BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1453
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB
1453 (Rendon)
As Amended April 20, 2015
Majority vote
-------------------------------------------------------------------
|Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+------+---------------------+---------------------|
|Utilities |14-0 |Rendon, Patterson, | |
| | |Achadjian, Bonilla, | |
| | |Burke, Dahle, | |
| | |Eggman, | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |Cristina Garcia, | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |Roger Hernández, | |
| | |Obernolte, Quirk, | |
| | |Santiago, Ting, | |
| | |Williams | |
| | | | |
|----------------+------+---------------------+---------------------|
|Appropriations |17-0 |Gomez, Bigelow, | |
| | |Bonta, Calderon, | |
| | |Chang, Daly, Eggman, | |
| | |Gallagher, | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
AB 1453
Page 2
| | |Eduardo Garcia, | |
| | |Gordon, Holden, | |
| | |Jones, Quirk, | |
| | |Rendon, Wagner, | |
| | |Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Requires the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) to adopt a rule regulating work performed in underground
electrical facilities by electrical corporations that is
consistent with certain worker safety protections. Specifically,
this bill:
1)Requires the CPUC, by January 1, 2017, to adopt a rule
regulating work performed in underground electrical facilities
by or on behalf of an electrical corporation that does all of
the following:
a) Prohibits work directly on energized underground
electrical equipment, and
b) Requires a qualified electrical worker to determine that
underground electrical equipment has been deenergized and is
in a mode that would make the equipment safe to be worked on.
2)Defines "underground electrical equipment" to mean equipment
energized in excess of 600 volts, and all or part of the
equipment is in an underground electrical facility.
3)Defines "underground electrical facility" to mean a vault,
AB 1453
Page 3
manhole, or other subsurface confined structure.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, there would be increased costs over a two-year period
of $157,000 (special fund) for a CPUC Administrative Law Judge to
conduct the rulemaking.
COMMENTS:
1)Author's Statement: "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.
According to CPUC, fatalities per utility are on the rise. In
2008 there were nine; in 2013 to 2014; and in 2014 to 2016.
While not all of these were due to high-voltage incidents in
confined spaces, if the vaults were de-energized those numbers
would be lower. It should be noted that reported incidents and
injuries per utility have also risen substantially since 2008.
Deaths related to exposure to electrical current accounts for
around 4% of all occupational fatalities. These deaths are
preventable. Incidental contact to high-voltage current by
qualified, trained workers should not be fatal. The purpose of
this legislation is to increase safety in underground utility
vaults and thereby reduce injuries and fatalities."
2)Background: Under current law, the CPUC can 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.
In addition, CPUC 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,
AB 1453
Page 4
local tax proceeds, or private funds.
3)General Order 128: CPUC 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. In addition, 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. The GO defines "qualified" to mean qualified
by training and experience to be competent to work on and
recognize the hazards and exposure involved in the lines and
equipment being worked on. Yet 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.
This bill requires the CPUC, by January 1, 2017, to adopt a rule
regulating work performed in underground electrical facilities
by or on behalf of an electrical corporation. The rule shall
prohibit work directly on energized underground electrical
equipment and would require a qualified electrical worker to
determine that underground electrical equipment has been
de-energized and is in a mode that would make the equipment safe
to be worked on. This would ensure that the CPUC will have
rules that will create safe working conditions in underground
electrical utility vaults.
Analysis Prepared by:
Edmond Cheung / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083 FN:
0000632
AB 1453
Page 5