Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 39.353 - Special authorization(a)Special work. Special authorization from the chief operator shall be secured before work is begun on or about station equipment, transmission, or interconnected feeder lines or live lines above 7,500 volts, and in all cases where lines are to be killed by regular procedure as prescribed in §§ 39.381-39.391 (relating to killing supply equipment and lines) at stations, and a report shall be made to him when such work ceases.(b)Exceptions to special work. In emergency, to protect life or property, or when communication with the chief operator is difficult, due to storms or other causes, any qualified employe may make repairs on or about the equipment or lines covered by this rule without special authorization if the trouble is such as he can promptly clear with help available in compliance with the remaining rules. The chief operator shall thereafter be notified as soon as possible of the action taken. Reference should also be made to § 39.357(b) (relating to protecting traffic).(c)Operations at stations. In the absence of specific operating schedules for opening and closing supply circuits at stations, or starting and stopping equipment, employes shall secure special authorization from the chief operator before performing these operations. In all cases such special authorization shall be secured where circuit or equipment control devices are tagged at stations to protect workmen. Reference should be made to § 39.356 (relating to tagging electrical supply circuits).(d)Exceptions to operations at stations. In emergency, to protect life or property, any qualified employe may open circuits and stop moving equipment without special authorization if, in his judgment, his action will promote safety, but the chief operator shall be notified as soon as possible of such action, with reasons therefor. To maintain service, any qualified employe may also reclose circuits which have been opened by automatic cut-outs, unless this is prohibited by § 39.355 (relating to maintaining service).(e)Cutting out sections of circuits. Special authorization shall be secured from the chief operator before sections of overhead or underground circuits are cut off by employes at points other than at stations by means of sectionalizing switches.(f)Exception to cutting out sections of circuits. Portions of distribution circuits below 7,500 volts may be cut off by authorized employes, without special authorization from the chief operator, by means of sectionalizing switches, if the chief operator is thereafter notified as soon as possible of the action taken. This may also be done even for circuits above 7,500 volts when communication with the chief operator is difficult. This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 39.357 (relating to protecting traffic); 34 Pa. Code § 39.411 (relating to general provisions); 34 Pa. Code § 39.421 (relating to general provisions); 34 Pa. Code § 39.431 (relating to general provisions); 34 Pa. Code § 39.441 (relating to general provisions); 34 Pa. Code § 39.451 (relating to general provisions); 34 Pa. Code § 39.461 (relating to general requirements); 34 Pa. Code § 39.462 (relating to authorization for work); 34 Pa. Code § 39.471 (relating to general requirements); and 34 Pa. Code § 39.491 (relating to general requirements).