Guard rails are required anytime you can fall more than 30". I can get the gaurd rail, no problem, but is that the cure-all?
So: You are the electrician changing out the main breaker, or you are the POCO investigating a broken meter seal. There is a gaurdrail (probably conductive) to stop you from falling the 12' of this wall, but what about the balancing act required to do your job...gaurdrail or not?
I don't think this panel belongs here. I take great pride in enforcing the minimum code, as written. This is a tough one for me though.
I'm going to get the POCO involved to see what they say and see if we can't get this thing moved. But what if weren't service equipment, what if it were just a panelboard?
I think this is a very serious issue, and I also think that the NEC is silent on it. Should it be?
Great discussion so far, as I was hoping. Keep it up, I think there is much to discuss here.
