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Working while standing on crossarms
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Working while standing on crossarms
Hi,
Attached is a photo where one of our linesmen, standing on a single wooden crossarm, helped out a crew from Horizon Networks on a project, which they did for us at Matauri Bay (and did a great job of it). The photo was sent to me as part of an internal photo competition for me to run a safety eye over it. Unfortunately, the photo is a bit dark, and one might miss some details.
The 2016 EEA Guide to Work on Poles and Pole Structures, Section 10 has the following to say about accessing top crossarms:
10. ACCESSING TOP CROSSARMS
a. Working from a position on top of a single wooden top crossarm is not permitted.
b. Working from a position on top crossarms in circumstances not covered by a. above may be acceptable, e.g. double crossarms or a substantial steel crossarm, if this is deemed to be the most appropriate method to access insulators and conductors, a thorough pre-inspection of the crossarms and attachments has been conducted, and a combination of lanyard and pole strap is used as the means of attachment. The lanyard must be attached to the pole structure as high on the pole as practicable and the pole strap used around the crossarms without slack. When using this method, the pendulum effect in the event of loss of position on the crossarms must be considered, and the lanyard length selected to ensure that other equipment (including live conductors) will remain out of
impact range.
c. Alternative methods of providing access to the top crossarms include:
Use of an EWP
Use of crossarm ladder (if crossarm is sufficiently strong)
Use of pole platform
Installing double instead of single crossarm
Installing a working crossarm at a lower level.
Note: The use of a crossarm ladder, pole platform or working platform would enable access from below the crossarm while permitting attachment at a higher level.
Based on the above, I declined entry of the attached photo for the photo competition. I have however decided to quiz a few individuals around our organisation to test my reasoning and there are numerous opinions and equally as many interpretations on whether it is acceptable or not.
Is the ‘sleep better at night’ clause the part of 10.b. where it says: “If it is deemed to be the most appropriate method to access insulators and conductors, a thorough pre-inspection of the crossarms and attachments has been conducted, and a combination of lanyard and pole strap is used as the means of attachment”?
If worse ever comes to worst, how will one clearly demonstrate that a thorough pre-inspection was indeed conducted and are conducted every time when someone stand on a single wooden crossarm?
How will this be demonstrated; the worksite JSA?
What does ‘thorough pre-inspection’ entail?
Is “other EDB’s are doing it, so we probably can too” an acceptable and strong enough risk control argument for a Falling from heights critical risk?
There is even some who reasoned that the single wooden crossarm the individual is standing on is not the utmost top crossarm and the EEA guide is thus not referring to that specific wooden crossarm and thus acceptable to stand on. (Why would anyone want to get onto the utmost top crossarm, just to then work in a crouched position then?)
Any other documentation or guidance I can be pointed to?
I’m not asking to fight, but to learn.
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4 Replies
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No issue with that position from what I can see, not a “top crossarm”. It is quite specific in the wording, otherwise it would state any single crossarm.
The wording to me is directly related to working off the top arms on a structure which in most cases would not allow a point of attachment above the worker, hence the reason for the no slack in the belt and a lanyard mounted as high as possible to lessen the pendulum effect.
The fact it mentions platforms to enable access from under again points to the fact it is the uppermost arm in my opinion, as is installing an arm lower (is this not the equivalent of what the worker is standing on?)
There are cases where platforms and EWP’s still wouldnt have give access to outer insulators on longer arms, and the only access is to shimmy across the arm.
Interested to hear other opinions
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Agree with Dave,
The lanyard is attached above the working position negating the pendulum effect, he isn’t standing on the top arm, which is stated as a method of compliance in the EEA guide you referenced, under section 10 part c. “Installing a working crossarm at a lower level”
As for a thorough inspection, referencing your company procedure for structure inspections should be sufficient e.g. structure inspected on the day to procedure #XXXXXX.
Regards
Shaun
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Hi Jaques
I agree with Shaun and Dave regarding not working above the anchor point.
Line Mechanics are trained to Skill Standard 31953 Operate light lifting and rigging equipment in an electricity supply environment, which includes inspecting crossarms as anchor points.
Note that it is not reasonably practicable to have anchor points certified (which is a requirement for most industrial anchor points) on every pole on a regular basis.
Cheers
Stephen.
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Hi all, if I can chime in here with the background to this rule.
Note – some great conversaitons here and this is a perfect example of how we all learn, appreciate you all for taking the time to post and respond on this forum.
In 2016 when we (SSPG) reviewed the guide to Work on Poles and Pole Structures we added the guidance around working from a position on the top crossarm, it specifically related to sitting on a single wooden arm and working out at the extremity of the arm itself.
We deemed this practice as to high a risk.
It was debated at the time if this practice should be allowed at all but we landed at no sitting on single arms for a number of reasons, not limited to:
<ul type=”disc”>
- Strength
of arm to take an additional load at its extremity- The
balance required to sit on 100mm of crossarm- Ability
to safely access and work at the end of the crossarm- Point
of attachment, pendulum effectWith regards to the photo I don’t see an issue with the working position.
I would look at bonding across the HV Gap though, as per rule: (Note this may have occurred from HV earths being bonded at the same pin that could be out of photo shot)EE 5.2311
(3.603)Before breaking a conductor (or where a break or open point already exists), earths shall be applied close to, and on both sides of, the break or open point so the tails may be connected together. Where simultaneous personal contact with both sides is possible, a bond shall be applied across the break or open point.
- Strength
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