Or. Admin. Code § 860-024-0001

Current through Register Vol. 64, No. 1, January 1, 2025

Section 860-024-0001 - Definitions for Safety Standards

For purposes of this Division, except when a different scope is explicitly stated:

(1) "Commission Safety Rules," as used in this section, mean the National Electric Safety Code (NESC), as modified or supplemented by the rules in OAR chapter 860, division 024.

(2) "Facility" means any of the following lines or pipelines including associated plant, systems, supporting and containing structures, equipment, apparatus, or appurtenances:

(a) A gas pipeline subject to ORS 757.039;

(b) A power line or electric supply line subject to ORS 757.035; or

(c) A telegraph, telephone, signal, or communication line subject to ORS 757.035.

(3) "Good Utility Practice" means a practice, method, policy, or action engaged in or accepted by a significant portion of the electric industry in a region, which a reasonable utility official would expect, in light of the facts reasonably discernable at the time and given applicable local conditions, to accomplish the desired result reliably, safely and expeditiously.

(4) "Government entity" means a city, a county, a municipality, the state, or other political subdivision within Oregon.

(5) "High Fire Risk Zones"or "HFRZ" are geographic areas identified by Operators of electric facilities in their risk-based wildfire plans.

(6) "HFRZ Ignition Prevention Inspection" means an inspection that identifies potential sources of electrical ignition on any utility pole, structure, duct, or conduit owned by either the Owner or an Occupant in a High Fire Risk Zone. The inspection can be combined with other safety or detailed inspections as required by rule.

(7) "Material violation" means a violation that:

(a) Is reasonably expected to endanger life or property; or

(b) Poses a significant safety risk to any Operator's employees or a potential risk to the general public.

(8) "Occupant" means any licensee, Government Entity, or other entity that constructs, operates, or maintains attachments on poles, structures or within conduits.

(9) "Operator" means every person as defined in ORS 756.010, public utility as defined in ORS 757.005, electricity service supplier as defined in OAR 860-038-0005, telecommunications utility as defined in ORS 759.005, telecommunications carrier as defined in ORS 759.400, telecommunications provider as defined in OAR 860-032-0001, consumer-owned utility as defined in ORS 757.270, cable Operator as defined in ORS 30.192, association, cooperative, or government entity and their agents, lessees, or acting trustees or receivers, appointed by court, engaged in the management, operation, ownership, or control of any facility within Oregon.

(10) "Owner" means a public utility, telecommunications utility, or consumer-owned utility that owns or controls poles, structures, ducts, conduits, right of way, manholes, handholes or other similar facilities.

(11) "Pattern of non-compliance" means a course of behavior that results in frequent, material violations of the Commission Safety Rules.

(12) "Reporting Operator" means an Operator that:

(a) Serves 20 customers or more within Oregon; or

(b) Is an electricity service supplier as defined in OAR 860-038-0005 and serves more than one retail electricity customer.

Or. Admin. Code § 860-024-0001

PUC 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 4-18-96 (Order No. 96-102); PUC 9-1998, f. & cert. ef. 4-28-98; PUC 23-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-11-01; PUC 9-2006, f. & cert. ef. 9-28-06; PUC 6-2022, amend filed 09/22/2022, effective 9/22/2022

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, ORS 756, ORS 757 & ORS 759

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040, ORS 757.035, ORS 757.039, ORS 757.649, ORS 758.215, ORS 759.005 & ORS 759.045