New York Consolidated Laws, Labor Law - LAB § 207-a. Employee safety in work on energized high voltage lines

1. There shall be no change in the present industry work practices, procedures and standards with regard to bare-hand, live-line techniques or with insulated-glove techniques in the handling of energized high-voltage lines and equipment having a voltage differential in excess of 15 kv between any pair of conductors or grounds.  Changes in industry work practices, procedures and standards relative to the handling of energized high-voltage lines and equipment having a voltage differential in excess of 15 kv between any pair of conductors or grounds shall be permitted where such changes require the utilization of “hot stick” methods.  Nothing contained herein shall prevent any change in industry work practices, procedures and standards with regard to the handling of energized voltage lines and equipment having a high-voltage differential in excess of 100 kv between any pair of conductors or grounds.

2. For the purposes of this section the term “work” shall include, but not be limited to the erection, maintenance, repair, construction or installation of such energized conductors or associated equipment and lines in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

3. No provision herein is to prevent or prohibit any appropriate administrative or rule-making body from making and issuing appropriate rules and regulations concerning employee or worker safety in the work to be performed on energized or properly grounded high-voltage electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment.