(1)
Live-line tools must be used by employees when doing work on energized lines
and equipment in excess of 5,000 volts.
(2) Live-line tools must be used while
handling foreign objects that are in contact with high voltage equipment or
conductors energized in excess of 5,000 volts.
(3) Only live-line tools that are tested and
warranted by the manufacturer at the time of purchase to be adequate for the
voltage involved must be used.
(4)
Design of tools. Live-line tool rods, tubes, and poles must be designed and
constructed to withstand the following minimum tests:
(a) If the tool is made of
fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), it must withstand 328,100 volts per meter
(100,000 volts per foot) of length for 5 minutes, or
Note to paragraph (4)(a): Live-line tools using
rod and tube that meet ASTM F711-02 (2007), Standard Specification for
Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Rod and Tube Used in Live Line Tools, are
deemed to comply with paragraph (4) of this rule.
(b) If the tool is made of wood, it must
withstand 246,100 volts per meter (75,000 volts per foot) of length for 3
minutes, or
(c) The tool must
withstand other tests that the employer can demonstrate are equivalent.
(5) Condition of tools.
(a) Each live-line tool must be wiped clean
and visually inspected for defects before use each day.
(b) If any defect or contamination that could
adversely affect the insulating qualities or mechanical integrity of the
live-line tool is present after wiping, the tool must be removed from service
and examined and tested according to paragraph (5)(c) of this rule before being
returned to service.
(c) Live-line
tools used for primary employee protection must be removed from service every 2
years, and whenever required under paragraph (5)(b) of this rule, for
examination, cleaning, repair, and testing as follows:
(A) Each tool must be thoroughly examined for
defects.
(B) If a defect or
contamination that could adversely affect the insulating qualities or
mechanical integrity of the live-line tool is found, the tool must be repaired
and refinished or must be permanently removed from service. If no such defect
or contamination is found, the tool must be cleaned and waxed.
(C) The tool must be tested in accordance
with paragraphs (5)(c)(D) and (5)(c)(E) of this rule under the following
conditions:
(i) After the tool has been
repaired or refinished; and
(ii)
After the examination if repair or refinishing is not performed, unless the
tool is made of FRP rod or foam-filled FRP tube and the employer can
demonstrate that the tool has no defects that could cause it to fail during
use.
(D) The test
method used must be designed to verify the tool's integrity along its entire
working length and, if the tool is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, its
integrity under wet conditions.
(E) The voltage applied during the tests must
be as follows:
(i) 246,100 volts per meter
(75,000 volts per foot) of length for 1 minute if the tool is made of
fiberglass, or
(ii) 164,000 volts
per meter (50,000 volts per foot) of length for 1 minute if the tool is made of
wood, or
(iii) Other tests that
the employer can demonstrate are equivalent.
(d) Live-line tools may not be used when
rain, fog, or any other factor is sufficient to reduce their insulating
qualities so that leakage can be felt.
(e) Live-line tools must be kept in a dry
place. When transporting, they must be kept in separate special storage
compartments, or be contained in protective bags. They may not be laid directly
on the ground.
Note to paragraph (5) of this rule: Guidelines for
the examination, cleaning, repairing, and in-service testing of live-line tools
are specified in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' IEEE
Guide for Maintenance Methods on Energized Power Lines, IEEE Std
516-2009.
Notes
Or. Admin. Code
§
437-002-2309
OSHA
3-2015, f. 10-9-15, cert. ef.
1/1/2016
Stat. Auth.: ORS
654.025(2)
& 656.726(4)
Stats. Implemented: ORS
654.001 -
654.295
