A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT relating to the occupational safety of work in manholes.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 16 of Chapter 95 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 95-156.  Work in manholes.
(a)	While 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.
(b)	Nothing in subsection (a) of this section precludes:
(1)	The employee in the immediate vicinity from 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 other work if the work can be performed safely."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.