WAC 296-45-48525   Guarding of energized parts.  (1) Guards shall be provided around all live parts operating at more than 150 volts to ground without an insulating covering, unless the location of the live parts gives sufficient horizontal or vertical or a combination of these clearances to minimize the possibility of accidental employee contact.

Note:

Guidelines for the dimensions of clearance distances about electric equipment in generating stations are contained in American National Standard-National Electrical Safety Code, ANSI C2-1997. Installations meeting the ANSI provisions comply with this section. An installation that does not conform to this ANSI standard will, nonetheless, be considered as complying with this section if the employer can demonstrate that the installation provides sufficient clearance based on the following evidence:

     (a) That the installation conforms to the edition of ANSI C2 that was in effect at the time the installation was made;

     (b) That each employee is isolated from energized parts at the point of closest approach; and

     (c) That the precautions taken when work is performed on the installation provide protection equivalent to the protection that would be provided by horizontal and vertical clearances meeting ANSI C2-1997.

     (2) Except for fuse replacement or other necessary access by qualified persons, the guarding of energized parts within a compartment shall be maintained during operation and maintenance functions to prevent accidental contact with energized parts and to prevent tools or other equipment from being dropped on energized parts.

     (3) When guards are removed from energized equipment, barriers shall be installed around the work area to prevent employees who are not working on the equipment, but who are in the area, from contacting the exposed live parts.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 98-07-009, § 296-45-48525, filed 3/6/98, effective 5/6/98.]