Indiana Electric Cooperatives Board Meeting

Indiana Electric Cooperatives Board Meeting

Regulatory Compliance Program Report

October 21, 2015

Tim Crouch

VP of Regulatory Compliance Programs

(317) 487-2263– office (812) 322-4138 - cell e-mail –

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issues correcting amendmentson the application of the Electric Power Safety Standards to utility line-clearance tree trimming –OSHA recently issued a correcting amendment providing guidance to electric utilities in regards to the coverage of line clearance tree trimming activities under the revised Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution safety standards. OSHA believed, based upon industry comment, that there was confusion regarding the applicability of the revised standards to tree trimming activities near power lines but falling outside the scope of normal electric utility related activities. OSHA clarified that the revised utility regulations apply only to line clearance tree trimming activities that are performed “for the purpose of clearing space around electric power generation, transmission or distribution lines or equipment AND on behalf of an organization that operates, or that controls the operating procedures for those lines or equipment”. This clarifies that the only line clearance activity that is covered under the electric utility standards is work that is conducted by the electric utility itself or by a contractor of that utility. The clarificationallows members to better target utility line clearance tree trimming activities under the revised regulations. (FR Vol. 80, No. 192, October 5, 2015, P. 60033)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues corrections to revisions of various requirements under current CDL drivercertifications – FMCSA recently issued further technical correction to revised regulations affecting CDL driver qualification and their operation of CMVs. One correction revises the enforcement date for the mandatory use of a new driver medical examination form along with the requirement for the qualifying physician to report drivers who do not medical qualify to the FMCSA by midnight the following day. FMCSA stated that the original enforcement date and technical aspects of the revisions was previously incorrectly published and therefore is adjusting the enforcement date for theabove requirements to December 22, 2015. Staff is currently reviewing the full impact of theselatest corrections. (FR Vol. 80, No. 119, June 22, 2015, P. 35577) (FR Vol. 80, No. 190, October 1, 2015, P. 59065)