WAC 296-54-529   Overhead electrical lines clearance.  One of the following conditions must exist in work areas where equipment or machines are operated near electrical distribution and transmission lines:

     (1) The lines have been deenergized and visibly grounded at the point of work;

     (2) Insulating barriers that are not a part of or an attachment to the equipment or machinery are erected to prevent physical contact with the lines; or

     (3) All of the following requirements are met:

	Line Voltage	Required minimum clearance between lines and any part of equipment or machine
(a)	50 kV or below	ten feet
(b)	over 50 kV	ten feet plus 0.4 inch for each 1 kV over 50 kV, or twice the length of the line insulator, but never less than ten feet
For equipment or machinery in transit with no load and any boom or extended equipment lowered:
(c)	50 kV or below	four feet
(d)	50-345 kV	ten feet
(e)	345-750 kV	sixteen feet

     (4) Someone must be designated to observe proper clearance and to give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to see well enough to maintain the clearance.

     (5) All overhead wires shall be considered energized unless the line owner or the electrical utility authorities ensure that it is not an energized line and has been visibly grounded.

     (6) Special precautions must be taken to prevent trees from falling into power lines. The employer must notify the power company immediately if a felled tree makes contact with any power line. Before falling any tree that appears will hit a power line, the employer must notify the power company. If a tree does contact a power line, all employees must remain clear of the area until the power company ensures that there is no electrical hazard.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040 and[49.17].050 . 99-17-117, amended and recodified as § 296-54-529, filed 8/18/99, effective 12/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.240, chapters 43.22 and 42.30 RCW. 80-11-057 (Order 80-15), § 296-54-527, filed 8/20/80. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.150 and 49.17.240. 79-10-081 (Order 79-14), § 296-54-527, filed 9/21/79.]