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Subchapter 21. Telecommunication Safety Orders
Article 1. Telecommunications

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§8602. General.


(a) Illumination. Illumination shall be provided as needed to perform the work safely.
(1) Telecommunications Centers. Lighting in telecommunication centers shall be provided in an adequate amount such that continuing work operations, routine observations, and the passage of employees can be carried out in a safe and healthful manner. (See Section 3317 of the General Industry Safety Orders.) Additional lighting shall be provided as required for specific tasks.
(2) Field Work. Whenever natural light is inadequate, suitable artificial illumination shall be provided.
(b) Working Surfaces. Guardrails and toeboards may be omitted on distribution frame mezzanine platforms to permit access to equipment. This exemption applies only on the side or sides of the platform facing the frames and only on those portions of the platform adjacent to equipment frames.
(c) Working Spaces, Aisles. Working spaces provided by “maintenance aisles,” or “wiring aisles,” between equipment frame lineups in telecommunications centers shall not be considered as parts of egress required by Article 4 of the General Industry Safety Orders.
(d) Special Doors. When blastproof or power-actuated doors are installed in specially designed hardsite security buildings and spaces, they shall be designed and installed so that they can be used as a means of egress in emergencies.
(e) Medical and First Aid. First-aid supplies recommended by a consulting physician and/or as set forth in Section 1512 of Construction Safety Orders shall be maintained and shall be easily accessible.
(f) Hazardous Substances. All work involving hazardous substances shall comply with Group 16 of the General Industry Safety Orders. Highway Mobile Vehicles and Trailers may be equipped to carry more than one LP gas container provided all provisions of the Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders are complied with.
(g) Work Space. Suitable means shall be provided to permit employees to safely perform work on telecommunications equipment.
(h) Approach Distances to Exposed Energized Overhead Power Lines or Parts. The employer shall require that no employee approaches or takes any conductive object closer to any electrically energized overhead power lines or parts than prescribed in Table TC-1, unless:
(1) The employee is insulated or guarded from the energized parts (insulating gloves rated for the voltage involved shall be considered adequate insulation for the employee from the energized parts for voltage not to exceed 7,500 volts); or
(2) The energized parts are insulated or guarded from the employee and any other conductive object at a different potential; or
(3) The power conductors and equipment are de-energized and grounded.
Table TC-1
Alternating Current - Approach Distances to Exposed
Energized Overhead Power Lines and Parts by
Qualified Telecommunication Workers
Nominal Voltage Range
Approach Distances
(Phase to Phase, RMS)
(Inches)
300 V and less
Avoid contact
Over 300 V, not over 600 V
12
Over 600 V, not over 2kV
18
Over 2kV, not over 15kV
24
Over 15kV, not over 37kV
36
Over 37kV, not over 87.5kV
42
Over 87.5kV, not over 121kV
48
Over 121kV, not over 140kV
54
(i) Inclement Weather. Work from structures shall be discontinued when adverse weather such as high winds, ice on structures, or progress of an electrical storm in the immediate vicinity, makes the work unsafe.
Note: Authority and reference cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
HISTORY
1. Amendment filed 3-30-82; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 82, No. 14).
2. Amendment of subsection (h) - Table TC-1 filed 4-28-2014; operative 7-1-2014 (Register 2014, No. 18).

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