BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1453
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Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
1453 (Rendon) - As Amended April 20, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to
adopt a rule regulating work performed in underground electrical
facilities by electrical corporations consistent with specified
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worker safety protections. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the PUC, by January 1, 2017, to adopt a rule
regulating work performed in underground electrical facilities
by or on behalf of an electrical corporation, to prohibit work
directly on energized underground electrical equipment, and
require a qualified electrical worker to determine that
underground electrical equipment is safe to work on, as
specified.
2)Defines underground electrical equipment as equipment
energized in excess of 600 volts.
3)Defines underground electrical facility to mean a vault,
manhole, or other subsurface confined structure.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Increased costs over a two-year period of $157,000 (special
fund) for an PUC Administrative Law Judge to conduct the
rulemaking.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, high voltage electrical
work, defined as more than 600 volts, is inherently dangerous.
When this work is performed in confined spaces, like
underground vaults, it can be fatal if not done properly.
Even if not fatal, high-voltage electrical contact can produce
devastating physical trauma.
The purpose of this legislation is to increase safety in
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underground utility vaults and thereby reduce injuries and
fatalities.
2)Background. Current law authorizes the PUC to require every
public utility to construct, maintain, and operate their
equipment in a manner to promote and safeguard the health and
safety of its employees, passengers, customers, and the
public.
PUC Rule 20 sets policies and procedures for the conversion of
overhead power lines and other equipment to underground
facilities. Under Rule 20, undergrounding projects are
financed by utility rate money, combined with rate funds,
local tax proceeds, or private funds.
PUC General Order (GO) 128 establishes rules for the
construction of underground electric supply and communication
systems. GO 128 requires that systems be maintained in such
condition as to secure safety for workmen and the public.
Additonally, according to GO 128, any work performed on
communication facilities in substructures that contain
energized electrical facilities must be performed by qualified
personnel, under the supervision of a qualified electrical
worker.
GO 128 defines qualified to mean qualified by training and
experienced to be competent to work on and recognize the
hazards and exposure involved in the lines and equipment
However, despite these rules to ensure safe working conditions
around electrified lines in underground vaults, there continue
to be deaths each year as a result of workers coming into
contact with such lines.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
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