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    Electrical Work in Confined Space

    Uploaded by

    Ravikant Pandey
    This document provides guidance on applying electrical work safety standards and confined space entry standards to electrical work. It summarizes that: 1) Chapter 296-45 WAC on electrical work contains some provisions that exceed general confined space standards or include special provisions for electrical work, and these must be cited rather than the general standards. 2) For underground electrical distribution work, an attendant is required on the surface per 296-45-205(7) rather than confined space entry permits. 3) For energized work in manholes or subways, two qualified workers are required per 296-45-65037(10) and 296-45-65038(4)(a). 4) Lockout

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Electrical Work in Confined Space

    Uploaded by

    Ravikant Pandey
    181 views3 pages
    This document provides guidance on applying electrical work safety standards and confined space entry standards to electrical work. It summarizes that: 1) Chapter 296-45 WAC on electrical work contains some provisions that exceed general confined space standards or include special provisions for electrical work, and these must be cited rather than the general standards. 2) For underground electrical distribution work, an attendant is required on the surface per 296-45-205(7) rather than confined space entry permits. 3) For energized work in manholes or subways, two qualified workers are required per 296-45-65037(10) and 296-45-65038(4)(a). 4) Lockout

    Original Description:

    Guidelines for working with electricity.

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    This document provides guidance on applying electrical work safety standards and confined space entry standards to electrical work. It summarizes that: 1) Chapter 296-45 WAC on electrical work contains some provisions that exceed general confined space standards or include special provisions for electrical work, and these must be cited rather than the general standards. 2) For underground electrical distribution work, an attendant is required on the surface per 296-45-205(7) rather than confined space entry permits. 3) For energized work in manholes or subways, two qualified workers are required per 296-45-65037(10) and 296-45-65038(4)(a). 4) Lockout

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    181 views3 pages

    Electrical Work in Confined Space

    Uploaded by

    Ravikant Pandey
    This document provides guidance on applying electrical work safety standards and confined space entry standards to electrical work. It summarizes that: 1) Chapter 296-45 WAC on electrical work contains some provisions that exceed general confined space standards or include special provisions for electrical work, and these must be cited rather than the general standards. 2) For underground electrical distribution work, an attendant is required on the surface per 296-45-205(7) rather than confined space entry permits. 3) For energized work in manholes or subways, two qualified workers are required per 296-45-65037(10) and 296-45-65038(4)(a). 4) Lockout

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    18.40

    Electrical Work
    & Confined Space
    Under WAC 296-45
    & 296-809
    Date Issued: September 18, 2006

    I.

    Background
    In May of 2004, the state of Washington adopted the clear rule writing version of the
    confined space standard, WAC 296-809, itself a re-write of the 1995 standard, which
    substantially changed the definition of confined space. The 1995 revision also made
    other significant changes, including the addition of a new requirement for permits in
    certain confined spaces where hazards could not be eliminated.
    Chapter 296-45 WAC (Safety Standards -- Electrical Workers) also contains some
    specific enclosed space practices in WAC 296-45-205 for the coverage of electrical
    construction work with regard to power distribution and transmission. In several areas
    this standard exceeds the general standard or includes special provisions.

    II.

    Scope and Application


    This WISHA Regional Directive, which remains in effect indefinitely, provides guidance
    to DOSH consultation and compliance staff in the appropriate application of Chapter
    296-45 WAC and Chapter 296-809 WAC, (including certain situations where the
    requirements of Chapter 296-45 WAC differ from -- and therefore supersede -- those of
    Chapter 296-809 WAC). This WRD replaces, but does not substantively change, the
    previous WRD 18.40, issued September 2, 2002, which is hereby rescinded.

    WRD 18.40

    III.

    Page 2 of 3

    Interpretive Guidance
    Inspectors and consultants must cite code violations of Chapter 296-45 WAC and
    Chapter 296-809 WAC, in reference to all confined space hazards, applying the standard
    appropriate to the hazard being cited.
    A.
    What are the requirements for underground and underground residential
    distribution electrical work?
    WAC 296-45-205(6) makes it clear that all provisions of WAC 296-809, apply whenever
    employees enter an enclosed space while it contains a hazardous atmosphere. For such
    spaces, any violations must be cited using the specific provisions in WAC 296-809.
    For other spaces where a hazard may exist, WAC 296-45-205(7) requires that for
    underground and underground residential distribution electrical work an attendant
    ("watchman") shall be kept at the surface. For such spaces, DOSH staff must cite
    violations for the lack of an attendant or for a failure to ensure that the attendant performs
    properly using WAC 296-45-205(7). Violations related to attendant duties can be
    supplemented by reference to the attendant duties in Chapter 296-809, but the
    requirements of Chapter 296-45 must provide the basis for the citation.
    B.
    What are the requirements while work is performed on energized wires, cables, or
    appliances?
    WAC 296-45-65037(10) and WAC 296-45-65038(4)(a) require two or more competent
    or qualified persons to be in the same manhole or subway while performing work on any
    energized wire, electrical cable or electrical appliance carrying more than 300 volts of
    electricity for underground and underground residential distribution.
    C.
    How should confined space requirements be applied to electrical workers where
    electrical hazards are present?
    Employers should be encouraged to eliminate all safety and health hazards for their
    confined space work. However, at times the electrical systems will be energized in the
    confined space due to the requirements of the electrical work in question.
    a.

    DOSH staff must not issue violations of Chapter 296-809 WAC, for the
    failure of electrical lockout-tagout during electrical work by the electrical
    contractor or utility. However, the appropriate violation under Chapter
    296-809 WAC, must be issued for any other safety and health hazards not
    eliminated or otherwise controlled so as to not pose a hazard to the
    electrical workers.

    b.

    Such confined space situations are permit-required confined space entries


    and alternative entry provisions of WAC 296-809-60002 cannot be used.

    WRD 18.40

    Page 3 of 3

    D.
    Are employers subject to Chapter 296-45 WAC required to use forced ventilation
    and atmospheric testing when working underground?
    Chapter 296-45-205(9) WAC allows forced ventilation or oxygen deficient testing prior
    to entry into underground manholes or unvented vaults and during entry work.
    Therefore, DOSH staff must not cite violations of Chapter 296-809 WAC, for a failure to
    perform both tasks.

    Approved: ______________________________________
    Stephen M. Cant, CIH, Assistant Director
    Department of Labor and Industries
    Division of Occupational Safety and Health

    For further information about this or other WISHA Regional Directives, you may contact
    DOSH Compliance Operations at P.O. Box 44650, Olympia, WA 98504-4650 -- or by telephone at (360) 902-5460.
    You also may review policy information on the DOSH website (http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/).

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