Journeyman Lineman

[David Chlebek]

Recently, a primary voltage (7,200 volts) underground fault occurred in an existing residential subdivision. This was not loop feed, power to one padmount transformer could not be restored. Management made the decision to "temporarily" lay a primary voltage cable on top of the ground (no conduit), across two residential yards for 12 hours until repairs were started.

I believe that this is extremely hazardous. I have filed a complaint with OSHA. However, I cannot find anything in the 1910.269 standards. I would like to know if there are any NEC code sections that speak to this issue. Any help or contacts would be appreciated.

 

[hockeyoligist2]

Is this POCO? If it is, they aren't required to follow NEC from what I have read on this site. If I'm wrong someone will correct me real soon!

 

[cowboyjwc]

Well just my two cents.

Since we don't have any authority over the POCO and all of the guys I've seen that work for them here seem to be very safety consience, I don't know that I would concern my self with it too much since they are taking the responsibility for it.

The lines them selfs aren't dangerous unless somebody cuts into one and I'm assuming that they had someone on site.

Again just my opinion

 

[don_resqcapt19]

David,
OSHA doesn't make rules to protect the public...only to protect employees, and as the other post said, the NEC does not apply to power company distribution systems.
Don

 

[barbeer]

I believe POCO is regulated more by NFPA 70E. Do some looking here to see, doesn't sound like a perfect situation to me!