reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22525 - Training

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Employers must
				provide, document, and ensure that employees have received effective training
				in all of the processes, procedures, precautions, hazards, equipment, personal
				protective equipment, and safe work practices pertaining to this chapter and
				job assignments. The employer must ensure that employees do not engage in any
				activities related to this chapter and job assignments until the employees have
				received proper training.
(2) An
				employer may accept training records or certificates for previous training if
				the employer:
(a) Confirms the employee has
				the current training and knowledge applicable to the new employee's job duties,
				specific procedures, and equipment being used as required by this
				chapter.
(b) Uses an examination or
				interview to make an initial determination that the employee understands the
				relevant safety related work practices before the employee performs any work
				covered by this chapter.
(c)
				Supervises the employee closely until that employee has demonstrated
				proficiency as required by this chapter.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22530 - Employee protection in public work areas

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Before work begins in the vicinity of
				vehicular or pedestrian traffic that may endanger employees:
(a) Traffic control signs, devices, and
				barriers must be positioned and used according to the requirements of chapter
				296-155 WAC, Part E.
(b) When
				flaggers are used, employers, responsible contractors and/or project owners
				must comply with the requirements of WAC
				296-155-305.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22535 - Facilities requirements

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				Buildings containing telecommunications facilities. See Table 1.
(a) Illumination. Lighting in
				telecommunication facilities must be provided in an amount such that continuing
				work operations, routine observations, and the passage of employees can be
				carried out in a safe and healthful manner.
(b) For specific tasks in facilities, such as
				splicing cable and the maintenance and repair of equipment frame lineups, the
				employer must install permanent lighting or portable supplemental lighting to
				attain a higher level of illumination.
(c) Minimum standards of illumination for
				industrial interiors must comply with WAC
				296-800-210.
(d) Illumination of field work. Whenever
				natural light is insufficient to illuminate the worksite, artificial
				illumination must be provided to enable the employee to perform the work
				safely.
Table 1
Lighting Table
Activity
Minimum acceptable average lighting level in an
							 area:
(Foot-candles)
Any one single measurement used to determine the
							 average lighting level* cannot be less than:
(Foot-candles)
Indoor task
10
5
Outdoor task
5
2.5
Nontask activities for both indoor and
							 outdoor
3
1.5
* Lighting levels must be measured at thirty inches above the
				  floor/working surface at the task.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22540 - Tools and personal protective equipment-General

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Personal protective equipment (PPE) -
				Hazard assessment. The employer must identify hazards or potential hazards in
				the workplace and determine if PPE is necessary on the job as required by WAC
				296-800-16005
				and
				296-800-16010.
(2) PPE, protective devices and special tools
				needed for the work of employees must be provided and the employer must ensure
				that they are used by employees.
(a) PPE must
				be provided at no cost to the employee. See WAC
				296-800-16020,
				Table-X: Employer responsibility for providing PPE.
(b) Before each day's use the employer must
				ensure that these personal protective devices, tools, and equipment are
				carefully inspected by a competent person to ascertain that they are in good
				condition.
(c) Tools found to be
				defective must be taken out of service.
(d) Metal tapes, ladders and ropes.
(i) Metal measuring tapes, metal ladders,
				metal measuring ropes, or tapes containing conductive strands must not be used
				when working near exposed energized parts.
(ii) Where it is necessary to measure
				clearances from energized parts, only nonconductive devices must be
				used.
(e) The use of any
				machinery, tool, material, or equipment which is not in compliance with any
				applicable requirements of this chapter is prohibited. Such machinery, tool,
				material, or equipment must either be identified as unsafe by tagging or
				locking the controls to render them inoperable or must be physically removed
				from its place of operation.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22545 - Capstan and cathead hoists

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
This section is to provide the minimum requirements for using
				  a capstan hoist for overhead lifting or horizontal pulling during the
				  construction and/or maintenance of communication equipment.
(1) All capstan hoist mechanisms must meet
				the applicable requirements for design, construction, installation, testing,
				inspection, maintenance and operations as prescribed by the manufacturer or the
				qualified person designing the system.
(2) Catheads or capstans must not be used to
				raise or lower personnel or to lift loads directly over personnel that are not
				directly involved with the lift.
(3) Training. Individuals operating a capstan
				hoist must be qualified through documented training and demonstrated
				proficiency. Training must include, but not be limited to, the following
				elements:
(a) Anchorage loading;
(b) Load testing;
(c) Electrical loading;
(d) Capstan load rating;
(e) Types of synthetic rope;
(f) Synthetic rope breaking strengths and
				safety factors;
(g) Synthetic rope
				inspection;
(h) Synthetic rope
				knots;
(i) Capstan head alignment;
(j) Inspection and
				maintenance;
(k) Tag line
				force;
(l) Solving overlap
				problems.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22550 - Rubber insulating equipment

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Rubber insulating equipment designed for
				the voltage levels to be encountered must be provided and the employer must
				ensure that they are used by employees as required by this section. The
				requirements of WAC
				296-24-980
				Safeguards for personnel protection, must be followed except for Table
				2.
(2) The employer is responsible
				for periodic retesting of all insulating gloves, blankets, and other rubber
				insulating equipment. This retesting must be electrical, visual and mechanical.
				The following maximum retesting intervals must apply:
Table 2
Gloves, Blankets and Other Insulating
							 Equipment
Natural Rubber (Months)
Synthetic Rubber (Months)
New
Reissued
12
9
18
15
(3)
				Protector for gloves. Approved protectors must be worn at all times over rubber
				gloves. Inner liners may be worn if desired.
Exception:
Protector gloves need not be used with
						  Class O gloves, under limited-use conditions less than 250 volts, 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.
(4)
				Gloves and blankets must be marked to indicate compliance with the retest
				schedule and must be marked with the date the next test date is due. Any rubber
				gloves found to be defective must be removed from service and marked as being
				defective.
(5) Patching rubber
				goods is prohibited; rubber protective equipment must not be vulcanized or
				patched.
(6) A pair of rubber
				gloves must be issued and assigned to each employee when required to work on or
				be exposed to energized parts. Employees must not use or share gloves issued to
				another employee.
(7) 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.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22555 - General fall protection

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				The employer must ensure that all surfaces on which employees will be working
				or walking on are structurally sound and will support them safely prior to
				allowing employees to work or walk on them.
(2) Inspection criteria.
(a) All components (including hardware,
				lanyards, and positioning harnesses or full body harnesses depending on which
				system is used) of personal fall arrest systems, personal fall restraint
				systems and positioning device systems must be inspected prior to each use
				according to manufacturer's specifications for mildew, wear, damage, and other
				deterioration. Defective components must be removed from service if their
				function or strength has been adversely affected.
(b) Safety nets must be inspected at least
				once a week according to manufacturer's specifications for wear, damage, and
				other deterioration. Safety nets must also be inspected after any occurrence
				which could affect the integrity of the safety net system. Defective components
				must be removed from service. Defective nets must not be used.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22560 - Ladders

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The employer
				must ensure that no employee nor any material or equipment must be supported or
				permitted to be supported on any portion of a ladder unless it is first
				determined, by inspections and checks conducted by a competent person that such
				ladder is free of defects, in good condition and secured in place.
(2) The spacing between steps or rungs
				permanently installed on poles and towers must be no more than eighteen inches
				(thirty-six inches on any one side). This requirement also applies to fixed
				ladders on towers, when towers are so equipped. Spacing between steps must be
				uniform above the initial unstepped section, except where working, standing, or
				access steps are required. Fixed ladder rungs and step rungs for poles and
				towers must have a minimum diameter of 5/8 inch. Fixed ladder rungs must have a
				minimum clear width of twelve inches. Steps for poles and towers must have a
				minimum clear width of 4 1/2 inches. The spacing between detachable steps may
				not exceed thirty inches on any one side, and these steps must be secured when
				in use.
(3) Portable wood ladders
				intended for general use must not be painted, but may be coated with a
				translucent noncon-ductive coating. Portable wood ladders must not be
				longitudinally reinforced with metal.
(4) Portable wood and fiberglass ladders that
				are not being carried on vehicles and are not in active use must be stored
				where they will not be exposed to the elements and where there is good
				ventilation.
(5) Aluminum or
				conductive ladders may not be used on a work site that contains potential
				electrical hazards.
(6) Rolling
				ladders.
(a) Rolling ladders used in
				telecommunication facilities must have a width between the side rails, inside
				to inside, of at least twelve inches.
(b) Except in working spaces that are not a
				means of egress, the ladders must have a minimum inside width, between the side
				rails, of at least eight inches.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22565 - Vehicle-mounted material handling devices and other mechanical equipment

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) General. The
				applicable operator/owner safety manual for vehicle-mounted material handling
				devices and other mechanical equipment must be followed. The manufacturer's
				operator's instructional manual must be kept on the vehicle.
(a) The operation of all motor vehicles and
				trailers must be in conformance with the motor vehicle laws, the general safety
				and health standards of the state of Washington and all local traffic
				ordinances.
(b) The employer must
				ensure that prior to use, visual inspections are made of the equipment by a
				competent person/operator each day the equipment is to be used to ascertain
				that it is in good condition.
(c)
				The employer must ensure that tests will be made at the beginning of each shift
				by a competent person to ensure the vehicle brakes and all operating systems
				are in proper working condition.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22570 - Communication, roof tops, water towers and other elevated locations

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
For fall protection, guardrails and warning lines follow the
				  requirements in WAC 296-32-22555 of this chapter.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22572 - Microwave transmission/radio frequency radiation (RFR) and laser communication- General requirements

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				General. Employers must ensure that employees performing work on communication
				sites/facilities are not exposed to radio frequency (RFR) electromagnetic
				fields in excess of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maximum
				permissible exposure (MPE) limits for exposure as prescribed in
				47 C.F.R.
				1.1310.
Note:
See chart in WAC
						  296-32-210 under the
						  definition of "nonionizing radiation (RFR)."
(2)
				RF safety program. The employer must establish and maintain a program for the
				control and monitoring of nonionizing radiation hazards. This program must
				provide employees adequate supervision, training, facilities, equipment, and
				supplies, for the control and assessment of nonionizing hazards.
(3) Prior to commencing work where there are
				potential RFR hazards, a competent person must assess potential RFR hazards of
				areas which may be accessed by employees in the course of their work, and post
				temporary signage to indicate areas where the RFR hazard exceeds the general
				population/uncontrolled MPE limits for exposure set forth in
				47 C.F.R.
				1.1310. Temporary signage must remain in
				place while work is performed and the hazard exists.
Note:
Temporary signage posting areas may include
						  doorways, gates, or hatches.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 296-32-22576 - Optical communications systems (laser)

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Laser radiation permissible exposure
				limits.
(2) All lasers and laser
				systems must be classified in accordance with the Federal Laser Product
				Performance Standards (
				21 C.F.R. 1040.10
				) or, in accordance with ANSI Z136.2-2012 and ANSI Z136.1-2014.
(a) Class I laser systems that are considered
				to be incapable of producing damaging radiation levels during operation and are
				thereby exempt from control measures or other forms of surveillance.
(b) Class 1M laser systems that are
				considered to be incapable of producing hazardous exposure conditions during
				normal operations unless the beam is viewed with an optical instrument such as
				eye-loupe (diverging beam) or telescope (collimated beam) and are, thereby
				exempt from other forms of surveillance.
(c) Class II laser systems emit in the
				visible portion of the spectrum (0.4 µm to 0.7 µm) and eye
				protection is normally afforded by aversion responses, including the blink
				reflex. There is some possibility of injury if stared at.
(d) Class IIM laser systems emit in the
				visible portion of the spectrum (0.4 µm to 0.7 µm) and eye
				protection is normally afforded by aversion responses (blink reflex) for
				unaided viewing, but are potentially hazardous if viewed with certain optical
				aids.
(e) Class IIIR laser systems
				have reduced product safety requirements and represent a transitional zone
				between safe and hazardous laser products.
(f) Class IIIB laser systems may be hazardous
				under direct and specular reflection viewing conditions, but the diffuse
				reflection is usually not a hazard. Class IIIB laser systems are normally not a
				fire hazard.
(g) Class IV (high
				power) laser systems are hazardous to the eye and skin from the direct beam,
				and sometimes from a diffuse reflection, and can also be a fire hazard. Class
				IV systems require the use of controls that prevent exposure of the eye and
				skin to specular or diffuse reflections of the beam.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23510 - Materials handling and storage

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Poles.
(a) When working with poles in piles or
				stacks, work must be performed from the ends of the poles and precautions must
				be taken for the safety of employees at the other end of the pole.
(b) During pole hauling operations, all loads
				must be secured to prevent displacement. Lights, reflectors and/or flags must
				be displayed on the end and sides of the load as required by the department of
				transportation.
(c) The
				requirements for installation, removal, or other handling of poles in pole
				lines are prescribed in WAC
				296-32-23516 and
				296-32-23518
				which pertains to overhead lines.
(d) The operator must not leave their
				position at the controls (while a load is suspended), unless the hoisting
				machinery is equipped with a positive locking system and for the sole purpose
				of assisting in positioning the load prior to landing it.
(e) Prior to unloading steel, poles,
				crossarms, and similar material, the load must be thoroughly examined to
				ascertain that the load has not shifted, that binders or stakes have not
				broken, and that the load is not otherwise hazardous to employees.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23512 - Cable fault locating and testing

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Employees involved in cable fault
				locating and testing must be instructed in the precautions necessary for their
				own safety and the safety of other employees.
(2) Before voltage is applied to equipment
				not isolated, all possible precautions must be taken to ensure that no employee
				can make contact with the energized conductors under test.
(3) Only trained and authorized personnel
				must repair and test medium and high voltage equipment.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23514 - Grounding for employee protection-Pole lines

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Power conductors. Electric power
				conductors and equipment must be considered energized until the utility or
				utility representative has verified to the telecommunications
				employer/employee(s) on-site that the line(s) have been deenergized and
				grounded as listed in subsection (4) of this section. Guidance on grounding for
				the protection of employees is found in WAC
				296-45-345
				and must be followed and verified complete before a line can be considered
				deenergized.
(2) Nonworking open
				wire. Nonworking open wire communications lines must be bonded to one of the
				grounds listed in subsection (4) of this section.
(3) Vertical power conduit, power ground
				wires and street light fixtures.
(a) Metal
				power conduit on joint use poles, exposed vertical power ground wires, and
				street light fixtures which are below communications attachments or less than
				twenty inches above these attachments, must be considered energized and must be
				tested for voltage unless the employee can visually determine that they are
				bonded to the communications suspension strand or cable sheath.
(b) If no hazardous voltage is shown by the
				voltage test, a temporary bond must be placed between such street light
				fixture, exposed vertical power grounding conductor, or metallic power conduit
				and the communications cable strand. Temporary bonds used for this purpose must
				have sufficient conductivity to carry at least five hundred amperes for a
				period of one second without fusing.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23516 - Overhead lines

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Handling
				suspension strand.
(a) When pulling strand off
				a reel trailer more than two spans there must be a reel tender.
(b) There must be reliable communications
				between the employee pulling strand and the reel tender.
(c) The employer must ensure that when
				handling cable suspension strand which is being installed on poles carrying
				exposed energized power conductors, that all employees that may be exposed, to
				include the reel tender, must wear insulating gloves, suitable for voltage
				levels that may be encountered, and must avoid body contact with the strand
				until after it has been tensioned, dead-ended and permanently
				grounded.
(d) The strand must be
				restrained against upward movement during installation:
(i) On joint-use poles, where there is an
				upward change in grade at the pole; and
(ii) On nonjoint-use poles, where the line
				crosses under energized power conductors.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23518 - Wood or other types of poles

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Need for testing wood poles. Unless
				temporary guys or braces are attached, the following poles must be tested in
				accordance with subsection (2) of this section and determined to be safe before
				employees are permitted to climb them:
Note:
When work is to be performed on a wood
						  pole, it is important to determine the condition of the pole before it is
						  climbed. The weight of the employee, the weight of equipment being installed,
						  and other working stresses (such as the removal or retensioning of conductors)
						  can lead to the failure of a defective pole or one that is not designed to
						  handle the additional stresses. For these reasons, it is essential that an
						  inspection and test of the condition of a wood pole be performed before it is
						  climbed.
(a) Dead-end
				poles, except properly braced or guyed "Y" or "T" cable junction
				poles;
(b) Straight line poles
				which are not storm guyed and where adjacent span lengths exceed one hundred
				sixty-five feet;
(c) Poles at which
				there is a downward change in grade and which are not guyed or braced corner
				poles or cable junction poles;
(d)
				Poles which support only telephone drop wire; and
(e) Poles which carry less than ten
				communications line wires. On joint use poles, one power line wire must be
				considered as two communication wires.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23520 - Telecommunications line tree trimming and emergency work

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) General.
(a) Employees engaged in pruning, trimming,
				removing, or clearing trees from lines must be required to consider all
				overhead and underground electrical power conductors to be energized with
				potentially fatal voltages, never to be touched (contacted) either directly or
				indirectly and comply with Table 7 of this section for minimum approach
				distances.
(b) Line clearance tree
				trimming operations exposing employees to electrical hazards must be addressed
				by qualified line clearance tree trimmers covered under chapter 296-45
				WAC.
(c) Employees engaged in
				line-clearing operations must be instructed that:
(i) A direct contact is made when any part of
				the body touches or contacts an energized conductor, or other energized
				electrical fixture or apparatus.
(ii) An indirect contact is made when any
				part of the body touches any object in contact with an energized electrical
				conductor, or other energized fixture or apparatus.
(iii) An indirect contact can be made through
				conductive tools, tree branches, truck equipment, or other objects, or as a
				result of communications wires, cables, fences, or guy wires being accidentally
				energized.
(iv) Electric shock will
				occur when an employee, by either direct or indirect contact with an energized
				conductor, energized tree limb, tool, equipment, or other object, provides a
				path for the flow of electricity to a grounded object or to the ground itself.
				Simultaneous contact with two energized conductors will also cause electric
				shock which may result in serious or fatal injury.
(d) Before any work is performed in proximity
				to energized conductors, the system operator/owner of the energized conductors
				must be contacted to ascertain if they know of any hazards associated with the
				conductors which may not be readily apparent. This rule does not apply when
				operations are performed by the system operator/owner.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23522 - Line patrol and work on aerial plants

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
A minimum of two persons, one of whom must be a qualified
				  person, must be used for line patrol duty at night when observing the overhead
				  line and driving the vehicle must be done simultaneously. If repair to lines or
				  equipment is found to be of such nature as to require two qualified employees,
				  work shall not proceed until additional help has been obtained provided that in
				  cases of emergency where delay would increase the danger to life, limb, or
				  substantial property, one employee may clear the hazard without assistance.
				  Whenever natural light is insufficient to illuminate the worksite, artificial
				  illumination must be provided to enable the employee to perform the work
				  safely.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23523 - Storm work and emergency conditions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Since storm work and emergency conditions
				create special hazards, only authorized representatives of the electric utility
				system operator/owner or a qualified tree trimmer per chapter 296-45 WAC and
				not telecommunication employees may perform tree work in these situations where
				energized electrical power conductors are involved.
(2) When an emergency condition develops due
				to tree operations, work must be suspended and the electric utility system
				operator/owner must be notified immediately.
(3) Telecommunication employers must not
				allow their employees to perform any storm damage work until given the all
				clear that it is safe to enter an area by the electrical utility system
				operator/owner.
(4) During storm
				damage recovery operations and after the utility has given the all clear, all
				employees working on communications suspension strand and conductive cables
				must use insulated gloves and an approved voltage detector (20 kV) to test for
				voltage.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23524 - Underground lines and cable vaults

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Underground/buried communication lines.
(1) No employer shall permit an employee to
				work in such proximity to any part of an electric power circuit that the
				employee could contact the electric power circuit in the course of work, unless
				the employee is protected against electric shock by deenergizing the circuit
				and grounding it or by guarding it effectively by insulation or other
				means.
(2) No person, firm,
				corporation, or agent of same, shall require or permit any employee to perform
				any function in proximity to electrical conductors or to engage in any
				excavation, construction, demolition, repair, or other operation, unless and
				until danger from accidental contact with said electrical conductors has been
				effectively guarded by deener-gizing the circuit and grounding it or by
				guarding it by effective insulation or other effective means.
(3) In work areas where the exact location of
				underground electric powerlines is unknown, no activity which may bring
				employees into contact with those powerlines must begin until the powerlines
				have been positively and unmistakably deenergized and grounded.
(4) Before work is begun the employer must
				ascertain by inquiry or direct observation, or by instruments, whether any part
				of an energized electric power circuit, exposed or concealed, is so located
				that the performance of the work may bring any person, tool, or machine into
				physical or electrical contact with the electric power circuit. The employer
				must post and maintain proper warning signs where such a circuit exists. The
				employer must advise employees of the location of such lines, the hazards
				involved, and the protective measures to be taken.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23526 - Directional boring machines

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				Surface encumbrances. All surface encumbrances that are located so as to create
				a hazard to employees must be removed or supported, as necessary, to safeguard
				employees.
(2) Underground
				installations.
(a) The location of utility
				installations, such as sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any
				other underground installations that reasonably may be expected to be
				encountered during excavation work, must be located prior to opening an
				excavation.
(b) Utility companies
				or owners must be contacted within established or customary local response
				times, advised of the proposed work, and asked to locate the underground
				utility installation prior to the start of actual excavation.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG:
From a Cell Phone: Call 811 - Will connect nationwide
				  From a Land Line: 1-800-424-5555
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23528 - Manholes, street openings and vaults

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Guarding manholes and street openings.
(a) When covers of manholes or vaults are
				removed, the opening must be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or
				other acceptable temporary barrier to prevent an accidental fall through the
				opening and to protect employees working in the manhole from foreign objects
				entering the manhole.
(b) When work
				is to be performed on underground plant, the immediate foreman in charge and/or
				the craftsman Sassigned to do the work must make a complete job hazard
				assessment of the work location in regard to the hazards that are created or
				that could exist prior to beginning the work in underground plant.
(c) The immediate foreman and/or the
				craftsman responsible for the job completion must be in agreement of the proper
				method of eliminating or reducing any hazards that are present or could be
				caused by the location of the worksite, before the job proceeds.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23530 - Joint power and telecommunication manholes and vaults

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) While work is being performed in manholes
				or vaults occupied jointly by an electric utility and a telecommunication
				utility;
(a) The employer must demonstrate
				that the employee will be protected from all electrical hazards;
(b) An employee with basic first-aid training
				must be available in the immediate vicinity to render emergency assistance as
				required;
(c) An employee is not to
				be precluded from occasionally entering a manhole to provide assistance other
				than in an emergency.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23532 - Ladders for underground access

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Ladders must be used to enter and exit
				manholes exceeding four feet in depth.
(2) Metal and fiberglass manhole ladders must
				be free of structural defects and free of accident hazards such as sharp edges
				and burrs. The metal must be protected against corrosion unless inherently
				corrosion-resistant. These ladders may be designed with parallel side rails, or
				with side rails varying uniformly in separation along the length (tapered) or
				with side rails flaring at the base to increase stability.
(3) The spacing of rungs or steps must be on
				twelve-inch centers.
(4)
				Connections between rungs or steps and side rails must be constructed to ensure
				rigidity as well as strength.
(5)
				Rungs and steps must be corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with
				skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize the possibility of
				slipping.
(6) Ladder hardware must
				meet the ladder's component parts and must be of a material that is protected
				against corrosion unless inherently corrosion-resistant. Metals must be so
				selected as to avoid excessive galvanic action.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23534 - Tent heater, torches and open flames

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When open flames must be used in manholes, the following
				  precautions must be taken to protect against the accumulation of combustible
				  gas:
(1) A test for combustible gas
				must be made immediately before using any open flame device.
(2) A fuel tank (e.g., acetylene) may not be
				in the manhole unless in actual use.
(3) Open flames must not be used within
				ground tents or on platforms within aerial tents unless:
(a) The tent covers are constructed of fire
				resistant materials; and
(b)
				Ventilation is provided to maintain safe oxygen levels and avoid harmful
				buildup of combustion products and combustible gases.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part B - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELINE › Section 296-32-23536 - Lead work

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Employer
				program requirements.
(a) General activities
				exposing employees to lead hazards the employer must follow the requirements
				located in WAC
				296-62-07521.
(b) Construction activities exposing
				employees to lead hazards must follow the requirements located in WAC
				296-155-176.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part C - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELESS › Section 296-32-24005 - Wireless communications- General requirements

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) In addition to the requirements of WAC
				296-32-22515 the
				employer must ensure that at least two employees on-site are trained and hold
				current certifications in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
				(CPR) issued by the American Red Cross or any other organization whose
				standards are equivalent to the American Red Cross. Employees working alone
				must have basic first-aid training and hold a valid first-aid
				certificate.
(2) Training.
(a) In order for employees to work at heights
				above four feet, they must be authorized and approved for such work by the
				employer and/or a competent person.
(b) Training of employees must be performed
				by a qualified person able to perform such training.
(c) The employer's written work procedures
				must be provided to employees as part of their training.
(d) Pictures and symbols may be used as a
				means of instruction if employee understanding is improved using this
				method.
(e) The employer must
				ensure that each employee working at heights above four feet has been trained
				in all of the following areas:
(i) The nature
				of fall hazards in the work area;
(ii) The correct procedures for erecting,
				maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection systems to be
				used;
(iii) The correct procedures
				for inspecting fall protection equipment for wear, damage, defect, or
				deterioration;
(iv) Climbing
				methods and safety procedures;
(v)
				The use and operation of the fall protection systems used by the employer, as
				described in WAC
				296-32-22555;
(vi) Identify the duties and responsibilities
				of various roles, as documented in the fall protection work plans;
(vii) The compatibility of fall protection
				equipment and fall protection systems.
Note:
For establishing and maintaining a program
						  for the control and monitoring of nonionizing radiation hazards (RFR), see WAC
						  296-32-22572
						  for additional requirements.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part C - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELESS › Section 296-32-24010 - Antenna work-radio transmitting stations 3-30 MHZ

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Prior to grounding a radio transmitting
				station antenna, the employer must ensure that the rigger in charge:
(a) Prepares a danger tag signed with their
				signature;
(b) Requests the
				transmitting technician to shutdown the transmitter and to ground the antenna
				with its grounding switch;
(c) Is
				notified by the transmitting technician that the transmitter has been shutdown;
				and
(d) Tags the antenna ground
				switch and verifies with the transmitting technician after the antenna has been
				grounded.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part C - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELESS › Section 296-32-24012 - Fall protection

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
In addition to the following requirements also see WAC
				  296-32-22555.
(1) The employer must ensure that at least
				two qualified climbers are on-site at all times when employees are exposed to
				fall hazards above four feet.
(2)
				The employer must require employees to adhere to acceptable conditions for
				access, prior to climbing the tower at heights above four feet.
(3) Prior to employees being exposed to
				elevations above four feet, the employer must ensure that 100 percent fall
				protection systems compatible with the tasks assigned are provided, used, and
				maintained as required in this chapter and in accordance with the
				manufacturer's specifications.
(4)
				In addition to the requirements of WAC
				296-32-24005(5)
				through (7), all of the following must occur
				prior to employees climbing the tower at heights above four feet:
(a) The planning and inspections must be
				performed and documented.
(i) All projects
				requiring climbing must be planned by a competent person.
(ii) The documentation must be maintained
				on-site while work is being performed.
(iii) The documentation must include the date
				of the planning and inspection, the name of the competent person performing the
				planning and inspection, and the site location.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part C - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELESS › Section 296-32-24014 - Work during hours of darkness

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
				Climbing towers in the hours of darkness must only be done after the job hazard
				assessment has addressed any additional hazards.
(2) Precautions must be addressed for high
				voltage hazards when working adjacent to substations or
				transmission/distribution lines which could create additional electrical
				hazards.
Notes:
1. For the purpose of this rule, hours of
						  darkness means one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.
2. Any ground work and working in the
						  facilities is allowed with adequate lighting, see WAC
						  296-32-22535(1).
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part C - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELESS › Section 296-32-24018 - Emergency response/rescue requirements

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Emergency response. The employer must
				establish and document site specific procedures for rescue of employees in the
				event of an emergency. The employer must designate its own employees to
				implement the rescue procedures. The documented procedures must be available
				for review by the director of the Washington state department of labor and
				industries, or his or her designee, upon request.
(2) For elevated high angle rescue the
				following measures must be taken:
(a) Ensure
				at least two competent rescue-trained climbing employees are on-site when
				employees are working at heights over four feet on the structure. When there
				are only three employees on-site and one of these employees has been employed
				for less than twelve months, then that new employee must minimally have
				documented rescue training which includes steps to be taken in an
				emergency.
(b) Ensure that personal
				protective equipment (PPE) and high angle rescue equipment needed to conduct
				elevated rescues are provided, used, and maintained by the rescue-trained
				employees.
(c) Train competent
				rescue employees so they are proficient in the use and maintenance of PPE and
				high angle rescue equipment needed to conduct elevated rescues.
(d) Train competent rescue employees to
				perform assigned rescue duties to ensure that they maintain the ability to
				perform and demonstrate such duties by conducting and documenting simulated
				rescue operations at least once every twelve months.
(e) The rescue equipment must be used only
				for rescue and must remain on-site anytime climbers are on towers or other
				elevated work locations.
(f) The
				design of the control mechanism must prevent the user of the device from
				causing an uncontrolled descent.
(g) The design of the manual descent device
				must permit operation only when rigged in the correct manner and have an
				automatic lock off.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part C - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELESS › Section 296-32-24020 - Rigging plan

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) A rigging
				plan is intended to ensure that the proper procedures, equipment and rigging is
				used for each operation and to ensure that the supporting structure can support
				the rigging loads. A rigging plan must consider the following items:
(a) Operational and nonoperational
				construction loads;
(b)
				Construction equipment;
(c)
				Supporting structure;
(d)
				Construction sequence and duration;
(e) Required load testing and field
				monitoring.
Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-32 - Safety standards for telecommunications › Part C - REQUIREMENTS THAT APPLY TO WIRELESS › Section 296-32-24022 - Gin poles-Installation

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
When installing gin poles, the employer must ensure that the
				  following requirements are met:
(1)
				All applicable requirements for design, construction, installation,
				modification, testing, inspection, maintenance, and operation of gin poles as
				prescribed by the manufacturer or a registered professional engineer are
				met.
(2) The gin pole must be
				attached to a structure in an arrangement with its upper portion cantilevering
				above the tower top.
(3) The
				employer must ensure that when the gin pole is designed, consideration must be
				given to the possibility of personnel climbing the pole to perform rigging
				functions and for tie off points to accommodate fall protection
				equipment.
(4) The rooster head
				which is located at the top of the gin pole must meet the following
				requirements:
(a) The side plates must have
				bolts or pins with spacers around the sheave so the load line is held in place
				and side plate distance is controlled.
(b) Sheave diameter and groove must be
				designed for the load line size and type being used.
(c) The distance between the sheave edge and
				the side plate must not exceed twenty-five percent of load line diameter unless
				a mechanical means is provided to contain the load line within the sheave
				groove.