Safety in Overhead Line Maintenance

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines hazards that may be present during overhead line maintenance operations. The course also introduces protective equipment designed to create a barrier between lineworkers and high voltage lines and equipment, and reviews safety practices that will help ensure a safe work environment.

COURSE GOALS

• Discuss safety practices associated with overhead line maintenance.

• Identify potential electrical, structural, and climbing hazards associated with overhead line maintenance.

• Identify and discuss the function of protective equipment used during overhead line maintenance.

SUBJECTS AND OBJECTIVES

Safety Overview

• Describe the proper attitude toward safety in overhead line maintenance.

• Identify electrical hazards in overhead line maintenance.

• Identify structural hazards in overhead line maintenance.

• Describe storage procedures for equipment used in overhead line maintenance.

Care and Use of Safety Equipment

• Identify safety equipment commonly used in overhead line maintenance.

• Describe the proper testing and maintenance procedures for safety equipment.

• Explain the proper use of safety equipment.

Climbing Safety

• Explain how to store and inspect climbing equipment.

• Identify some of the most common hazards that may be found prior to climbing a pole.

Electrical Hazards

• Identify types of circuits and voltage levels.

• Identify grounds and grounded equipment.

• Describe how to create a safe work area using insulating covers.

Safety With Tools and Equipment

• Describe safe methods of using tools and equipment designed for overhead line maintenance.

Pole Top Rescue

• Describe how to safely handle an electrical shock victim when he’s on a pole.

• Explain the correct way to tie a handline to an electrical shock victim.

• Describe how to safely lower an electrical shock victim from a pole.