrier or Guard. A structure, installation, barrier, or guard (such as a wall, fence, pole, shield, or something similar) that stops movement and prevents all possible contact with the lines or equipment. Its design, material composition, and installation prevents possible conduction of electricity up to the maximum voltage of the system.

(b)

Restricted Space.

(A)

For lines rated more than 600 V to 50 kV, restricted space extends 10 feet in all directions from the surface of the line or equipment.

(B)

For lines rated over 50 kV, restricted space extends 10 feet plus 0.4 inch for each 1 kV over 50 kV, or twice the length of the insulator (but never less than 10 feet) in all directions from the surface of the line or equipment.

(C)

For equipment or structures in transit, on level surfaces, restricted space extends 4 feet in all directions from lines or equipment rated 50 kV or less, 10 feet in all directions for lines or equipment rated over 50 kV, and 16 feet in all directions for lines or equipment rated over 345 kV up to and including 750 kV.

(c)

Proper Notification. The person(s) responsible for the planned activity must notify the owner/operator of the line or equipment, at their business office, at least 2 business days prior to the anticipated beginning of work (business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal and state holidays). The notification must include:

(A)

The proposed date to start activity within restricted space;

(B)

The location of the planned activity;

(C)

A description of the planned activity; and

(D)

Name and contact information of the contact person.

(2)

General requirement. Do not enter, perform any function or activity (such as handling, erecting, operating, transporting, or storing any tools, equipment or materials, moving a building or structure) within the restricted space surrounding an overhead high voltage line or equipment unless:

(a)

You are the owner, an authorized employee, or authorized (in writing) agent of the overhead high voltage system: or

(b)

Proper notification is provided; and

(A)

The line and/or equipment is de-energized and visibly grounded by the owner of the high voltage system or their authorized agent; or

(B)

Accidental contact is effectively prevented by use of insulating barriers or guards. Barriers or guards must:
(i)
Be erected or installed by the owner of the high voltage system or their authorized agent;
(ii)
Not be attached to, or be part of the lines, equipment, or machinery;
NOTE: Overhead line covers are only for visual reference, and their use does not allow entry into restricted space. If used, they must be installed by the owner of the high voltage system or their authorized agent.
(iii)
Prevent all possible contact with the lines or equipment; and
(iv)
Insulate against the system’s maximum voltage; or

(c)

Insulated lines (not tree wire) and equipment (designed and engineered to allow only incidental contact) are erected or installed by the owner of the high voltage system or their authorized agent.
NOTE: Nothing in this standard shifts the responsibility for safe and healthy working conditions from the person(s) responsible for the activity to the owner of the lines or their agent.
NOTE: Nothing in this standard mandates that the owner of the lines or equipment, or their authorized agent must agree to de-energize, move, barricade, guard, or insulate lines or equipment, or take other action to allow entry into restricted space.

(3)

Do not move, reposition, or reduce restricted space in any direction by applying stress or force to a line, equipment, or supporting structure.

(4)

Operation of machinery or equipment.

(a)

Do not enter restricted space when using insulating links or proximity warning devices on equipment.

(b)

Post a warning sign on each piece of equipment which is capable of vertical, lateral, or swinging motion, such as a crane, derrick, power shovel, drilling rig, or pile driver.

(A)

The sign must be made of durable material.

(B)

It must be in clear view of the operator.

(C)

The message must be legible to the operator when at the controls.

(D)

The message must be understood by the operator.

(E)

The message must clearly convey that it is “Unlawful to operate the piece of equipment within 10 feet of high voltage lines”.

(c)

Use an observer to provide audible warning (able to be clearly heard over surrounding noise) when it becomes difficult for an operator to identify restricted space by using visual means. The observer’s only task is to watch the clearance and warn the operator if it appears that restricted space will be breached.

(d)

Restrict, barricade, or otherwise make it impossible for a machine or piece of equipment to reach into restricted space if it is reasonable to anticipate that the operator’s attention may be focused on the work process rather than the location of an overhead high voltage line or equipment (such as during excavating, or other fast-paced, repetitive work).

(5)

Railway and commuter systems

(a)

Standard rail equipment used to transport freight and/or passengers, and relief trains or other equipment used in emergencies, may enter restricted space surrounding high voltage lines or equipment.

(b)

Qualified employees, authorized and supervised by a person familiar with the hazards of the railway high voltage system, may perform normal repair or construction work within restricted space prior to compliance with the clearance and safeguard requirements in sections (1) through (4).

Source: Rule 437-003-0047 — Working Near Overhead High Voltage Lines and Equipment, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=437-003-0047.

437‑003‑0001
Adoption by Reference 437‑003‑0003
Purpose 437‑003‑0005
Additional Applicability 437‑003‑0006
General Oregon Definitions 437‑003‑0007
Additional Rules of Practice for Administrative Adjudications 437‑003‑0011
Additional Definitions 437‑003‑0015
Drinking Water 437‑003‑0017
Additional Definitions to Concrete and Masonry Construction 437‑003‑0020
Toilets 437‑003‑0027
Applicable Rules 437‑003‑0037
Acceptable Equipment 437‑003‑0045
Additional Definitions 437‑003‑0047
Working Near Overhead High Voltage Lines and Equipment 437‑003‑0062
Lead Respiratory Protection Program 437‑003‑0065
Extension Ladders 437‑003‑0071
Manually Propelled Elevating Aerial Platforms 437‑003‑0073
Boom Supported Elevating Work Platforms 437‑003‑0074
Scissor Lifts — Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms 437‑003‑0080
Wind Velocity Device 437‑003‑0085
General Requirement 437‑003‑0090
Pinchpoints 437‑003‑0094
Personnel Platforms 437‑003‑0096
Underground Installations 437‑003‑0134
Personal Protective Equipment 437‑003‑0404
Branch Circuits 437‑003‑0420
Traffic Control 437‑003‑0502
Personal Fall Restraint 437‑003‑0503
Training Requirements 437‑003‑0706
Protection of Employees On or Near Masonry Walls 437‑003‑0752
Site-Specific Erection Plan 437‑003‑0753
Tag Lines 437‑003‑0761
Additional Training Requirements 437‑003‑0905
Flooring 437‑003‑0910
Temporary Floors 437‑003‑0915
Shoring, Bracing or Guying of Structures 437‑003‑0920
Project Plans 437‑003‑0925
Powder-Actuated Tools 437‑003‑1000
Oregon Rules for Air Contaminants 437‑003‑1101
Asbestos Respiratory Protection Program 437‑003‑1127
Cadmium Respiratory Protection Program 437‑003‑1423
Fall Protection 437‑003‑1500
Additional Definitions 437‑003‑1501
Fall Protection 437‑003‑1502
Warning Line Systems for Roofing Work 437‑003‑1752
Written Notifications 437‑003‑1754
Roof and floor holes and openings 437‑003‑2501
Protection From Falling Objects 437‑003‑2502
Safety Monitoring Systems 437‑003‑3060
Methylenedianiline Respiratory Protection Program 437‑003‑3224
Vehicle Drivers and Riders 437‑003‑3225
Vehicles for Highway and Road Operation Characteristics and Maintenance 437‑003‑3226
Vehicles for Use on Property Other Than Public Roads and Highways Operation, Characteristics and Maintenance 437‑003‑3600
Equipment
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 437-003-0047’s source at or​.us