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Subchapter 5. Electrical Safety Orders
Group 2. High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders
Article 40. Electronic News Gathering

§2982. Employee Training.

(a) Scope and Application:

(1) The requirements of this Section shall apply in addition to training required by General Industry Safety Orders, Section 3203(a)(7).

(2) Safety training shall be conducted at least annually for all personnel employed in electronic news gathering operations, including, but not limited to, all elements described in subsection 2982(b).

(3) Safety training shall be given to:

(A) Field personnel. All employees, including reporters, assigned to operate ENG vehicles or work in the proximity of ENG vehicles under field conditions.

(B) Supervisory personnel. All employees who assign or supervise field personnel, and those with field personnel under their immediate and direct control.

(4) Prior to permitting an employee to operate or work in the proximity of an ENG vehicle under field conditions, the employer shall ensure that such employee has successfully completed training required by this Section, including, but not limited to all elements described in Section 2982(b).

(A) EXCEPTION: Supervised operations performed during the actual training required by this Article.

(5) Prior to permitting an employee to assign or supervise field personnel as defined above, the employer shall ensure that such supervisory personnel has successfully completed training required by this Section including, but not limited to, all elements described in Section 2982(b).

(A) EXCEPTION: The requirements for training of supervisory personnel, as defined in subsection 2982(a)(3)(B), may be suspended during a major natural disaster or major civil emergency as necessary to permit compliance with Penal Code Section 409.5(d).

(b) Training.

(1) Employees shall be trained to understand the specific hazards associated with electrical energy in relationship to ENG vehicle operations. They shall be trained in safety-related work practices and procedural requirements as necessary to provide protection from electrical hazards. Employees shall be trained to identify and understand the relationship between electrical hazards and possible injury.

(2) The employer shall establish, implement, and maintain a written Code of Safe Practices for ENG operations. The written Code of Safe Practices shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following elements:

(A) Hazards common to ENG vehicles

1. Overhead power lines.

2. Downed power lines.

3. Step potential and touch potential.

4. Generators.

5. Carbon monoxide poisoning.

6. Wind, lightning, and other severe weather conditions.

(B) Safe ENG vehicle operation.

1. Pre-operation equipment inspection criteria.

2. Vehicle controls and equipment indicators.

3. Mast warning alarms required by Section 2981(d).

4. Operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of ENG vehicles to be used.

5. Differences between the ENG vehicle and an automobile.

(a) Steering and maneuvering.

(b) Vehicle stability.

1. Vehicle capacity and load limitations.

(D) Set-up procedure, including:

1. Site selection.

2. Hazards associated with vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

3. Preliminary site inspection (walk-around, walk away, look up).

4. Hazards associated with reduced visibility due to environmental conditions such as fog, smoke, snow, and darkness.

5. Environmental hazards including, but not limited to, harmful substances, and animal, insect, or plant life.

6. Mast and/or antenna operation, including instructions on safe mast deployment.

(E) Tear-down (pre-departure) procedure, including:

1. Lowering the mast/stowing the antenna.

2. Mast problems.

3. Storing and equipment tie-down.

4. Pre-departure site inspection (walk-around, walk away, look up) before moving the vehicle.

(F) Emergency protocol.

1. Emergency operation procedure.

(3) All training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience in ENG operations, consistent with the subject matter of Section 2982(b), to train ENG employees and to evaluate their competence.

(c) Documentation of employee training shall be maintained as required by Section 3203 of the General Industry Safety Orders.

NOTE

Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 11-18-2002; operative 12-18-2002 (Register 2002, No. 47).

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