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Policy 3304: Electrical Hazards

Policy 3304: Electrical Hazards

YAKIMA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 12

10000 ZIER ROAD

YAKIMA, WA 98908

POLICY # 3304

COMMISSION CHAIR SIGNATURE s/b Marshia Goss, Chair

EFFECTIVE DATE: JANUARY 7, 1999

REVISED DATE: APRIL 14, 2009

POLICY TITLE: ELECTRICAL

REFERENCE: WAC 296-305-06008

PURPOSE:

It is the policy of Yakima County Fire District #12 to identify hazards and employ practices to prevent electric shock when fire suppression or rescue activities must be performed near energized electrical circuits.

1.0 Members shall be trained to identify potential electrical hazards.

2.0 Members shall not cut the electrical drip loop providing power to a structure or pull the electrical meter.

3.0 Members shall not work or position equipment above any power line. At an incident, the incident Commander shall not allow anyone but qualified utility workers to work above any power line.

3.1 When fire service equipment and members must work near energized lines rated 50 KV or above the minimum working distance between the lines and any part of the equipment shall be ten feet plus 4 in for each l KV and will follow the recommendations of Pacific Power Company.

4.0 For electrical lines rated 50 KV or below, the minimum clearance shall be at ten feet.

5.0 For low voltage lines (operating under 750 volts or less) all activities and work shall be performed to prevent members from coming in contact with the energized lines.

RESPONSIBILITY

1.0 The Incident Commander shall identify potential electrical hazards and request the power company to respond and disconnect energized electrical lines.

2.0 The Training Officer will identify electrical hazards and incorporate them into training.

OPERATIONS

1.0 Driver/Operators of apparatus will not position apparatus under electrical transmission lines without first identifying the electrical hazard area.

2.0 Members will not raise ground ladders until the command "check the overhead" is given and followed to establish the existence of an electrical hazard.

3.0 The Incident Commander will be informed as to the existence of overhead electrical hazards.

4.0 The Incident Commander will be informed as to electrical hazards in the structure or working area.

5.0 Any hazard including down power lines shall be marked on scene according to SOG 3-6 “Scene Barrier Tape”

EQUIPMENT

1.0 All lighting equipment, temporary power, flexible cords, temporary lights, electrical equipment, electrical tools, cord reels, portable generators and vehicle-mounted generators shall meet WAC 296-305-06007 specifications.