(1) Before any conductor or apparatus is handled, adequate precautions shall be taken, by earthing or other suitable means, to discharge electrically such conductor or apparatus, and any adjacent conductor or apparatus if there is danger therefrom, and to prevent any conductor or apparatus from being accidentally or inadvertently electrically charged when persons are working thereon shall be followed as per the relevant standards.
(2) Every person who is working on an electric supply line or apparatus or both shall be provided with, –
(a) personal protective equipment, tools and devices such as rubber gloves and safety footwear suitable for working voltage, safety belts for working at height, nonconductive ladder, earthing devices of appropriate class, helmet, line tester, hand lines, voltage detector and hand tools as per the relevant standards; and
(b) any other device for protecting him from mechanical and electrical injury due to arc flash and such personal protective equipment, tools and devices shall conform to the relevant standards and shall always be maintained in sound working condition.
(3) No person shall operate and undertake maintenance work on any part or whole of an electrical plant or electric supply line or apparatus and no person shall assist such person on such work, unless he is designated in that behalf and observes the safety precautions given in Part-I, Part-II, Part-III and Part-IV, as the case may be, of Schedule I.
(4) Every telecommunication line on supports carrying an overhead line of voltage exceeding 650 V but not exceeding 33 kV shall, for the purpose of working thereon, be deemed to be a line of voltage exceeding 650 V:
Provided that prior permission shall be taken from the concerned licensee before laying telecommunication lines on electric supports.
(5) For the safety of operating personnel, all non-current carrying metal parts of switchgear and control panels shall be properly earthed and insulating floors or mat conforming to the relevant standards, of appropriate voltage level shall be provided in front and rear of the panels where such personnel are required to carry out operation, maintenance or testing work.
(6) All panels shall be painted with the description of their identification at front and at the rear.