Bill > H2915

This bill allows municipal light boards, which are local government bodies responsible for public electricity, to permit their line workers and troublemen to work on live electrical wires and equipment exceeding 15,000 volts (phase-to-phase) or 8,500 volts (phase-to-ground) directly using rubber gloves, but only when de-energizing the equipment is not practical and strictly following safety guidelines outlined in specific sections of the NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, 2004 Edition, which covers safe work practices, personal protective equipment, and clothing. This provision overrides a previous law (section 129C of chapter 149 of the General Laws) that may have restricted such work, and the bill takes effect immediately upon being passed.