1.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this program is to set forth procedures for safe work being performed on or near
energized lines by Nitro Construction Services employees.
2.0 SCOPE
This program applies to all Nitro employees, temporary employees, and sub-contractors. When work is
performed on a non-owned or operated site, the operator’s program shall take precedence,
however, this document covers Nitro employees and sub-contractors and shall be used on own
premises, or when an operator’s program does not exist or is less stringent.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY
3.1 The site manager or their, qualified designee, is responsible for the implementation of this procedure. The site manager or their, qualified designee, will also be responsible to assure that this procedure is made available to all employees to which this policy applies.
4.0 PROCEDURE
4.1 Structure Access
4.1.1 Before any work being started, each pole or other structure supporting overhead electrical transmission lines shall be inspected. The inspection shall be completed by a competent person who can determine that the structure will be able to support the additional stresses imposed upon it. The competent person shall instruct the installation of any additional bracing before Nitro Employees access the structure. Note: Methods of Inspecting and Testing Wooden Poles 29 CFR 1910.269 App D
4.1.2 Follow the guidelines outlined in 29 CFR 1910.269 App F for the inspection of Work Positioning Equipment Inspection as it pertains to climbing poles, or other line supporting structures.
4.2 Pole Setting and Relocation
4.2.1 When a pole is set, moved or removed near an exposed energized overhead conductor, the pole may not contact the conductor.
4.2.2 When a pole is set, moved, or removed near an exposed energized overhead conductor, Nitro Construction Services shall ensure that each employee wears electrical protective equipment or uses insulated devices when handling the pole and that no employee contacts the pole with uninsulated parts of his or her body.
4.2.3 To protect employees from falling into holes used for placing poles, Nitro Electric shall physically guard the holes, or ensure that employees attend the holes, whenever anyone is working nearby
4.3 Overhead Electric Line Installation
4.3.1 When lines that employees are installing or removing can contact energized parts, Nitro Construction Services shall use the tension-stringing method, barriers, or other equivalent measures to minimize the possibility that conductors and cables the employees are installing or removing will contact energized power lines or equipment.
4.3.2 For conductors, cables, and pulling and tensioning equipment, Nitro Construction Services shall provide protective measures when employees are installing or removing a conductor or cable close enough to energized conductors that any of the following failures could energize the pulling or tensioning equipment or the conductor or cable being installed or removed:
4.3.2.1 Failure of the pulling or tensioning equipment
4.3.2.2 Failure of the conductor or cable being pulled
4.3.2.3 Failure of the previously installed lines or equipment
4.3.3 Before employees install lines parallel to existing energized lines, Nitro Construction Services shall decide of the approximate voltage to be induced in the new lines, or work shall proceed on the assumption that the induced voltage is hazardous. Unless Nitro can demonstrate that the lines that employees are installing are not subject to the induction of a hazardous voltage or unless the lines are treated as energized, temporary protective grounds shall be placed at such locations and arranged in such a manner that Nitro can demonstrate will prevent exposure of each employee to hazardous differences in electric potential
4.3.4 Reel-handling equipment, including pulling and tensioning devices, shall be in safe operating condition and shall be leveled and aligned.
4.3.5 Nitro Construction Services shall ensure that employees do not exceed load ratings of stringing lines, pulling lines, conductor grips, load-bearing hardware and accessories, rigging, and hoists
4.3.6 Nitro Construction Services shall repair or replace defective pulling lines and accessories
4.3.7 Nitro Construction Services shall ensure that employees maintain reliable communications, through two-way radios or other equivalent means, between the reel tender and the pulling-rig operator
4.3.7.1 Employees may operate the pulling rig only when it is safe to do so
4.3.8 While a power-driven device is pulling the conductor, or pulling line and the conductor or pulling line is in motion, Nitro shall ensure that employees are not directly under overhead operations or on the cross-arm, except as necessary for the employees to guide the stringing sock or board over or through the stringing sheave
4.4 Adverse Weather Conditions
4.4.1 Nitro Construction Services shall ensure that employees do not perform work when adverse weather conditions would make the work hazardous. Additionally, employees may not perform work when winds reduce the phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground clearances at the work location below the minimum approach distances specified in 1910. 269 Table R-3, unless insulating guards cover the grounded objects and other lines and equipment.
4.4.1.1 Thunderstorms in the vicinity, high winds, snowstorms, and ice storms are examples of adverse weather conditions that make live-line barehand work too hazardous to perform safely.
4.5 Live-Line Barehand Work
4.5.1 Before an employee uses or supervises the use of the live-line barehand technique on energized circuits, Nitro Construction Services shall ensure that the employee completes a degree of training that would signify they are qualified in the live-line barehand technique, and in the safety requirements listed below.
4.5.2 Before any employee uses the live-line barehand technique on energized high-voltage conductors or parts, Nitro Construction Services shall ascertain the following information:
4.5.2.1 The nominal voltage rating of the circuit on which employees will perform the work
4.5.2.2 The clearances to the ground of lines and other energized parts on which employees will perform the work
4.5.2.3 The voltage limitations of equipment employees will use
4.5.3 Nitro Construction Services shall ensure that the insulated equipment, insulated tools, and aerial devices and platforms used by employees are designed, tested, and made for live-line barehand work
4.5.4 Nitro Construction Services shall ensure that employees keep tools and equipment clean and dry while they are in use
4.5.5 Nitro Construction Services shall render inoperable the automatic-reclosing feature of circuit-interrupting devices protecting the lines if the design of the devices permits
4.6 Training
4.6.1 Employees will receive training on the contents of this procedure before performing any work on or near energized lines. Training shall be documented and retained in the employees’ training file.
4.6.2 Only qualified employees shall be authorized to perform any type of work involving life electrical components.