Outside line work is necessary for routine maintenance, storm restoration and establishing service. As a result, linemen are exposed to the risks associated with electrical hazards as well as those created by Mother Nature. Fortunately, safety measures can mitigate the risks associated with environmental hazards.

Linemen are often required to conduct tree trimming and line-clearance operations. Both activities result in thousands of injuries each year because some workers ignore common safety practices. Whenever tree trimming or line clearing, workers must always wear the appropriate approved protective gear.

When working in an elevated position, linemen must be safe from falls. Securely tying or belting to the tree with an approved fall-protection system is one option. Dead or rotted limbs cannot be used for support. Chaps provide protection when operating a chain saw. If tree trimming, tree felling, brush loading or brush disposal operations are occurring on or near streets, highways or other public areas, the appropriate signs, barricades, cones, flags, flares or other devices must be used to warn motorists and others.

To obey right-of-way maintenance protocols, workers must be at least 10 feet away from anyone else clearing or cutting brush. When they are using land-clearing equipment or lawn mowers, only one person at a time is allowed on the equipment. A seat belt must always be worn when workers are operating land-clearing machinery. When emerging from a right of way, operators must check the brakes on the equipment before engaging in any road travel.

Whenever herbicides or chemicals are used to help clear brush and trees from a work site, avoid skin contact and wear proper protective equipment. Herbicides or chemicals should not be used if there are wind velocities of greater than 15 miles per hour. Empty containers or spray cans must be properly disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations.

Large birds are another common hazard. Their droppings build up on insulators and cause damage. Porcelain insulators with too much of the skirt lost will allow a flashover. Look for other fire-causing conditions, such as damaged hardware, broken crossarms, bird-damaged poles, damaged insulators, etc.

Linemen are often required to work during storms when power outages occur. These conditions can increase the level of danger already associated with the hazardous responsibilities these workers encounter regularly. Utility companies have comprehensive plans for managing storm outages. This includes detailed onboarding for contractors assisting with restoration. Workers must be familiar with those plans and participate in onboarding activities.

Employees tasked with a restoration effort need to survey the storm damage that has caused the outage and establish and maintain regular communication with local area work centers. Before beginning any work, they must participate in a job briefing identifying the hazards and the manner in which the task will be executed. It is imperative to determine the actual or maximum nominal voltage of conductors or equipment that will be worked on. Be aware of any potential arc flash hazards at each work location.

The National Electric Safety Code requires an arc-flash hazard analysis be conducted for individuals working on or near energized lines or equipment. In the event the potential arc flash energy is greater than 2 calories per cm2, linemen must wear protective clothing with an effective arc rating not less than the anticipated level of arc energy. Lines and equipment to be worked on must be properly grounded and tagged as needed. All protective grounding equipment must be capable of conducting the maximum fault current that could flow at the point of grounding for the time necessary to clear the fault. Grounds and jumpers need to be tested at regular intervals and visually inspected before and after use.

If any anomalies such as a flattened or smashed section of the cable, broken cable strands, corrosion, split or cracked clamps, excessive wear on clamp jaws or bolt thread or loose connections are present that could compromise the equipment, it must be taken out of service.

When working outdoors, appropriate clothing for the weather conditions must be worn. Tired workers are more likely to make mistakes. Workers must not be overworked or perform any task when overly fatigued. It is imperative they have a minimum of eight hours off duty during each 24-hour period. Do not allow workers to sleep in a truck or on the job. Make appropriate resting facilities available. Monitor the weather, and be aware of potential dangers created by Mother Nature that can affect workers in the field!

For more information, visit www.osha.gov.