HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2441

Approved May 27, 1980.

CHAPTER 710

(Senate Bill 478)

AN ACT concerning

Occupational Safety - Work in Manholes

FOR the purpose of safeguarding employees who are required
to work in manholes from the hazards of this type of
work; requiring an employee to be available in the
immediate vicinity of a manhole at certain times; and
providing exceptions.

BY adding to

Article 89 - Division of Labor and Industry

Section 49C

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1979 Replacement Volume and 1979 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 89 - Division of Labor and Industry

49C.

WHILE HAZARDOUS WORK IS BEING PERFORMED IN A MANHOLE,
AN EMPLOYEE SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE IMMEDIATE
VICINITY TO RENDER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AS MAY BE REQUIRED.
THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE:

(1)  THE EMPLOYEE IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY FROM
OCCASIONALLY ENTERING A MANHOLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, OTHER
THAN EMERGENCY; OR

(2)  A QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE, WORKING ALONE, FROM
ENTERING FOR BRIEF PERIODS OF TIME A MANHOLE WHERE CABLES OR
EQUIPMENT ARE IN SERVICE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSPECTION,
HOUSEKEEPING, TAKING READINGS, OR SIMILAR OTHER WORK IF THE
WORK CAN BE PERFORMED SAFELY.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1. 1980.

Approved May 27, 1980.