OSHA extends the enforcement dates [US]

OSHA extends the enforcement dates for the minimum approach distances in its general industry and construction standards for work on electric power generation, transmission, and distribution installations.

In a memorandum to its regional administrators, dated January 20, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) extended the enforcement date for some of its minimum approach distances in its general industry and construction standards, 29 CFR 1910.269 and 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V until January 31, 2017. OSHA previously extended the enforcement deadline for these distances until January 31, 2016.

Until January 31, 2017, OSHA will not issue citations for voltages of 169.1 kilovolts and more under 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(3)(ii) or 29 CFR 1926.960(c)(1)(ii) and OSHA will accept compliance with the minimum approach distances in Table 6 or Tables 10 to 13 in Appendix B to 29 CFR 1910.269 as compliance with 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(3)(i) and 29 CFR 1926.960(c)(1)(i).

OSHA will extend this policy if there is no peer-reviewed guidance regarding the calculation of maximum transient overvoltages available before May 1, 2016.

Until January 31, 2017, OSHA will not issue citations for voltages of 72.6 to 169.0 kilovolts under 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(3)(ii) or 29 CFR 1926.960(c)(1)(ii) as long as the employer assumes a maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, of 3.0 per unit. If no peer-reviewed guidance regarding the calculation of maximum transient overvoltages is available before May 1, 2016, OSHA will extend this policy.

Sources:

OSHA, Extended enforcement dates for minimum approach distances to electrical power lines, January 20, 2016

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