Section 296-45-225. Underground residential distribution (URD).

(1) General.

(a) Each employee shall be knowledgeable of the equipment provided for their use and shall at all times use this equipment only for the purpose intended.

(b) U.R.D. cables which are properly insulated for the voltages to which they are energized shall be considered as an effective barrier to protect the employees and table two need not apply.

(i) Workers will take adequate precautions to avoid physical contact with energized U.R.D. cable by using approved procedures and/or protective devices.

(ii) When handling energized U.R.D. primary cables, the work shall be done with approved tools and/or procedures by two qualified electrical employees. Switching is exempt from this rule.

(iii) When energized terminators or load-break elbows are handled by a hot stick, there shall be two qualified electrical employees at the scene.

(c) When energized pad-mounted transformers or similar equipment are to be left unlocked and open, they shall be attended by a designated employee.

(d) Approved tools and procedures shall be used to remove any debris, vines, weeds, etc., from an underground system.

(e) A primary and secondary system neutral on any energized circuit shall not be opened under any circumstances except for testing.

(f) Primary and secondary neutrals shall be firmly connected and grounded before the circuit or equipment is energized.

(g) Where different phases are in the same vault, enclosures, or parked in some manner that they could be looped, these phases shall be marked or identified.

(h) Bayonet fuses:

(i) Bayonet fuses shall not be closed into suspected faults or overloads.

(ii) Submersible U.G. transformer installations will require other methods of energizing or deenergizing and bayonet fuses shall not be used for this purpose.

(iii) Bayonet fuses shall only be operated after pad-mount transformers have been properly vented.

(iv) Bayonet fuses shall only be operated in accordance with manufacturing design and rating capabilities.

(2) Working on cables.

(a) Before any work is to be performed on underground cables and apparatus carrying high voltage, they shall be deenergized with the following exceptions:

(i) Replacing fuses, operating switches, closing or opening load-break elbows, when approved protective devices are used.

(ii) Work in the high-voltage compartment of pad-mounted transformers and similar equipment installed above ground, provided the work is done by approved methods.

(b) Only one energized conductor shall be worked on at any one time, and protective means shall be used to insulate or isolate it from all others.

(c) When work is to be performed in manholes containing any wires or appliances carrying electrical current, they shall be in a sanitary condition.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 16-10-082, § 296-45-225, filed 5/3/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. WSR 98-07-009, § 296-45-225, filed 3/6/98, effective 5/6/98.]

RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060 and chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 16-10-082, § 296-45-225, filed 5/3/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. WSR 98-07-009, § 296-45-225, filed 3/6/98, effective 5/6/98.