An act relating to and authorizing the use of insulated gloves as well as tools equipped with insulated handles for certain electrical and telecommunications work.

The intent of this act relates to the use of insulated gloves for certain electrical and telecommunications work. The use of insulated gloves in connection with electrical and telecommunications work is increasingly more common and is now specifically authorized by federal regulations. In many situations, employees in the electrical and telecommunications industry can perform their work more safely using insulated gloves rather than tools equipped with insulated handles.

Unless an employee is insulated or guarded from the energized part or the energized part is insulated or guarded from the employee, the employer may not allow an employee to approach or take a conductive object closer to exposed parts that are energized at 5,000 volts or more from phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground than the distance set out in current regulations. An employee may be insulated by using approved rubber gloves or by using tools with approved insulating handles.

The employee shall have the right to decide between using insulated or rubber gloves or a tool with an insulated handle for a particular task.

An employer may not be held liable for damages caused by an employee's decision to use either rubber gloves or a tool with an insulated handle.