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1.0.0 INTRODUCTION the powerline worker uses a variety of tools on his job every day. It is very important to under. stand how to prepperly inspect, maintain, and less these tools safely In addition to the thousands of fatalities annually, there are also a large number of electrical-related dis-bling injuries. In an effort to reduce the number of Fatalities and injuries, OSHA published the initiat regulations for clectrical safety in the workplace in 1990. One of these regulations was a policy that requires the use of insulated tools when working near energized circuits. OSHA Standard 29 King 1910.335(a)(2)(i) reads as follows: "When work ing near exposed energized conductors or circuit parts, each employee shall use insulated tools or handling equipment if the tools or handling equipment might make contact with such conduc tors or parts Insulated hand tools are individually tested and certified by the manufacturer to be suitable for specific working conditions. They must also be periodically inspected to ensure that the remain safe to use. Generally, the maximum rated voltage for insulated hand tools, such as pliers and screwdrivers, is 1,000 volts AC and 1,500 volts DC. However, power line workers must obey the minimum approach distance guidelines, which means there will be many times they cannot get close enough to their specific work area to use traditional hand tools. To enable power line workers to maintain the components on energized lines, a variety of long-reach insulated tools are avail-able. Requirements for live-line tools are found in OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.269(;). Live-line tools made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) must be designed and built to withstand test voltage of 100,000 volts per foot of length for five minutes per ASTM F711, Standard Specification for Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Rod and Tube Used in Live Line Tools. OSHA requires that live-line tools be cleaned and inspected daily for defects. Follow these guidelines when using any type of insulated tool: Keep tools clean and dry. Always handle insulated tools with care. Inspect insulation prior to each use. * If you doubt the integrity of the insulation, destroy the tool or have it retested. Follow the manufacturer's temperature recommendations for use. Have a qualified person inspect and recertify tools annually for safe use.
Store the tools in a protective sleeve or tube to prevent damage and to protect against condensation and dust. Use required personal protective equipment with insulated tools. 2.1.0 Hot Sticks
A hot stick is an insulated pole, usually made of fiberglass. It is used by power line workers when working on energized high-voltage electric power lines and components. Hot sticks have adapters on the working end that allow a variety of tools to be attached. Hot sticks are made in different lengths, from a few feet long up to telescoping types (extendo poles) that can be extended out to 40' long.
Because the fiberglass provides electrical insula-tion, the hot stick allows utility workers to safely perform operations on power lines without de-energizing them. This is important because operations such as opening or closing combination fuse/switches must often be performed on an energized line. Additionally, after a fault occurs, the exact state of a line may not be certain. In this case, the power line workers must treat the line as though it was energized until it can be proven that it is not, and safely attach grounding cables to the line. If power tools are fitted to the end o the hot stick, they are usually powered hydrau lically rather than electrically because hydrau lic fluid is also a good insulator. The hydrauli power is commonly supplied from the bucks truck supporting the workers or a utility truck the workers are on the ground. 2.2.0 Clamp Stick (Shotgun Stick) A clamp stick (Figure 3), commonly referred to as a shotgun stick, contains an easy-to-control hook on the end of an insulated hot stick that can be extended and retracted to grab objects. These tools are used to apply or remove devices such as clamps on electrical lines or conductors. The stick includes a support rod with an insulated head at one end and a movable actuating handle at the other end. Extendo sticks (Figure 5) are telescoping sticks that offer maximum convenience for line workers because they can be used to perform many overhead tasks from ground level. These poles have universal end fittings that accept a variety of attachments so that the power line worker can disconnect switches, replace cutout tubes, remove pole covers, prune trees, and perform many other overhead tasks. A Loadbuster tool is a load break pol that is used to quickly and safely open energized disconnects, cutouts, power fuses, capacitor banks, and fuse limiters. The tool is positioned across the front of the device to be opened, with the tool's anchor placed on the attachment hook on the far side of the device. Loadbuster operation can be achieved using the following steps: Step 1 Make sure that the load break mechanism is locked in place prior to use. Step 2 Attach the Loadbuster to the cutout. Reach across the front of the cutout and attach the Loadbusters anchor to the attachment hook on the far side of the cutout. Step 3 Engage the cutout's pull ring with the Loadbuster's pull-ring hook. The Load-buster's pull-ring latch prevents inadvertent disengagement of the cutout pull ring and the Loadbusters pulling hook. Step 4 Pull down on the Loadbuster's handle using a firm, steady stroke. Pulling the Loadbuster to its maximum extended length opens the cutout in the normal manner as the current is diverted through the Loadbuster. At a predetermined point In the opening stroke, the Loadbusters trips, breaking the circuit positively. Step 5 With the blade in the open position, move the Loadbuster" from the pull ring with a simple roll-off motion. Remove the Loadbuster® from the cutout. Disengage the Loadbuster by removing its anchor com the cutout attachment hook. If more than one device is being opened, recock and check the mechanism. Power line workers use a variety of specialty tools specific to the power line industry. These tools can be powered using batteries, pneumatic pressure, hydraulic fluid, or powder-actuated controlled explosives. Battery-powered crimpers (Figure 24), or compression tools, are designed to squeeze commonly used service entrance connectors, including lugs and sleeves, and to crimp cables together for non-tension splices and terminations. Power line workers use a variety of hydraulic Poower line workers ushead and underground Power line installations. Most bucket trucks and pole trucks (digger derricks) have hydraulic lines with ucks digger deonnection points to make hydraulic power accessible when on site. hydraulic power accessible when on site. The typical hydraulic tools include rotary drills, saws, pumps, impact wrenches, tamps, and jackhame mers. Powder-Actuated Tools The most commonly used powder-actuated fool that a power line worker will use is the AMPACT™M cable splicer. The "C" member is placed over the cables to be spliced and the AMPACT tool is used to force the wedge between the cables. This forms a secure connection that maintains constant mechanical pressure between the components being spliced. Strap hoists are ratchet-style lifting tools equipped with a durable and rugged webbing strap. The hoist attaching hooks and web lifting hooks typically swivel and have safety latches. Strap hoists commonly are designed with a 4:1 mechanical factor. Interlocking pawls