MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Public Utilities; Judiciary A

By: Representative Simpson

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-15-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS OPERATING CRANES OR SIMILAR EQUIPMENT WITHIN TEN FEET OF HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD LINES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 45-15-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-15-11. No person shall use or operate any tools, equipment, crane, derrick, power shovel, drilling rig, pile driver, hoisting equipment, or similar apparatus, or any part thereof, * * * within ten (10) feet of any high voltage overhead line, unless:

(a) There is posted and maintained a warning sign, as * * * defined in Section 45-15-1, clearly legible and placed as follows:

(i) Within the equipment readily visible to the operator of such equipment when at the controls of such equipment; and

(ii) On the outside of the equipment in such number and location as to be readily visible to mechanics or other persons engaged in the work operations;

(b) There is installed an insulated cage-type guard or protective device about the boom or arm of all equipment, except backhoes or dippers and, where the equipment includes a lifting hook device, all lifting lines are equipped with insulator links on the lift hook connection; and

(c) A person is designated to observe clearance of the equipment from any nearby high voltage overhead lines and to give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult, by visual means, for the operator to determine and to maintain the required clearance.

(d) Before operating the equipment, the person whose operations could come within ten (10) feet of any high voltage overhead line shall ascertain whether any part of any high voltage overhead line is located so that the operation of the equipment might bring any person, tools, equipment, crane, derrick, power shovel, drilling rig, pile driver, hoisting equipment or similar apparatus, or any part thereof, into physical or electrical contact with the high voltage overhead line, and this person shall advise employees of the location of the high voltage overhead lines, the hazards involved and the protective measures to be taken.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.