The IEEE Guide for Maintenance Methods on Energized Power-Lines (IEEE Standard 516) provides detailed information concerning work by linemen from insulated aerial platforms. The procedures discussed in the standard should be followed while performing work on energized power lines.

Insulated Aerial Lifts. The American National Standard entitled, Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Devices (ANSI Standard A92-2) provides information on insulated aerial devices commonly used by linemen and cablemen. Mobile extension ladders have long been useful for tree trimming and for the replacement of burned-out lamps in street lighting fixtures. The insulated aerial platform has replaced the insulated extension ladder for most operations. The mobile insulated aerial platform has an insulated section in the upper portion of the boom assembly and an insulated insert in the lower portion of the lifting boom (Fig. 25.1). The fiberglass-insulated section of the upper portion of the boom provides protection from ground for the lineman and the insert near the mounting mechanism for the boom provides isolation for a groundman if the metal in the boom assembly accidentally contacts an energized conductor. The mobile insulated aerial platform is an improved device for street-lighting maintenance and a safer platform for tree trimming near energized lines, but its greatest field of usefulness is for live-line maintenance (Fig. 25.2 and Fig. 25.3). It can serve as a platform from which to perform live-line operations in three ways:

1. Using rubber gloves on distribution lines

2. Using conventional hot-line tools on distribution and transmission lines

3. Using bare hands on...