DLC_Manhole_Entry_Guidance_Letter_VE_(1).pdf

January 19, 2022

Subject: DLC Manhole Entry Guidance

Dear Duquesne Light Contractor or third‐party attachment company, Duquesne Light Company (DLC) recently experienced an incident while work was being performed in a manhole.

The investigation is ongoing, but realizing that qualified communication companies and electrical contractors at times enter our energized manholes, we’d like to share actions we’ve already taken to help avoid future incidents.

At the time of the incident a DLC employee was working on the de‐energized cable of one circuit, when the energized cable on another circuit in the same manhole failed. The resulting arc flash seriously injured the DLC worker in the manhole. We are thankful that his recovery is progressing well at this time.

In response to this incident, DLC has implemented an Infrared (IR) testing procedure for our employees who must work in energized manholes. Additionally, DLC employees must wear fire‐retardant (“FR”) coveralls over their normal FR clothing as added protection. Your company may utilize similar measures to ensure the safety of your employees who enter energized manholes. At a minimum, all companies must comply with all regulatory requirements including OSHA 1910.269 ‐ Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution.

DLC would like to reinforce expectations related to the entry and exit of manholes and working within our underground assets. When your Company or Qualified Contractor working on your behalf is performing work within DLC manholes, the DLC Operations Center must be notified. When the work is planned, you are asked to provide the DLC Operations Center with no less than 24 hours of advance notice of your intention to enter a DLC manhole. You should notify the DLC Operations Center by calling: 412‐798‐7432. When you place this call, you should be prepared to provide a street address, the manhole number and the date when you plan to enter the manhole. Upon your arrival to the manhole for either planned or emergent work, you are again required to call the DLC Operations Center. If your pre‐entry inspection process reveals any concerns related to the manhole, you should immediately contact the DLC Operations Center and exit the manhole. Finally, once you have completed your work in the manhole, you should again notify the DLC Operations Center.

If you are performing work for a third‐party attachment company (Communication Company) with assets in a DLC manhole, you are also required to complete the attached form. The completed form should be faxed or emailed to the DLC Operations Center (412.393.8082 DOCSupervisors@duqlight.com) along with emailed to the Third Party Attachment Department (assetattachment@duqlight.com) with at least 24 hours of advance notice. Please ensure the name of the Contractor performing the work and the Company they are performing the work for are stated on this form. Even if you are performing emergent work, you must still submit the form prior to entry.

While DLC continues its investigation, we have also created a temporary Operating Guide specifically for manholes on New Beaver Ave in the area between Doerr St and Preble Ave, where the incident occurred. Given this temporary Operating Guide, it makes it imperative that you provide notice to the DLC Operations Center as outlined above. Failure to comply with OSHA’s regulatory requirements and failure to provide notice to the DLC Operations Center could place your employees or contractors at risk for serious physical injury or even death.

Thank you, Vince Edwards Supervisor, Third Party Attachments vedwards@duqlight.com