Electrical corporations: underground electrical facilities: worker safety.

The Public Utilities Act authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to require public utilities, including electrical corporations, to construct, maintain, and operates their facilities and equipment to promote and safeguard the health and safety of its employees. A violation of the Public Utilities Act, or any decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission would be a crime. This bill would require the commission, on or before January 1, 2016, to adopt a rule regulating work performed in underground electrical facilities by, or on behalf of, an electrical corporation that is consistent with certain worker safety protections. Because a violation of the rule would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.