Louisiana Revised Statutes 45:143 – Required conditions for commencing work within ten feet of high voltage overhead lines
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 45:143
- High voltage: means a voltage in excess of six hundred volts between conductors, or between any conductor and the ground. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 45:141
- Overhead line: means all bare or insulated electrical conductors installed above ground, except those conductors that are de-energized and grounded or that are enclosed in rigid metallic conduits. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 45:141
- person: includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:10
A. When any person desires to temporarily carry on any function, activity, work, or operation in closer proximity to any high voltage overhead line than permitted by this Chapter, the person or persons responsible for the work to be done shall promptly notify the owner or operator of the high voltage overhead line prior to the scheduled commencement of the work. Such notice shall be reasonable, considering the work to be done; however, the notice shall not be less than forty-eight hours prior to the scheduled commencement of the work, exclusive of holidays and weekends, except in emergency situations that include police, fire, and rescue emergencies, in which case the notice shall be made as soon as possible.
B. The work shall be performed only after satisfactory mutual arrangements have been negotiated between the owner or operator of the high voltage overhead lines and the person or persons responsible for the work to be done. The owner or operator of the lines shall initiate the agreed upon safety arrangements within three working days and shall complete the work promptly, subject to emergency weather conditions. Arrangements may include placement of temporary mechanical barriers separating and preventing contact between material, equipment, or persons and high voltage overhead lines; temporary deenergization and grounding; temporary location or raising of the lines; or by other means deemed appropriate by the owner or operator of the lines.
C. The actual expense incurred by any operator or owner of high voltage overhead lines in providing clearances established in this Section shall be paid by the person or persons responsible for the work to be done in the vicinity thereof. The owner or operator of the lines may require an estimated payment of such actual expense in advance.
Acts 2001, No. 176, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.