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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 20. Flammable Liquids, Gases and Vapors
Article 136. Dip Tanks
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§5438. Electrostatic Apparatus.


(a) The installation and use of electrostatic detearing equipment shall conform to all applicable provisions of this Section.

(b) Electrostatic apparatus and devices used in connection with paint detearing operations shall be of approved types.

(c) Transformers, high voltage supplies, control apparatus, and all other electrical portions of the equipment, with the exception of high voltage grids and their connections, shall be located outside the vapor area or shall conform to the requirements of the California Electrical Safety Orders.

(d) Electrodes shall be of substantial construction, shall be rigidly supported in permanent locations and shall be effectively insulated from ground. Insulators shall be nonporous and noncombustible.

(e) High voltage leads to electrodes shall be effectively and permanently supported on suitable insulators, and shall be effectively guarded against accidental contact or grounding. An automatic means shall be provided for grounding and discharging any accumulated residual charge on the electrode assembly or the secondary circuit of the high voltage transformer when the transformer primary is disconnected from the source of supply.

(f) A safe distance shall be maintained between goods being deteared and electrodes or conductors of at least twice the sparking distance. A suitable sign indicating this safe distance shall be conspicuously posted near the assembly.

(g) Goods being deteared using this process are to be supported on conveyors. The conveyors shall be so arranged as to maintain safe distances between the goods and the electrodes at all times. All goods shall be so supported as to prevent any swinging or movement which would reduce the clearance to less than specified in (f).

(h) This process is not approved where goods being deteared are manipulated by hand.

(i) Electrostatic apparatus shall be equipped with automatic controls which will operate without time delay to disconnect the power supply to the high voltage transformer and to signal the operator under any of the following conditions:

(1) Stoppage of ventilation fans or failure of ventilating equipment from any cause.

(2) Stoppage of the conveyor carrying goods past the high voltage grid.

(3) Occurrence of a ground or of an imminent ground at any point on the high voltage system.

(4) Reduction of clearance below that specified in (f).

(j) Fencing, railings or guards shall be so placed about the equipment that they, either by their location or character or both, assure that a safe isolation of the process is maintained from plant storage or personnel. Such railings, fencing and guards shall be grounded, and be at least 5 feet from processing equipment.

(k) Hazardous areas shall be posted.

(l) Electrode insulators shall be kept clean and dry.

(m) All areas for detearing shall be protected by automatic sprinklers or other approved automatic extinguishing equipment shall be provided.

(n) Drip plates and screens subject to paint deposits shall be removable and shall be taken to a safe place for cleaning.

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

HISTORY

1. Amendment filed 7-16-76; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 76, No. 29).

2. Amendment of subsection (j) filed 7-8-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 28).

3. Amendment of subsections (c), (j), (k) and (m) filed 12-5-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 51).

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