OVERVIEW

Linemen and cablemen must use protective equipment to safely complete work on energized equipment. Safety rules based upon the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) rules 1926.950 and 1910.269 (Chap. 46), the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and work procedures developed from years of experience and corrective measures adopted from the investigation of serious electrical accidents all require the use of proper protective equipment to cover energized conductors and equipment as well as grounded surfaces in the work area. Proper procedures, the right tools, and correctly selected and applied protective equipment are all necessary to complete energized electric distribution work safely and efficiently.

Each work project and especially those projects requiring linemen and cablemen to handle energized electrical conductors should be planned in detail. The plan should be developed to ensure the safety of the workers and the reliability of electric service. Hazards to the linemen, the cablemen, and the public should be identified as a part of the planning process. As work procedures are developed, they should include safeguards for all hazards identified. Prior to starting the work, a tailgate conference should be held to communicate the plan and work procedures to all crew members. A tailgate conference is pictured in Fig. 45.1. When the work is initiated, the plan must be followed without shortcuts to ensure safe and reliable completion of the assignment.

Figure 45.1: Supervisor is reviewing work plan with linemen prior to starting the job. The tailgate conference is being held in a conference room...