August 2007

SERIOUS ELECTICAL INCIDENT

Fall from Pole / Electric Shock

Recently a Customer Ops. Technician with a little over a year of service fell approximately 15 ft. from a pole. The technician reported testing the pole for voltage before ascent. Once aloft, at working height, the employee determined the pole to be unsafe. Upon decent the technician made contact with an exposed ground and received a 150 volt shock causing him to fall to the ground. Employee remembers receiving a shock and being unable to release his grip, but does not remember falling. Fortunately, the employee did not suffer any serious injuries.

Contributing Causes

Ø Technician failed to visually identify pole as unsafe to climb by conducting thorough pole test (visual, sound and prod)

Ø Unsafe conditions of the pole (cracks, curved) can be identified at ground level

Ø Exposed electrical ground at working height.

Pole Testing

How to do a Prod and Sound Test:

Ø Use a prod or a screwdriver with a shaft of 5 inches or longer.

Ø Insert the tool at a 45-degree angle below ground line. Most decay occurs

within 12 inches below ground.

Ø Wood decay will be evident by the ease with which the tool penetrates the

pole.

Ø Sound the pole by striking with a hammer on all sides from the ground line

as high as you can reach. The presence of advanced decay can be

recognized by the hollow or dull sound.

What do you do if the pole does not pass the test?

Do not climb.

Identify with appropriate pole tag and notify your supervisor.

What are some examples that require testing with your voltage detector?

Ø Un-insulated vertical ground, electrical power guards, and conduits.

Ø Street light fixtures and pole hardware.

Ø Metal terminals and cabinets.

Ø Metal sided buildings, like mobile homes and trailers.

Ø Pedestals and cross-boxes.

Ø Foreign plant in Verizon work space, including CATV equipment.

Ø Ceiling grids and support wires.

Ø Grounds and bonds.

Ø Cable strand.

Ø Power Sub-Station building entrance terminals and/or high voltage protection systems.

Ø Metal Fences.