Safety Code for the construction industry
An Act respecting occupational health and safety « … »
DIVISION V
WORK IN THE PROXIMITY OF ELECTRICAL LINES
§5.1. Scope
5.1.1. This Division applies to any construction work carried out near an aerial electrical line.
R.R.Q., 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6, s. 5.1.1.
5.1.2. However, this Division does not apply to:
(a) a neutral conductor;
(b) an insulated cable less than 750 volts of the duplex, triplex or quadruplex
assembly type;
(c) a consumer or distributor branching less than 750
volts;
(d) the electrical installation of the consumer;
(e) the construction, repair or maintenance of an electrical line carried out by a worker of an electrical power company or by an employer authorized by it;
(f) the construction, repair or maintenance of a communications network performed on a structure supporting an electrical line by an employer authorized by an electrical power company; and
(g) work performed near an electrical line 750 volts or less, provided that there is insulation between the worker and the non insulated live parts.
R.R.Q., 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6, s. 5.1.2.
§5.2. Interdictions
5.2.1. The employer shall ensure that no one performs work liable to bring any part, load, scaffolding, machine component or person closer than the minimum approach distance specified in the following table:
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Tension between phases Minimum approach (volts) distance (metres)
Less than 125 000 3
125 000 to 250 000 5
250 000 to 550 000 8
More than 550 000 12
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R.R.Q., 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6, s. 5.2.1; O.C. 35-2001, s. 22.
5.2.2. The employer who wishes to carry out work liable to bring any part, load, scaffolding, machine component or person closer to an electrical line than the minimum approach distance specified in section 5.2.1, may proceed to such work provided that one of the following conditions is complied with:
(a) that power line has been turned off. He shall ensure that no one runs any risk of being electrocuted before turning the power on again;
(b) the employer has come to an agreement with the electrical power company as to safety measures to be adopted. Before the work begins, he shall transmit a copy of such agreement as well as his work plan to the Commission. Such measures shall be carried out before the work begins and shall be maintained throughout the course of the work;
(c) extensible construction equipment, such as a backhoe, a power shovel, a crane or a dump truck, shall be equipped with a device that has 2 functions:
(i) to warn the operator or to stop the equipment from operating, so that the minimum approach distance specified in section 5.2.1 is respected;
(ii) to stop the equipment from operating, should the device fail to perform its first function.
The device referred to in subparagraph c must be the subject of a written declaration signed by a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec certifying that it performs the functions described in clauses i and ii above and that it neither damages the equipment nor renders it unstable when it stops the equipment from operating. If the device fails to operate partially or completely, or is inoperative, the employer may continue to use the extensible construction equipment for a total of not more than 8 hours of working time, provided that he is assisted by a flagperson who has successfully completed the training course in the program described in Schedule 7.
R.R.Q., 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6, s. 5.2.2; O.C. 1959-86, s. 72; O.C. 53-90, s. 10; O.C. 35-2001, s. 23.
5.2.3. The employer who carries out work less than 30 metres away from an electrical line with a voltage higher than 250 000 volts shall ensure that the following requirements are respected:
(a) refueling shall be done outside this area;
(b) construction equipment on tires shall be equipped with an electrostatic link between the metallic part and the ground; and
(c) during the installation or manipulation of a metal duct, fence or above ground structure, it shall be grounded every 30 metres.
R.R.Q., 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6, s. 5.2.3.
5.2.4. Before carrying out work near an electrical line held at each supporting point otherwise than by one wooden post, the employer shall obtain in writing the line voltage from the electrical power company.
R.R.Q., 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6, s. 5.2.4.
§5.3. Warning sign
5.3.1. The employer shall ensure that the owner or lessee of any piece of machinery used to lift a load and capable of vertical, lateral or rotational motion, posts on such machinery, in a conspicuous place so as to be seen by the operator, a warning sign reading: DANGER — N'APPROCHEZ PAS DES LIGNES ELECTRIQUES, in letters at least 12 millimetres in height.
R.R.Q., 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6, s. 5.3.1.