Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders Group 13. Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment Article 98. Operating Rules

§5003.4. Power Line Safety -- While Traveling Under or Near Power Lines with No Load.

(a) This section establishes procedures and criteria that shall be met for equipment traveling under or near a power line on a construction site with no load. Equipment traveling on a construction site with a load is governed by Sections 5003.1, 5003.2 or 5003.3, whichever is appropriate, and Section 4991(c) and (d).

(1) The provisions of Electrical Safety Orders, Group 2, Article 37, shall also apply to any work in proximity to overhead power lines where more protective.

(b) The employer shall ensure that:

(1) The boom/mast and boom/mast support system are lowered sufficiently to meet the requirements of this section.

(2) The clearances specified in Table T of this section are maintained.

(3) The effects of speed and terrain on equipment movement (including movement of the boom/mast) are considered so that those effects do not cause the minimum clearance distances specified in Table T of this section to be breached.

(4) Dedicated spotter. If any part of the equipment while traveling will get closer than 20 feet to the power line, the employer shall ensure that a dedicated spotter who is in continuous contact with the driver/operator is used. The dedicated spotter shall:

(A) Be positioned to effectively gauge the clearance distance.

(B) Where necessary, use equipment that enables the dedicated spotter to communicate directly with the operator.

(C) Give timely information to the operator so that the required clearance distance can be maintained.

(5) Additional precautions for traveling in poor visibility. When traveling at night, or in conditions of poor visibility, in addition to the measures specified in subsections (b)(1) through (4) of this section, the employer shall ensure that:

(A) The power lines are illuminated or another means of identifying the location of the lines is used.

(B) A safe path of travel is identified and used.

TABLE T--MINIMUM CLEARANCE DISTANCES WHILE TRAVELING WITH NO LOAD

Voltage (nominal, kV. alternating current)	While traveling-- minimum clearance distance (feet)
up to 0.60	4
over .60 to 50	6
over 50 to 345	10
over 345 to 750	16
Over 750 to 1,000	20
Over 1,000	(as established by the utility owner/operator or registered professional engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution).

Credits

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

History

1. New section filed 7-26-2022; operative 7-26-2022 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2022, No. 30). Filing deadline specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-71-20.