Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-45 - Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution › Section 296-45-255 - Protective equipment

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
			 Rubber protective equipment must be in accordance with and tested as follows:
Item
Standard
Rubber Insulating Gloves
(ASTM) D 120-2002
Rubber Matting for Use Around Electrical Apparatus
(ASTM) D 178-2001
Rubber Insulating Blankets
(ASTM) D 1048-1999
Rubber Insulating Hoods
(ASTM) D 1049-2002
Rubber Insulating Line Hose
(ASTM) D 1050-1999
Rubber Insulating Sleeves
(ASTM) D 1051-2002
(2) No
			 protective equipment or material other than rubber must be used: Provided, That
			 such other noncon-ductive equipment may be used if it provides equal or better
			 (dielectric) electrical and mechanical protection than rubber protective
			 equipment: Provided, That the employer obtain before placing in service,
			 manufacturer's data or other data to demonstrate that such nonrubber protective
			 equipment provided equal or better electrical and mechanical protection than
			 approved rubber equipment.
(3)
			 Protective equipment must not be used at voltages in excess of that for which
			 the manufacturer has supplied data to the employer demonstrating that it is fit
			 for such voltages.
(4) No
			 protective equipment must be modified, altered, or used for purposes other than
			 those for which it is designed unless and until the manufacturer has, in
			 writing, agreed or suggested that there be such modification, alteration, or
			 use.
(5) Each rubber glove before
			 it is used must be inspected for defects and an approved air test performed.
			 If, upon inspection, rubber gloves are either defective or appear to be
			 defective, they must not be used.
(6) Before being placed in service, all
			 rubber protective equipment must be numbered and records kept for test purposes
			 and assignment.
(7) Rubber
			 protective equipment must not be used unless it has been dielectrically tested
			 within six months and bears marking or identification of the date of the test
			 or the expiration date.
(8)
			 Protector gloves must be worn over insulating gloves.
Exception:
Protector gloves need not be used with Class 0 gloves,
						under limited-use conditions, where small equipment and parts manipulation
						necessitate unusually high finger dexterity.
Note:
Extra care is needed in the visual examination of the
						glove and in the avoidance of handling sharp objects.
(9)
			 Rubber gloves when not in use must be carried in an approved bag provided and
			 designed for that purpose. It must be provided by the employer and made
			 available to the employees.
(10)
			 Approved rubber gloves and carrying bag must be assigned to each employee who
			 works with, or is exposed to energized parts.
(11) Rubber protective equipment must not be
			 vulcanized or patched.
(12) A
			 compartment or box must be provided on each electric line truck, which box or
			 compartment must be used for storing rubber protective equipment. No equipment
			 must be stored in said compartment or box which can or could cause damage to
			 the rubber equipment or goods placed in the compartment or box. Additionally, a
			 separate container or compartment must be provided for rubber
			 blankets.
(13) Line hose must not
			 be doubled on themselves at any time. All blankets before storage must be wiped
			 clean and rolled, not folded, before being placed in the container or
			 box.
(14) Protective line equipment
			 of material other than rubber must be kept clean and visually inspected before
			 each use.
(15) If protective line
			 equipment of material other than rubber is found to be substantially defective
			 or unsuitable for the purpose for which it is designed and intended, said
			 pro-tective line equipment must not be used for personal protection of
			 employees as may be required in Table 2 of this chapter. Said protective line
			 equipment must be marked defective but may be otherwise used unless the defect
			 or damage to said protective line equipment creates additional safety
			 hazards.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				  49.17.010,
				  49.17.040,
				  49.17.050, and
				  49.17.060. 03-17-071, §
				  296-45-255, filed 8/19/03, effective 11/1/03; 98-07-009, § 296-45-255,
				  filed 3/6/98, effective 5/6/98.