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Posted By: caselec Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 03:01 AM
One of the GC’s we work for was hired to manage the construction of a new 6000’ single family dwelling but the homeowner is hiring the subs. The new dwelling in being constructed underneath existing 12kv lines and we are in the process of installing the underground substructures to relocate the lines. Today I stopped by the project to find that the framers have started putting the roof together which is a few feet below the lines. They cut pieces of yellow caution tape and tied them to the bare lines so they would not run into them. I told the general that I can’t believe that whoever tied the tape to the lines was still alive and construction of the roof needs to stop. He said he has told the framing crew and the homeowner that work needs to stop around these lines but they don’t see the problem and don’t want to delay construction. I don’t have any control over this work but if someone gets killed I will probably feel that I didn’t do enough to prevent the accident. The general said he was going to talk to the owner again tonight but if he refuses to stop this construction I’m going to call the utility tomorrow morning. I’m not even sure what the utility can do to stop the work and they can’t de-energize the lines since they feed many other customers.
Posted By: Active 1 Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 03:15 AM
If they are there working near the lines you could call the polece. Tell them what ever (suicide attempt, power theft, power line terrists, etc. ) to get them to go out and make an incident report. I would say at that point the responcibility would be with the police. Maybe they would warn them, make a report, and leave. If someone gets hurt at least you can prove you tried to help, warn, & stop them.

Tom
Posted By: Bill Addiss Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 03:34 AM
I agree with Tom, call the Police and the Utility if they don't stop. Besides being foolish working in proximity to these lines may also be illegal.

Bill
Posted By: Bill Addiss Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 03:50 AM
I don't know if anything similar applies where you are, but here's some info about the Oregon High Voltage Overhead Line Safety Act. I believe there is a similar law in New York too.
Quote
To protect those working near overhead power lines from accidental contact, the Oregon Legislature passed into law the High Voltage Overhead Line Safety Act.

The law provides that no work activities take place within 10 feet of a high voltage overhead power line until the following two requirements are met:

1. The responsible party must notify the utility operating the line of the intended work activity.
2. The responsible party and the utility must complete mutually satisfactory precautions for the activity.

As soon as you inform your local utility of your intended work activity, you’re taking the first step to insure your safety and the safety of your crew. When and where necessary, the following can then occur:

1. Coordination of work schedules.
2. Identification of temporary mechanical barriers to prevent contact with the lines.
3. Temporary de-energizing and grounding of
lines.
4. Temporary raising or moving of lines.

Failure to comply

Any party working within 10 feet of an overhead line without notifying the proper utility and establishing required safety precautions, will be held directly responsible for all financial consequences of an electrical accident. Failure to comply with this rule can carry a penalty of up to $70,000 for each offense in addition to the cost of injuries and repairs.
see: http://www.pacific-power.com/File/File18254.pdf

[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 01-31-2005).]
Posted By: Bill Addiss Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 04:08 AM
Looks like 6 foot min. rule in California:
http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/2946.html
Posted By: e57 Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 04:26 AM
These are the cops you want.... But, its not the freindliest thing to do, (buisiness wise) but the right thing to do if want them to live if they don't hold off.
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/Complaint.htm

Fremont CalOSHA
39141 Civic Center Dr.
Suite 310
Fremont, CA 94538-5818
510-794-2521
Fax 510-794-3889


[This message has been edited by e57 (edited 01-31-2005).]
Posted By: caselec Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 05:40 AM
Thanks for the replies and info. I talked to the GC a little while ago and he said the owner was going to talk to the framing contractor tomorrow morning. I hope they make a smart decision and stay away from this area until we can get these lines relocated. Mark, this afternoon I mentioned to the GC that CalOSHA would quickly put an end to this but I would rather make that call if I don’t have too. The property owner and GC will know that I’m the one who called if either the utility or CalOSH show up at the site to look at this.

Curt
Posted By: e57 Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 08:29 AM
Curt,
I think you meant to say, "I would rather (NOT) make that call if I don’t have too."

I completely understand! Its a tough call to make. Relationships can sour after that. Not to metion all of the whipering... "Isn't that the guy who called OSHA on whats-his-face?"

CalOSHA can be a bit extreme in enforcement after an accident. I was on a job years ago that had a lot of really crazy things happening on it. And just so happens one of thier offices was right next-door in Berkley. A storm came in and knocked 5 stories of (un-tied) scaffolding off the job in thier parking lot, and an Avis rent a car lot too. They had the whole office out there in hard-hats and note-pads for weeks. It was a circus field trip for them.
There were some light fines, of the wrist slap variety, and long lectures to the GC's and subs. But considering, not that bad.

How-ever, if there had been a death involved, they go after people like pack of rotwiellers. Seek criminal prosicution etc. NOT funny! Something to remind these people about... They can be held criminally responcable if someone gets electricuted. And as "Electrician" and/or resident expert on-site about electrical hazards, I would not be caught within site of that place until it gets corrected.

CalOSHA do have an interesting "Consultation" Program you might want to read up on. You call for an appointment for an "On-Site Evaluation", and they come outand see this operation with people having lunch with HV lines at eye-level. They write you a little report card that says WTF! And they can't do anything, (Like fine you) as you called them for a "Consultation". But the site of the CalOSHA logo would certainly shape a few people up I think.
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/consDSL.ram
Posted By: pdh Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 09:11 AM
Please have the homeowner take a look at these incident reports:

http://tinyurl.com/5harq
Posted By: caselec Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 04:39 PM
Mark, you are correct that it should have said NOT. I edited the message before posting it and somehow deleted the not. I’m probably not going to get a chance to drop by this project today but hopefully the owner will do what he said he would and have the framers stop working in this area.
Posted By: walrus Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 06:24 PM
Wish I had a picture of the yellow caution tape on a 12kv line. Not sure which is worse, being close enough to tie the tape on, or actually tieing it on. Unbelieveable
Posted By: Trumpy Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/01/05 06:24 PM
Curt,
This ain't good at all, mate. [Linked Image]
If they are close enough to the lines to be able to tie yellow tape to them, they are well within any Minimum Approach Distances for this level of voltage.
Another thing, I believe the Homeowner is liable here, because the lines were not covered with line-hose before the work even started on-site.
It's also widely known amongst Line workers, that you never work near lines unless they are isolated and grounded, or appropriate cover-up equipment is supplied and used.
I think some-one's in trouble here.
Personally Curt, I would have rung the Utility right there and then. [Linked Image]
Posted By: LK Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/02/05 12:17 AM
Mike,
I still can't understand how they are relocating these lines without the utility being involved, every step of the way, and how did he get to build a house on a utility right of way? I have seen utility take right of way from homeowner but never seen a homeowner take right of way from utility.
Sure would like to know more about this one.
Posted By: Trumpy Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/02/05 08:19 PM
Les,
I couldn't agree more.
Regardless of the work involved, cable for 12kV isn't exactly the sort of thing that you can buy at the corner store.
Yes, I'd also be interested to know who allowed this building to be constructed so close to the lines and wether the Utility was even asked in the first place about the house's proximity to the lines.
Any Utility would have an interest in any work this close to linework and if they haven't been consulted, I'd imagine they'd be reasonably peeved and could also ask for the building to be removed, if it is this close.
Over here at least, to do any work near our PoCo lines, you have to get an Overhead Access Permit from the PoCo and maintain a minimum spacing of 4 metres (12ft) from the lines at all times and have a PoCo safety observer on site during the work.
Posted By: caselec Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/03/05 02:36 AM
Mike & Les

The utility is involved in this project. They are giving back the easement rights where these lines are currently located and the property owner had to grant new easement rights where the new lines are located. The utility engineered the project and we are installing all of the underground substructures (conduit, vaults, ground rods, mule tape, etc). The utility will pull the cable and make the terminations. The problem is the property owner did not wait until the relocation work was finished before building the structure. The utility inspectors have been at the site several times recently but apparently didn’t walk up the hill to the new house location and see how close the lines were. I didn’t realize that the roof was so close to these lines until Monday when I was at the project. I was at the project today and the framers have stopped working on the roof in this area so hopefully they decided to listen and will stay away until we get the existing overhead lines relocated in a couple of weeks.

Curt
Posted By: Admin Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/09/05 04:52 AM
Quote
The attached picture is of the caution tape tied to the 12kv lines. The tape was tied on over the new 2 story house which is just to the left of this picture but the wind has blown much of it down line. My camera battery went dead after I took this picture so couldn’t get any pictures of the lines running over the house.

- caselec
[Linked Image]
Posted By: Trumpy Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/09/05 11:14 PM
Curt,
Good picture.
How on earth did they get up there?.
Judging by the picture, it looks like these lines have been broken before, going by the joints to the right of the pole.

{Oops, can't tell left from right} [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 02-09-2005).]
Posted By: Bjarney Re: Accident Waiting to Happen - 02/10/05 01:49 AM
 
[Linked Image from 6l6.net]
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