Power Transmission

Fall IssuesDraft 5 13 2014

Old Days

• Linemen climbed

towers using step

bolts.

Climber Training

• Usually a week

long

• Work up to 30-40

feet.

• Fail might mean

termination.

4/10/2012• A power line worker was on a new utility pole

connecting conductors.

• He was about 9 meters above the ground.

• After completing the connections, he started to

descend the pole.

• The gaff on his pole climber cut out of the pole.

• With his body belt around the pole, he fell onto a

horizontal down-guy metal support pole for the utility

pole.

• He had surgery and was hospitalized for 14 days with

fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, fractured legs, and

internal injuries.

• The injured employee had been working for his

employer for 2 years, performing duties of an

electrical distribution mechanic trainee, including

climbing utility poles.

Harness and Snap Hooks

• People started using

large snaphooks.

ANSI Z359.1

• “American National Standard Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components” was originally published in 1992 and later revised in 1999

• The purpose of this Standard was to address the variety of equipment being developed in the rapidly growing field of Fall Protection.

• Used as a basis of Subpart M in OSHA

2007

• Five (5) Standards were approved and effective November 24, 2007:

• ANSI Z359.0 – 2007 Definitions and Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection and Fall Arrest

• ANSI Z359.1 – 2007 Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components

• ANSI Z359.2 – 2007 Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program

• ANSI Z359.3 – 2007 Safety Requirements for Positioning and Travel Restraint Systems

• ANSI Z359.4 – 2007 Safety Requirements for Assisted Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components

Key Changes in Z359.1

• Section 3.2.1.4

• Gate face strength

requirements have

changed from 220

lbs. (1kN) (old

Standard) to 3,600

lbs. (16kN) (new

Standard). Gates strength makes

with capacity.

Key Changes

• Side of gate

strength

requirements have

changed from 350

lbs. (1.55kN) (old

Standard) to 3,600

lbs. (16kN) (new

Standard).

Key Changes

• Minor axis

strength of non-

captive eye snap

hooks or

carabiners must

be 3,600 lbs.

(16kN).

Key Changes

• Section 3.2.2.5a

• Allows the front D-ring to be used in a fall arrest system that:

• (a) Limits the maximum free fall distance to two (2) ft. (0.6m)

• (b) Limits the maximum arrest force to 900 lbs. (4.0kN).

Key Changes

• Addition of double-legged lanyards to the Standard.

• They are defined as lanyards with two (2) integrally connected legs and

• Shall have a minimum of 5,000 lbs. (22.2kN) breaking strength when statically tested in accordance with 4.3.4.1.3.

Y Lanyard Warning

• Connect only the center snap hook to the fall arrest attachment element

• Do not modify the lanyard to create more than a 6 ft. (1.8m) free fall

• Do not allow the legs of the lanyard to pass under arms, between legs or around the neck

Never choker a lanyard back

unto itself.

Y-Lanyards

• Do not attach the leg of

the lanyard which is not in

use to the harness, except

to attachment points

specifically designated by

the manufacturer for this

purpose

Key Changes

• Snap hooks and connectors marked

• Year of manufacture

• Manufacturer’s identification

• Part number

• Load rating for the major axis of the connector stamped or otherwise permanently marked on the device

• Load rating for gate stamped or otherwise permanently marked on the gate mechanism

• Markings for connectors shall be sufficient to provide traceability

• For connectors that are non-integral, include the Standard number “Z359.1 (07)” ANSI

Anchorages

• Noncertified

• A fall arrest anchorage that a

competent person can judge to

be capable of supporting the

predetermined anchorage forces

• Certified

• Qualified person certifies the

anchorage to be capable of

supporting the potential fall

forces that could be

encountered during the fall

Anchorage Static Load

Requirements

• Noncertified

• Fall Arrest Systems 5,000 lbs. (22.2 kN)

• Work Positioning Systems 3,000 lbs. (13.3 kN)

• Restraint & Travel Systems 1,000 lbs. (4.5 kN)

• Rescue Systems 3,000 lbs. (13.3 kN)

• Certified

• 2 X maximum arresting force

• 2 X foreseeable force

• 2 X foreseeable force

• 5 X applied load

Retractable Lifelines

• ANSI Z359.14-2012

• Two classifications for self-retracting devices according to dynamic performance:

• Class A for maximum arrest distances of 24 inches (610mm) and

• Class A devices will arrest a fall in less than two feet, which is important when fall clearance is limited. For Class A devices, the average arrest force must not exceed 1,350 pounds (6kN) or a maximum peak force of 1,800 pounds (8kN).

Retractables

• Class B for maximum arrest distances of 54 inches (1,372mm).

• For Class B devices, the average arrest force must not exceed 900 pounds (4kN) or a maximum peak of 1,800 pounds (8kN). Average arrest forces are calculated by averaging every data point over 500 pounds (2.22kN) during the arrest period of the self-retracting device on the force/time graph.

Retractables

• For the first time,

manufacturers are required

to perform special testing

to evaluate the

performance of self-

retracting devices with

leading edge capability

• Look for SRL-LEAdditional marking requirements for

self-retracting lanyards with leading

edge capability are also specified and

include: minimum installation

setback distance and clearance

required when falling over the edge.

Retractables

• ANSI Z359.14 (2012) Self-retracting lanyards with leading edge capability (SRL-LEs).

• The test edge material is very sharp metal with an edge radius of .005 inches (.13mm) or less.

• An energy absorber is required and must not be separable from the SRD device or lifeline.

• Testing is expanded to include “offset” testing that tests sliding of the lifeline along the edge.

• Dynamic Strength Testing requires repeating the perpendicular and off-set tests with a 282 lb. weight

• Markings on the device and use

instructions have been expanded to

provide advice to equipment users

about leading edge work.

Retractables

• ANSI Z359.14

• Inspection of these

are required by

manufacturer every

1-5 years

depending on use.

Work Positioning

• Positioning device system means a body belt or body harness system rigged to allow an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical surface, such as a wall, and work with both hands free while leaning.

• Work Positioning free fall cannot exceed 24 inches

• Max fall arrest force is 900 lbs.

• Lanyards and harnesses used. Avoid belts.

• Equipment must have minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.

Descent Control

• Capacity of 310 lbs.

• Single-use devices must

have a minimum descent

energy rating of 30,000

ft./lb.

• Multiple-use devices must

have a minimum descent

energy rating of 300,000

ft./lb.

• Descent speeds meet ANSI.

Deceleration Distance

• The ANSI Z359.13-2009 standard has developed new design criteria for the performance and testing methods of EA lanyards.

• Specifically, the new ANSI energy absorbers will increase the user’s deceleration distance from 42 inches (3.5 ft) to 48 inches (4.0 ft), which will increase your overall potential fall distance.

April 2014

• Cell Tower worker

slipped on plate.

• Successful rescue.

Rescue Training

• Practice as team

• Medical

considerations

• Practice for the

worst case

Types of Aerial Lifts

A92.5 Self

Propelled

Extensible

Boom

A92.6 Self

Propelled

Scissor

type

A92.2 Vehicle Mounted

Training

• National Training guidelines

• International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) www.ipaf.org

• "Spot the Mistake" video

• Successful trainees are awarded the PAL Card (Powered Access Licence) as proof of training

Inspections

• Inspect before use using manufacturer’s guidelines

• Check all working components and safety device.

• Address all leakage of fluids.

• Search for defective hydraulic/pneumatic cables.

• Look for electrical tape as quickfix that is not acceptable.

• Is the lift level?

• Where are the holes or other drop offs for the lift?

Fall Protection Best Practice

• Once a person is fallen/bounced out of the lift, it becomes a fall arrest event. Body harness and energy absorbing lanyard must have been used.

• In A92.2 and A92.5 lifts, the user should keep the lanyard short as possible. The ideal anchorage at your feet so any fall forces are minimized.

A92.2 Vehicle Mounted

• These lifts should have

outriggers deployed as

required by the

manufacturer.

A92.2 Vehicle Mounted

• Working near an overhead electrical feed is dangerous without training and proper equipment.

• A fiberglass bucket does not mean you are protected.

• Extensive electrical training is need for the worker.

A92.2 Vehicle Mounted

• The area is not roped off to prevent someone from getting stuck by falling branches.

• Using a chainsaw requires a written personal protective equipment analysis.

• The lift should have proper traffic devices to prevent getting hit by a motorist.

Issues

• Is there a rescue

plan if the lift is

stuck up in the air?

Electrical

• 20 feet safe distance from

electrical in crane standard

1926.1400. (under 50,000 volts)

• Aerial Lifts is 10 feet (under

50,000 volts)

• If you must use the lift closer,

this must be preplanned and

elements of the crane standard

must be addressed in the

planning.

April 2014

• Two died

• Utility workers

were 150 feet up

working on lines

when the boom

collapsed.

The New Standard

• The long-overdue final rule updating a 40-year-old

standard will save nearly 20 lives and prevent 118

serious injuries annually.

• Electric utilities, electrical contractors, and labor

organizations have long championed these much

needed measures to better protect the men and women

who work on or near electrical power lines.

• — Dr. David Michaels Assistant Secretary of Labor for

Occupational Safety and Health

11/20/2011

• Two power line workers were troubleshooting a

blown fuse on a utility pole.

• They determined that the repair would take less

than 15 minutes.

• For this period, company policy did not require

the use of work-zone signs.

• The employees activated caution strobes on both

of their trucks and completed the necessary

repairs.

• As one of the workers was moving the boom on

his aerial lift away from the pole, a tractor-trailer

struck it.

• He was ejected and killed.

Rescue Training

• (b)(ii) Each employee shall also

be trained in and familiar with

any other safety practices,

including applicable emergency

procedures (such as pole-top

and manhole rescue), that are

not specifically addressed by

this subpart but that are related

to his or her work and are

necessary for his or her safety.

First Aid

(b) First-aid training. In addition to

the requirements of §1926.50,

when employees are performing

work on, or associated with,

exposed lines or equipment

energized at 50 volts or more,

persons with first-aid training shall

be available as follows:

(1) Field work. For field work

involving two or more employees

at a work location, at least two

trained persons shall be available

NFPA 70E has also

required CPR and

AED for electricians

1926.952 Job briefing

(a) Before each job. (1)

Information provided by the

employer. In assigning an

employee or a group of employees

to perform a job, the employer

shall provide the employee in

charge of the job with all available

information that relates to the

determination of existing

characteristics and conditions

required by §1926.950(d).

Fall Protection

• 954 (b) Fall protection. (1)

Personal fall arrest systems. (i)

Personal fall arrest systems

shall meet the requirements of

Subpart M of this part.

Arc Rated

• A dielectric test;

• A current leakage test;

• Tension tests

• A buckle-tear

• A flammability test in

accordance with Table V-1.

Positioning Belts

• (viii) The cushion part of the body

belt shall contain no exposed rivets on

the inside and shall be at least 76

millimeters (3 inches) in width.

• (x) Copper, steel, or equivalent liners

shall be used around the bars of D

rings to prevent wear between these

members and the leather or fabric

enclosing them.

Snap Hooks

• (xi) Snaphooks shall be of the locking type meeting the following

requirements:

• (A) The locking mechanism shall first be released, or a destructive

force shall be placed on the keeper, before the keeper will open.

• (B) A force in the range of 6.7 N (1.5 lbf) to 17.8 N (4 lbf) shall be

required to release the locking mechanism.

• (C) With the locking mechanism released and with a force applied on

the keeper against the face of the nose, the keeper may not begin to

open with a force of 11.2 N (2.5 lbf) or less and shall begin to open

with a maximum force of 17.8 N (4 lbf).

Belts and Positioning tests

• (A) The test mass shall be

rigidly constructed of steel or

equivalent material with a mass

of 100 kg (220.5 lbm). For

work-positioning equipment

used by employees weighing

more than 140 kg (310 lbm)

fully equipped, the test mass

shall be increased

proportionately (that is, the test

mass must equal the mass of the

equipped worker divided by

1.4).

Fall Protection

• (3) Care and use of personal

fall protection equipment. (i)

Work-positioning equipment

shall be inspected before use

each day to determine that the

equipment is in safe working

condition.

• Work-positioning equipment

that is not in safe working

condition may not be used.

Fall Protection

• (iii) The employer shall ensure

that employees use fall

protection systems as follows:

• (A) Each employee working

from an aerial lift shall use a

fall restraint system or a

personal fall arrest system.

Paragraph (b)(2)(v) of

§1926.453 does not apply.

Climbing School

• On and after April 1, 2015, each

qualified employee climbing or

changing location on poles,

towers, or similar structures

must use fall protection

equipment unless the employer

can demonstrate that climbing

or changing location with fall

protection is infeasible or

creates a greater hazard than

climbing or changing location

without it.

Work Positioning

• (iv) On and after April 1, 2015,

work-positioning systems shall

be rigged so that an employee

can free fall no more than 0.6

meters (2 feet).

• (v) Anchorages for work-

positioning equipment shall be

capable of supporting at least

twice the potential impact load

of an employee’s fall, or 13.3

kilonewtons (3,000 pounds-

force), whichever is greater.

Snap Hooks

• (vi) Unless the snaphook is a locking type and designed specifically for

the following connections, snaphooks on work-positioning equipment

may not be engaged:

• (A) Directly to webbing, rope, or wire rope;

• (B) To each other;

• (C) To a D ring to which another snaphook or other connector is

attached;

• (D) To a horizontal lifeline; or

• (E) To any object that is incompatibly shaped or dimensioned in

relation to the snaphook such that accidental disengagement could

occur should the connected object sufficiently depress the snaphook

keeper to allow release of the object.

Questions?