Risk Assessment: Works. Electricity Lines
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Rules for acting
- Employ poles to hang life-lines
- Integrated energy absorber with a double anchoring element for climbing up to and down from supports, to install the first life-line, instead of using poles.
- Ascent, descent and vertical displacements are always to be carried out wearing a safety harness equipped with a fall-arrest device.
- For lateral displacements, the energy absorber may be used with a single anchoring element joined to a secure point which must always be above the anchoring point of the harness, always bearing in mind that it is mandatory to always use a fall-arrest system, at least.
- For lateral displacements, a 7-metre personal life-line is to be used with a figure-of-eight knot assembled by the supplier, which the fall-arrest system is attached to, even when going out on the anchoring ladder, placing flat fabric strips in-between. Every element must be certified and comply with the corresponding standards. Retractable fall-arrest drums with an internal energy absorber may also be used, anchored as high as possible to the pylon structure.
- Ascent to high points and descent from these is always to be carried out using both hands. If tools have to be carried, use the portable tool bag.
- If there is more than one worker on the pylon, they are to be situated at the same height or in herringbone formation on the outer faces of the pylon.
- Before ascending, study, define and check the solidity and stability of the support, testing it if necessary. If the stability and solidity of the strut is not ensured, do not ascend. Give special attention to torsional stresses, asymmetrical traction and secondary stresses on concrete posts (stress compensation).
- For displacements on insulating strings, use anchor or suspension ladders, depending on the case.
- These have to be secured by means of a support chain. To move around on anchor ladders, the system indicated for lateral displacements is to be used, but never anchor yourself to the anchor ladder itself. As regards suspension ladders, the life-line that they are equipped with is to be used.
- Jobs with protective elements: Avoid climbing onto protective elements, whether they are made of metal or wood. Erect the structure (portico) or the other elements (pulleys) on the ground and then raise them. Should it be absolutely essential to climb up, maximize precautions: make sure that it is stabilised, installing stays, and that it is perfectly anchored to the ground by means of a iron spike driven into the base in the case of metallic protective elements. If it becomes unstable when ascending, descend immediately. Once you are on the protective element, never carry out manoeuvres that lead to stresses that unbalance the support.
- As a general rule, work should not be carried out on supports when there is frost, snow or rain, as the aforementioned jobs will be hampered to a great extent.
- Works and installation stairways and ladders: Security.
- When going up or down stairs, hold the handrail.
- Step on all the steps, without skipping any.
- Wear proper footwear.
- Inform of any anomaly observed on stairways.
- Use ladders properly, avoiding using other elements instead.
- Step ladders must be equipped with safety braces and are not to be used as support ladders.
- Support ladders must have non-slip devices at the bottom or be equipped with a hooking system at the top.
