When bidding or evaluating work that will require protective cover, answer the following questions to help determine what kind of protective cover will be required and how it will be installed (and later removed):

• Can cover be applied by aerial lift, or will the pole need to be climbed? 
• Will the condition of adjacent structures or conductors support the weight of the protective cover and the force needed to install it? 
• Can a planned outage be scheduled to eliminate the hazard? 
• What protective equipment is needed? 
• What methods will be used to apply the protective equipment? 
• What team members are needed for the methods and cover selected? 

Conduct a comprehensive job briefing once the job is assigned and crew members are on-site. Include a discussion of hazards, work procedures, special precautions, energy source controls and PPE requirements. Everyone should know what energized parts and secondary points of contact will be covered, by whom and when. “When” is an important consideration, since protective cover will likely be moved around during work. Additionally, it will be important to identify a hold point in the job progression before the task is completed. 

Inspection, testing and repairs

• Installation of protective cover should be as methodical as possible. 
• Begin by applying cover to the nearest current-carrying conductor (usually the neutral) as the worker approaches. 
• Consider unpinning from the spool shackle, lowering and securing to the pole if there is vertical clearance. 
• Cover the first energized conductor. Always cover from the outside in, unless standing on a pole, then cover inside conductors to outside phase conductors. 
• Continue until all energized conductors in the work area are covered before installing cover on the path to ground and differences of potential. 
• Cover all paths to ground in the work area. 
• While performing a task, uncover only enough to do the work. 
• Install a blanket over line hoses if contact with them is likely, in order to provide a second layer of protection.
• If at any time work is outside the previously covered conductors, install cover or move it to the new work area.

Discussion questions

• What are some helpful questions to ask when planning to use a protective cover on the job site?
• What information should be included in a job briefing about protective cover?
• What are the steps to installing a protective cover?