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Section 43

Additional Rules for

Communications Employees

The following general discussion applies to Secs. 43 and 44. This discussion is
repeated at the beginning of Sec. 44. Sections 43 and 44 provide additional
rules for employees. Section 43 provides additional rules for communications
employees only. Section 44 provides additional rules for supply employees
only. Section 41 provides rules for employers and Sec. 42 provides rules for
both supply and communication employees.
The additional rules in Sec. 43 for communications employees primarily
focus on keeping the communications employee safe when the communication
lines are on joint-use structures or in joint-use manholes with electric supply
conductors. Section 43 requires that communications employees maintain min-
imum approach distances between the communications employee and electric
supply lines and equipment. In addition to the approach distances to electric
supply conductors, communications employees must not position themselves
above the lowest electric supply conductor exclusive of vertical runs (risers) and
street lights.
The additional rules in Sec. 44 for supply employees primarily focus on
approach distances to energized parts, switching control procedures, work on
energized lines, de-energizing lines, protective grounding, and live line work.
If a communication line is located in the supply space in accordance with
the overhead line clearance rules in Sec. 23, the worker who enters the sup-
ply space to work on the communications line must be trained as a supply
employee.
If a communications line is located below a supply line on an overhead struc-
ture and the proper clearances in Sec. 23 are met, the worker who is maintain-
ing the communications line must be trained as a communications employee.

435
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436 WORK RULES Rule 430

If a communications line is positioned below a supply line on an overhead

structure, but the proper clearances in Sec. 23 are not met, the communications
employee can correct the violation if the communications employee does not
violate the approach distances in Sec. 43. If the communications employee can-
not maintain the approach distances in Sec. 43, the communications employee
must contact a supply employee to correct the violation.
The format of this NESC Handbook for Part 4, “Work Rules” is different from
the format of the other parts of this book. The format for Part 4 summarizes the
Code text in an outline format. A graphic is used to visually represent which
section, rule, and paragraph the outline applies to.

430. GENERAL

• Section 42, “General Rules for Employees” (both supply and communica-
tions) also apply.

431. APPROACH TO ENERGIZED CONDUCTORS

OR PARTS

431A. Approach Distances

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Rule 432 ADDITIONAL RULES FOR COMMUNICATIONS EMPLOYEES 437

• Communication employees must not approach energized parts closer than

the approach distances shown in NESC Table 431-1.
• Communication employees must not take conductive objects near ener-
gized parts closer than the approach distances shown in NESC Table 431-1.
• Communication employees repairing storm damage to communication
lines that are joint-use with electric supply lines must:
✓ Treat the supply and communication lines as energized to the highest
voltage to which they are exposed, or
✓ Assure that the electric supply lines are de-energized and grounded per
the work rules of NESC Sec. 44.
431B. Altitude Correction

• The approach distances in NESC Table 431-1 must be increased for alti-
tudes above 3000 ft.
• NESC Table 441-5 provides altitude correction factors, which must be
applied to the electrical component of the approach distance.

432. JOINT-USE STRUCTURES

• On joint-use structures (power and communications), communications

employees must not approach energized parts closer than the distances
shown in NESC Table 431-1.
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438 WORK RULES Rule 434

• On joint-use structures (power and communications), communications

employees must not take conductive objects near energized parts closer
than the distances shown in NESC Table 431-1.
• Communications employees must not climb above the lowest electric sup-
ply conductor (not including vertical risers and street lighting).
• An exception applies to this rule when fixed rigid barriers are installed
between the supply and communication facilities.

433. ATTENDANT ON SURFACE AT JOINT-USE

MANHOLES

• Work in joint-use (power and communications) manholes requires an

employee to be available on the surface to assist the worker in the manhole.

434. SHEATH CONTINUITY

• Metallic or semiconductive sheath continuity must be maintained when

working on underground cables.