HSS 01 068 Working and Climbing on Wood Poles

UK Power Networks HSS 01 068 v7.0 Working and Climbing on Wood Poles

Owner Name Murdo Allan Title Director of HSS & TT

Signature

Date 06 August 2015

Authoriser Name Peter Vujanic Title Head of Health & Safety

Signature

Date 06 August 2015

This document forms part of the UK Power Networks Integrated Management System and compliance with its requirements is mandatory. Departure from these requirements may only be taken with the written approval of the above authoriser.

Revision Record Version number 7.0 What has changed? S8 wording change to include hammer testing and recording of pole tests. Date published 14/08/2015 Why has it changed? Next review date 11/11/2018 Variations to working practises

Prepared by C. Shackell

Version number 6.0 What has changed?

Date published 11/11/2014 Document format and authoriser

Next review date 11/11/2018 Why has it changed? Variations to working practises Prepared by C. Shackell

Version number 5.1 What has changed? S9.3 wording change for clarity Date published 25/09/2012 Why has it changed? Next review date 11/11/2014 Variations to working practises

Prepared by C. Shackell

This printed document is valid at 09/05/18, check after this date for validity. Page 1 of 8 Who needs to know?

☐ All UK Power Networks Staff ☒ Network Operations ☒ Asset Management ☐ EPN ☒ Capital Programme ☐ LPN ☒ Connections ☐ SPN ☒ Contractors ☐ Commercial Services ☒ Customer Services ☐ Logistics ☐ Finance ☐ Network Control ☐ G81 External website ☐ Network Operations Connections ☒ HR & Communications ☐ Transport Services ☒ HSS&TT ☒ Strategy and Regulation ☐ In Business HSS ☒ UK Power Networks Services ☐ Safety Reps ☐ Airports ☒ ICPs (Independent Connection Providers) ☐ Rail ☒ IDNOs (Independent Distribution ☐ HS1, DLR & Commercial buildings Network Operators) ☐ MUJV / Allenby ☐ Information Systems ☐ Business Development ☐ Meter Operators ☒ Others (specify) Contract Manager/Users

Contents

This printed document is valid at 09/05/18, check after this date for validity. Page 2 of 8 UK Power Networks HSS 01 068 v7.0

Introduction and Purpose This procedure defines the requirements for access / egress and working on wood poles and lines, maintained by UK Power Networks.

Scope This procedure applies to all employees and contractors working and climbing on wood poles and lines working on behalf of UK Power Networks

Objective To ensure that all who climb and work on wood poles are trained and competent including emergency rescue techniques; work and climbing is carried out in a safe manner and in accordance with statutory requirements or any other applicable guidelines, when working at a height; and the consequences of a fall are reduced so far as is reasonable practicable – this includes during the access and egress from the point of work – and the suitability of the work equipment for the task.

References

HSS 01 067 Working at Height GRL 05 Generic Task Risk Assessment Work at Height – Climbing Wood Poles HSS Handbook Section 5 Working at Height OH Manual Overhead Lines Craft Manual - Version 1 - Issued May 2010 OC 282/31 HSE Operational Circular Rope Evacuation From Mechanical Handling Equipment

Definitions

Working at Height Any situation where a risk of falling exists. Personal Protection Equipment that only protects the user/wearer e.g. work restraint systems which prevent falls and fall arrest which minimises the consequence of a fall. Fall Arrest Equipment Equipment designed to safely arrest an uncontrolled fall. Fall Restraint To prevent a user from getting into a position in which a fall can occur. Work positioning This equipment should normally be used in tension and is not Lanyard (Pole Strap) designed for fall arrest. It is intended to maintain the worker at

This printed document is valid at 09/05/18, check after this date for validity. Page 3 of 8 his work position to enable him to use both hands for working. Pole Top Rescue Approved method of emergency rescue

Responsibilities 6.1 Persons who put People to Work including Line Managers/Supervisors/Project Managers/Field Engineers shall ensure that:  all working at height is fully risk assessed and the hierarchy of control is applied where reasonably practicable;  a degree of supervision appropriate to the task and assess the competencies of personnel involved in working at height activities;  those who work at height have undergone a fit for work assessment and those unable to undertake tasks as a result of any underlying medical condition are referred to Occupational Health;  those working at height understand the limitations and restrictions of working at height; and  only approved working at height equipment is provided for use and all users have received approved training in use of equipment and in rescue techniques. The respective Managers and Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that employees, contractors and visitors comply with this procedure.

6.2 Employees, Contractors and Subcontractors are responsible for:  ensuring that all working at height is fully risk assessed and the hierarchy of control is applied where reasonably practicable;  understanding and have received appropriate task instruction and justification for planned work at height;  justifying working at height and documenting on the on-site (Point of Work) Assessment for unplanned work (Fault work);  visually inspecting equipment before use;  not using defective or out-of-date equipment and withdrawing it from use;  reporting of defects and failures to the supervisor immediately;  using equipment in accordance with the information, instruction and training given; and  ensuring their own safety and that of their colleagues.

6.3 In-Business HSS Advisors are responsible for providing advice and assistance as required in implementing this procedure.

Records All approved equipment and statutory inspection information will be held on an asset register database in accordance with HSS 01 078 Management of Work Equipment.

Fall Protection 8.1 Background Under no circumstances shall a pole marked with a D plate be climbed with climbing irons or a ladder, (see Overhead Lines Craft Manual section 2.2.2 Climbing of Wood Poles and section 10 Inspection and Maintenance which details the D – S plates). All Wood poles must be inspected and tested prior to any work being undertaken on or associated with them e.g. Hammer test (see Overhead Lines Craft Manual Section 10.2). The outcome to be noted on the point of work assessment When climbing or working on wood poles a full body harness shall be worn and the user shall ensure that they are permanently attached by the appropriate method at all times ensuring 2 points of attachment is used when in the working position. Whenever there is a need on a pole to change from the rope slide chuck to the work positioning lanyard (pole strap) or to the fall arrest lanyard, the second lanyard shall always be connected before the first is disconnected. Before climbing is attempted, linesmen shall ensure that their harnesses are properly fitted and adjusted to suit personal requirements in accordance with your training and the supplier’s recommendations.

8.2 Fall Protection Equipment Equipment provided for fall arrest must only be used for the purposes for which it is provided and must be fitted with an energy absorbing device. All equipment must be identifiable by individual reference these will include:

Personal Issue  Full Body Harness  Lanyards (Fall arrest): retractable, twin leg etc. fitted with energy absorber  Work positioning Lanyards (Fall prevention): Pole Belt  Pole choke systems (Fall prevention): Choke Strap  Temporary anchor device. The JAG10 is the only suitable temporary anchorage device which can be used for choking a wood pole  Emergency rescue kit Team or held by  Rope access systems - Swiftie in the Eastern Regions and Area Rope Access kit for use with CA Hook in the South Eastern Region.  Note: This equipment is not issued on a personal basis unless requested, a number should be held at the Area offices for use as and when required.

8.3 Use of Fall Protection Equipment

This printed document is valid at 09/05/18, check after this date for validity. Page 5 of 8 Guidance on the use of the Fall Protection Equipment is provided in the figures overleaf.

Figure 1: This method uses a pole choking device in conjunction with the JAG 10 Fall arrest lanyard or retractable lanyard for climbing over obstructions on a pole.

Figure 2: Figure 3: Correct positioning of work positioning Pole choking device used when climbing lanyard (pole strap) above a platform and a fall arrest lanyard or retractable lanyard

Figure 4: Figure 5: Use of Rope access system, this method Correct Attachment when using linesman allows free movement. platform. Choking device, JAG 10 and fall arrest lanyard or Retractable lanyard

Training and Competence 9.1 Formal Training All persons required to work on wood poles must be experienced and familiar with normal pole working practices and fully trained in this procedure, equipment and associated work method statements including pole rescue techniques. Formal practical Competency based training will be given to all linesmen and other staff who are required to work on wood poles by a nominated competent person e.g. Training Instructor based at the Training and Development Centres. This will include delivery of refresher training which will be undertaken every three years.

9.2 Emergency Rescue In accordance with HSE Operational Circular OC 282/31 all staff who work on poles will be trained and assessed at least every 12 months by a competent person to confirm they are fully conversant with the emergency rescue technique for wood poles.

9.3 Maintaining Climbing Skills In order to keep refreshed with the climbing of wood poles the use of the hierarchy of control may be overruled. This must be justified and documented on the On-site (Point of Work) Assessment and should be undertaken monthly.

9.4 Apprentices or Inexperienced persons Depending on age and competence, following formal training young or inexperienced persons must be appropriately supervised / mentored when working on site to ensure that they work within the competency level whilst developing skills.

Inspection and Withdrawal All equipment must undergo a Pre-Use Inspection before use any equipment identified by the user as out of its inspection period (Inspection tag) or unfit for use shall be immediately withdrawn from service. Equipment that is not repairable shall be destroyed or otherwise be disposed of to ensure that it cannot be brought back into service. Other equipment maybe returned to service subject to a satisfactory inspection by a competent inspector.

Equipment such as harnesses and lanyards have a defined life term between 5-10 years which is stated in the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Equipment at or approaching end of life will be identified at formal inspection and where appropriate withdrawn or a reduced inspection period applied.

This printed document is valid at 09/05/18, check after this date for validity. Page 7 of 8 Equipment involved in an incident will be taken out of service immediately, labelled not fit for use and securely held until such times as it is not further required as part of any investigation, when it will be destroyed and the asset register data base updated.

This printed document is valid at 09/05/18, check after this date for validity. Page 8 of 8