What is protective cover?

A protective cover provides insulation from inadvertent contact with lines and other energized equipment during hot work. Protective cover is not intended for direct, intentional contacts. Application of protective cover is required when lineworkers must enter the minimum approach distance. 

How it is used

• The best way to protect workers against inadvertent contact is to maintain isolation from energized parts and secondary points of contact.
• Protective cover for equipment and lines should be used in addition to wearing PPE such as rubber insulating gloves and sleeves, and performing work with live line tools.

Types of protective cover

Common types of protective cover include line hose, blankets, insulator covers, cable end caps, meter lug covers, pole and pole top covers, cross-arm guard and cross-arm end covers. Protective cover will be made of a material with insulating properties such as rubber, an elastomer, thermoplastic polymers, hard plastic or a combination of materials. It will be either resistant or nonresistant to ozone. 

Factors such as the system voltage, altitude, types of energized equipment and work methods (e.g., hot sticking, rubbing gloving) will affect the selection of the protective cover type and the material(s) it’s made of.

Care and storage

Protective cover items require appropriate care and storage to protect its insulating properties, including: 

• Periodic cleaning to remove foreign substances.
• Storage in a dedicated bag or container in a location protected from light, extreme temperatures, excess humidity and ozone, as well as away from tools, materials, oil/grease and other substances that could damage the material.
• Secure protective cover using only nylon cable ties, clean and dry rope or devices designed to secure equipment, such as clamp pins and buttons.
• Avoidance of materials that can degrade or damage the insulating properties of the equipment, such as adhesive-backed tape and sharp objects/surfaces.

Inspection, testing and repairs

• Rubber gloves must be electrically tested every 6 months, and rubber sleeves and blankets every 12 months. The last test or expiration date shall be stamped on the item.
• Rubber gloves must be air-tested to check for leaks. Some jurisdictions additionally require water be used during field testing. 
• Visually inspect all other items prior to each use for defects such as a hole, tear, puncture or cut; embedded foreign objects; swelling, softening or hardening, or being sticky or inelastic; signs of ozone deterioration such as cracking, breaks or pitting; or other defects that compromise the insulating properties. 
• Material used for Type II insulating equipment shall be capable of withstanding an ozone test during the respective electrical test cycle (6–12 months), with no visible effects, which will reliably indicate that the material will resist ozone exposure in actual use. 
• Repairs may be made in some instances, such as cutting off a defective portion of a hose or using a compatible patch on minor physical defects on rubber gloves or sleeves. Repaired insulating equipment must be retested prior to use.
• Protective cover items should never be used past their expiration date.

Discussion Questions

• What type of protection is protective cover not intended for?
  
• How often must rubber gloves, sleeves and blankets be electrically tested?
• Why is it necessary to properly test, care for and store protective cover?