/ 36_GS_3209_00
February 10, 2014
Page 1 of 32
USGC Gulfstream Program
The Dow Chemical Company

WORKING NEAR OVERHEAD

POWER LINES


Table of Contents

PURPOSE 4

SCOPE 4

APPLICATION 4

This Work Does Not Apply To: Error! Bookmark not defined.

DEFINITIONS 5

1.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 6

2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES 7

Work Supervisor 7

Electrical Superintendent 7

3.0 PERMIT PROCESS 7

4.0 WORKING DISTANCES 8

Cranes 8

Equipment Other Than Cranes 8

5.0 lift equipment in-transit 8

6.0 Lift Equipment Assembly, Disassembly, and Operations - Insulated Power Lines 8

7.0 Lift Equipment Assembly and Disassembly – Un-insulated Power Lines 9

8.0 Lift Equipment Operations – Un-insulated Power Lines 13

9.0 Lift Equipment Contact to Power Lines 17

10.0 Equipment Requirements for Lift Equipment near Power lines 17

11.0 Material Storage near Energized lines or Conductors 18

12.0 Lift Work or Any Activity Near Exposed Fixed Energized Parts 18

13.0 Lift equipment working near Transmitter/Communication towers 18

14.0 TASK COMPLETION 18

15.0 REFERENCES 19

Table 1: Control Clearance 20

Table 2. Control Clearance for EWP-13 – Lift work with the safety observation of an electrical skilled person 20

FLOW DIAGRAMS 20

Attachment 01: Pre Task Hazard Assessment for Lift Equipment Assembly, Disassembly and Operations Less Than 20 Feet (6.1 meters) From Un-insulated Power Lines 21

Attachment 2 - Additional Requirements where Control Clearance is less than that in Table 1 but greater than or equal to Table 2 distances 23

Attachment 3. where Control Clearance is Less Than That in Table 1 but Greater Than or Equal to Table 2 distances 25


Contractor and Client Approvals

Rev / Date / Pages / Description / By / Checked / Approved / Client
00 / 02/10/2014 / Document / Procedure in final for initial implementation / BF
Rev. / Date / Revision Summary
00 / Feb. 10, 2014 / Procedure development for implementation.
Approver Name / Title / Signature / Date


PURPOSE

To protect personnel from electrical shock, electrocution, and to prevent process safety incidents due to physical damage of power lines while traveling, assembling or disassembling lift equipment, performing lift work or any elevated equipment activity near the power lines. This work practice establishes the minimum safety requirements for both insulated and un-insulated power lines of any voltage, up to 350 kV, where it is possible for any part of the elevated equipment, load line or its load to approach within 20 feet or 6.1 meters of energized electrical power lines or other energized parts

SCOPE

This practice defines the safety requirements for lift work or any elevated equipment activity near power lines or fixed energized parts of a transmission or distribution system up to 350 kV. For voltages above 350 kV, refer to your site Construction Site Electrical SME, who will consult additional expertise and local regulations as necessary.

This practice includes the following major sections:

·  General Requirements

·  Responsibilities

·  Permit Process

·  Working Distances

·  Task Completion

APPLICATION

This work practice applies to any Dow or contractor vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines or fixed energized parts of a transmission or distribution system including but not limited to JLGs, fork trucks, back hoes, boom trucks, cranes and derricks.

Elevated Equipment Work:

  1. Near power cables installed in cable trays, armored or metal clad cables, enclosed bus ducts, or cables protected by shields, drain wires or conduit.
  2. Near energized electrical power lines when working from an aerial device (such as insulated bucket trucks) and the work is performed by Electrical Skilled Persons. For example, telecommunications employees, line-clearance tree trimming employees, electric utilities employees.

Note:  See CFR 1910 subpart R and 1926 subpart V)

  1. Near power lines that have been de-energized and are visibly grounded at the work / lift site.
  2. Where the lift equipment is in transit, assembled, disassembled and/or operated:

a)  with the boom fully extended to the maximum length of the equipment and,

b)  with the boom having 360 degrees of rotation at any boom angle and,

c)  where any part of the lift equipment, hoist line, slings, tag lines or loads are always greater than 20 feet from the power lines.

  1. When the uppermost part of the equipment (with the raised part at true vertical) for equipment with non-extendable booms, would be more than 20 feet below the plane of the power line.

DEFINITIONS

Control Clearance/Distance: Distance between the work zone and power line.

Lift Equipment: Any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines or fixed energized parts of a transmission or distribution system including, but not limited to JLGs, fork trucks, back hoes, boom trucks, cranes and derricks.

Overhead Power Lines - Any above ground line, whether high voltage, low voltage, or communication cable will be classified as overhead power line and afforded caution. Poles, guy wires, underground anchors, and any such structural member that constitutes to the structural integrity of the power line will be included as part of the power line.

Working Near Overhead Power Lines - Work within 20 feet (6.1 meters) of an overhead power line and includes, but is not limited to: earthworks such as excavations and earthmoving, drilling and blasting, grubbing and felling of trees, and assembly, disassembly, lifting, and reaching activities associated with using crane, boom trucks, aerial lifts, and similar equipment.

Work Zone: Volume of space defined by the equipment movement while safely operating.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Before work is begun, a Safety Task Assignment (STA) (reference Form F0101, Practice 10_GS_1304 Pre-Task Planning) must be completed identifying and communicating to each employee the task steps to be completed, the hazards and risks associated with the task, and the safe work practices that are to be applied to complete the task safely.
  2. If there is any risk of contact, the electrical supply will be turned off and isolated.
  3. All work within 20feet (6.1meters) of overhead power lines must be performed under an approved Safe Work Permit. Reference 58_GS_1302 Safe Work Permit Standard / Work Permit Process.
  4. The person responsible (director, foreman, supervisor, etc. ) for the transit, assembly and disassembly of the lift equipment and/or lift operations must determine if any part of the lift equipment, load line, load, rigging or accessories could get closer than 20 feet (6.1 meters) to a power line during the transit, assembly or disassembly process operations.

·  Assign a “spotter” when moving a crane and there is a potential for any part of the lift equipment or load to come within 20feet (6.1 meters) of an energized power line

Note:  Note: This includes other lift equipment, tools or vehicles that may be used to assemble or disassemble the primary lift equipment

  1. All power lines are to be considered energized unless it has been confirmed by the utility owner/ operator, who is an Electrically Skilled Person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution, as de-energized and are visibly grounded at the work site.
  2. All power lines are presumed to be un-insulated unless the utility owner/ operator / representative, who is trained with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution, or an Electrically Skilled Person who is trained with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution, confirms that a line is insulated.
  3. Voltages of the power lines must be known prior to lift equipment transit, assembly, disassembly and operation of the lift equipment.
  4. Individuals standing on the ground (grade) should avoid unnecessary contact of the lift equipment or its loads when operating (assembly, disassembly and lift operations) near power lines.
  5. Barricades shall be used to restrict access to the lift equipment while lift operations are taking place. Barricades shall be at a minimum 10 feet (3 meters) from the lift equipment. Only personnel essential to the lift operation are permitted to be in the area of the crane and load during lift equipment operation.

·  Where obstacles prevent the barricade from being at least 10 ft (3 meters) away, the barricade must be as far away from the lift equipment as feasible.

Note:  Note: An Electrical Skilled Person (ESP) is generally also considered skilled with respect to the issues covered in this Practice. The ESP is accountable to know the limits of his or her knowledge and to get input from additional expertise where needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Work Supervisor

The work supervisor is responsible for the following:

·  Stay on the worksite and oversee all employee and equipment activities being performed near overhead power lines.

·  Take immediate corrective measures, including stopping work, to eliminate a hazardous condition.

·  Install and maintain protective safety systems such as warning signs and barricades.

·  Understand the site emergency response procedures.

·  Assign a “spotter” when moving a crane and there is a potential for any part of the crane or load to come within 20 feet (6.1 meters) of an energized power line

·  Accept responsibility for the safe execution of the work as stated on the permit.

Electrical Superintendent

The electrical superintendent is responsible for the following:

·  Checks if the authority has been granted to allow work within the 20 feet (6.1 meter) limit of overhead power lines.

·  Inspects the worksite before commencement of work.

·  Signs the Working Near Overhead Power Lines Permit allowing work to proceed within the 20 feet (6.1meter) distance to an overhead power line.

PERMIT PROCESS

Before work commences within 20 feet (6.1 meters) of an energized overhead power line, an approved Safe Work Permit (reference 58_GS_1302 Safe Work Permit Standard / Work Permit Process) must be approved and issued.

The appointment and training of Permit Issuers is similar to Safe Work Permit and Confined Space Entry Authorized Permit Issuers. However, in addition, they will have sound and thorough knowledge in matters relating to the preparation and conduct of working near overhead power lines. Practical experience in preparing excavation permits under guidance may be appropriate.

IF THE WORK CANNOT BE PERFORMED IN A SAFE MANNER, THE PERMIT WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

WORKING DISTANCES

Cranes

Cranes will not be assembled, disassembled, or operated when there is the potential for any part of the crane to come within “x” feet of an energized power line as follows:

·  Up to 350 kV … x = 20 feet (6.1 meters)

·  351 kV to 1000 kV … x = 50 feet (15.2 meters)

·  Over 1000 kV … x = the distance determined by the utility owner, or a registered professional engineer who is a Qualified Person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution.

Equipment Other Than Cranes

No equipment will be erected or operated under any circumstances when any part of the equipment is closer than 10 feet (3.1 meters) of energized electrical distribution lines rated 50 kV or below, unless:

·  The lines have been deenergized and are grounded at the point of work, or

·  Insulating barriers, that are not part of the equipment, have been erected.

For lines rated over 50 kV, the minimum clearance between lines and any part of the equipment or load will be 10 feet (3.1 meters), plus 0.4 inches (1.02 centimeters) for each kilovolt over 50 kV or twice the length of the line insulator.

Lift Equipment In-transit

When lift equipment is in transit, the boom or elevated parts must be lowered and its upper most parts clearance to un-insulated power lines is dependent on voltage.

See Practice 29_GS_3201 Cranes and Rigging Introduction / Pre-Use, Section 10.0 for details and instructions.

Lift Equipment Assembly, Disassembly, and Operations - Insulated Power Lines

  1. A job review must be conducted prior to the assembly, disassembly, positioning and operation of the lift equipment within 20 feet of insulated power lines. This review is a pre-job discussion (may be a Pre-Job Hazard Analysis or similar) between the individuals involved in the job and must address:

a)  Job scope

b)  Verification that the power lines are insulated by a utility owner/ operator / representative who is trained with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution or an Electrically Skilled Person who is trained with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution.

c)  Precautions needed to prevent contact of the lift equipment with the insulated power line. Either of the following requirements must be met:

  1. An individual designated solely to observe and maintain direct communication with the lift equipment operator to prevent contact during lift equipment positioning and during lift operations. The individual can have other duties while the lift equipment is in position but is not operating, or
  2. Insulated power lines are treated as un-insulated and meet the requirements in this work practice for un-insulated power lines.
  1. Un-insulated power lines that have been covered by insulating barriers, such as line hose or electrical insulating blankets rated for the voltage of the line being guarded, are not considered insulated and must be treated as un-insulated.

Lift Equipment Assembly and Disassembly – Un-insulated Power Lines

  1. The person responsible (director, foreman, supervisor, etc. ) for assembly or disassembly of lift equipment must determine if any part of the lift equipment, load line, load, rigging or accessories could get closer than 20 feet (6.1 meters) to an un-insulated power line or other energized parts during the assembly or disassembly process. Note: This also includes other lift equipment, tools or vehicles that may be use to assemble or disassemble the primary lift equipment
  2. Methods acceptable for assembling or disassembling the lift equipment near un-insulated power lines or other exposed energized parts are listed below in order of preference,.

a)  Option 1. De-energize and visibly ground the power line at the work / lift site. The owner of the power line must determine that it is infeasible to de-energize and ground the power line before proceeding with other options below. Infeasible to de-energize and ground the power line means:

·  It introduces additional or increased hazards to the power user(s), facility or site. Examples are:

-  Interruption of life support systems,