Electricity Today T&D Magazine

On Distribution, Transmission or Substation equipment, testing for presence or absence of nominal voltage is mandated specifically by OSHA rule 1910.269(n)(5) which states “Testing. The employer shall ensure that, unless a previously installed ground is present, employees test lines and equipment and verify the absence of nominal voltage before employees install any ground on those lines or that equipment.”

The Bevins Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma has developed two new voltage indicators incorporating the latest technology which connects the voltage indicator to a remote smart device through Bluetooth® communication. This allows real-time remote monitoring of the voltage reading in both analog...

Protecting utility workers with documented reporting

BY MIKE DOHERTY, PowerTel Utilities Contractors Limited

Within the lineman trade, accountabilities for the documentation of various inspections, job safety analyses (JSAs), audits, safe work practices (SPGs), qualifications, safety meetings, supervisor’s crew visits, safety manager and senior management inspections, and compliance reporting are some examples of the significant differences between decades ago and expectations for high-end crews in today’s due-diligent workplaces.

There are significant challenges within the lineman trade based on human performance, culture of the work environment, nature of the specific work, and the basic fact that most tasks are carried out...