May Is National Electrical Safety Month; Changes
To Overhead High Voltage Act Key To Safety
RICHMOND, Va. - Dominion Virginia Power wants
everyone -- especially outdoor contractors -- to know that not only is 10 feet
or more the safest distance to be from an overhead power line, it's the law.
This May during National Electrical Safety Month, Dominion
wants to make all customers aware of a new
revision to the Virginia Overhead High Voltage Safety Act. The change extends
the safety zone around high-voltage lines from 6 to 10 feet and clarifies responsibilities
of workers and line owners. The enhanced law, which takes effect July 1, also
contains new incentives for people working near overhead lines to obey the law.
"Working safely around electricity is the only way we
do business at Dominion," said Jay L. Johnson, president and chief executive
officer. "We prevent accidents by recognizing hazardous conditions and
eliminating unsafe work practices. The extension of the safety zone around high-voltage
lines will help save lives and prevent injuries."
The strengthened law increases the protective work zone around
overhead high-voltage lines and places greater responsibility on contractors
who work near overhead power lines to be particularly mindful of their surroundings.
Contractors must call the appropriate utility (for Dominion, call the Customer
Service Center at 1-888-667-3000) before working within 10 feet of these
lines and allow the proper safety arrangements to be put in place before starting
work. If there is any doubt about a line's owner or voltage, make the call for
assistance.
Virginia enacted its Overhead High Voltage Line Safety Act
in 1989. Unfortunately, injuries and accidents caused by contact with overhead
lines continue. The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry reports 47 known
violations of the act in 2002. The law's new clearly defined and enhanced responsibilities
provide contractors with the incentive to call in order to give utilities the
opportunity to make job sites safe.
Major provisions of the revised law include:
Expanded Safety Zone
The revised law expands the safety zone around high-voltage lines -- those
carrying 600 volts or more -- to 10 feet. Previously, the law prohibited work
within 6 feet of the lines. The 10-foot rule is consistent with federal guidelines
set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Clearer Responsibilities for Workers
The revised law recognizes that sometimes arrangements must be made for work
within the 10-foot safety limit. The new law clarifies the responsibilities
of both line owners and businesses.
As of July 1, anyone wishing to perform such work must:
Notify the line owner promptly to request temporary
safety arrangements.
Make sure the safety arrangements are complete before
beginning the work.
Clearer Responsibilities for Line Owners and Operators
The law also gives utilities and other line owners and operators specific
responsibilities. They must:
Publish a phone number that persons wishing to work
near lines can call to provide notification and initiate temporary safety
arrangement.
Initiate safety arrangements within five working days
of the notification.
Complete the safety arrangements promptly and without
interruption, consistent with the owner or operator's need to provide
electrical service.
Incentives for Obeying the Law
Finally, the updated law contains additional incentives to obey the law. Violators
remain subject to fines but now have added responsibilities. Persons performing
work near high-voltage lines will be required to indemnify line owners and
operators against all claims and costs arising from work in violation of the
law.
For specific information on the new changes to Virginia's
Overhead High Voltage Safety Act, visit Dominion's Web site at www.dom.com
and type in the keyword "overhead."
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of
energy, with a diversified and integrated energy portfolio that includes 24,000
megawatts of generation and 6.1 trillion cubic feet equivalent of proved natural
gas reserves. Dominion also serves 5 million retail energy customers in nine
states.
