Working around the power?

[maloufstree]

Just a question for those of you who could possibly shed some light on my situation. I have a small 4 man crew that mostly does residential and some commercial work. Several times a year we have to put a customer on hold due to the fact not having power line clearance. Have to call the electric company and get a "make safe" done at their convenience. Sometimes this takes weeks. Is there any classes that you can take to give us more insight on working around power lines. What certs do those of you who do line clearance have or what classes have you taken. I do know a little but what I know i feel is not enough.

Thanks,
Craig

 

[pdqdl]

Whether or not you have the certification, I think you are prohibited from working within 10' of energized conductors, unless you are the utility contractor.

I don't really know if that is a legal mandate, and OSHA regulation, an insurance liability issue, or just the common wisdom. It might vary from state to state, too. Around here, it is commonly known to be a "wait until KCPL does their part" situation.

We loose some jobs because KCPL doesn't do their part in time.

 

[maloufstree]

We have the same 10' law here in Tx also. How long have you waited on the power co.?

 

[tree md]

Yep, 10' in Oklahoma too. I usually do all of the other work (other trees) and leave the electrical hazard alone. I tell them to call me when the power Co does their thing. I don't think I've ever had a call back in those situations. I have had many new clients call me after the power company has come through though.

 

[capetrees]

I haven't heard about any 10" rules in MA other than the power company or phone comany is responsible for any limbs within 10' but that doesn't prohibit us from taking them ourselves when they have failed to do so. I may be wrong though. I don't like to work around power anyway so I usually stay cleart of it. Should be lots of power lines down this weekend with Earl coming our way.

 

[Dalmatian90]

I haven't heard about any 10" rules in MA

The ten foot rule is an OSHA thing.

 

[capetrees]

The ten foot rule is an OSHA thing.

Thanks!

 

[pdqdl]

The ten foot rule is an OSHA thing.

True. But what exactly does the rule say? I don't really know.

I suspect that it is very general in its language, and a line clearance certified worker might not be subject to OSHA fines for working inside the limit, regardless of who he was working for.

However! There may be other regulations, laws, or imposed limitations in addition to OSHA's regulations that we don't know about.

Rope! Where are you ? Got an opinion?

 

[trailduster2]

I work around power every day. I have a chart in the company truck that will give you the distance's that you are NOT alowed to break. The hard part (if your not familiar with the amount of power that flowes threw the lines) Is knowing if it is a single fase, double fase, triple fase, feed lind transmition line, and so on. The little triplex wires that run from the ples with the transformer to the house is a NO CONTACT line. The normal (here) the bottom line is a neutral line again NO CONTACT. the top line and the rest of the lines if there is more than one varies as far as the distance you can come into contact with. Because power flows differantly at differant altitudes. I will take a picture of the chart in the morning and post it here. I am not sure if it will help but at least you will have it for future referance. I have not taken any classes on learning how to do a job around power lines. I am sure that when the hair on the back of your neck stands up on end, then coman sence will take over and you will know when enough is enough. I have had my NON-CONDUCTIVE pruner between these kinds of lines most every day. It is a very scarry thing, dont be afraid of the power, However you must give it your utmost respect! If it is a removal tree, use a jonny ball and throw line to get your rope in the tree. If the throw line is like new and dry and clean you should not have any problems from electricution. If the ball goes over the line, take the ball off the throw line before you re-throw. I have sat in on some videos and watched what the power can do. NOT PRETTY. You to can get an idea by watching you tube. power line tree trimming. That should get you something. BE SAFE AND RESPECT IT!

 

[maloufstree]

I work around power every day. I have a chart in the company truck that will give you the distance's that you are NOT alowed to break. The hard part (if your not familiar with the amount of power that flowes threw the lines) Is knowing if it is a single fase, double fase, triple fase, feed lind transmition line, and so on. The little triplex wires that run from the ples with the transformer to the house is a NO CONTACT line. The normal (here) the bottom line is a neutral line again NO CONTACT. the top line and the rest of the lines if there is more than one varies as far as the distance you can come into contact with. Because power flows differantly at differant altitudes. I will take a picture of the chart in the morning and post it here. I am not sure if it will help but at least you will have it for future referance. I have not taken any classes on learning how to do a job around power lines. I am sure that when the hair on the back of your neck stands up on end, then coman sence will take over and you will know when enough is enough. I have had my NON-CONDUCTIVE pruner between these kinds of lines most every day. It is a very scarry thing, dont be afraid of the power, However you must give it your utmost respect! If it is a removal tree, use a jonny ball and throw line to get your rope in the tree. If the throw line is like new and dry and clean you should not have any problems from electricution. If the ball goes over the line, take the ball off the throw line before you re-throw. I have sat in on some videos and watched what the power can do. NOT PRETTY. You to can get an idea by watching you tube. power line tree trimming. That should get you something. BE SAFE AND RESPECT IT!

Thanks, great post

 

[maloufstree]

True. But what exactly does the rule say? I don't really know.

I suspect that it is very general in its language, and a line clearance certified worker might not be subject to OSHA fines for working inside the limit, regardless of who he was working for.

However! There may be other regulations, laws, or imposed limitations in addition to OSHA's regulations that we don't know about.

Rope! Where are you ? Got an opinion?

Excuse my ignorance but what is a "Certified line clearance worker"?

 

[ropensaddle]

True. But what exactly does the rule say? I don't really know.

I suspect that it is very general in its language, and a line clearance certified worker might not be subject to OSHA fines for working inside the limit, regardless of who he was working for.

However! There may be other regulations, laws, or imposed limitations in addition to OSHA's regulations that we don't know about.

Rope! Where are you ? Got an opinion?

Ok unless it has changed its Qualified, instead of certified. Any unqualified tree worker must maintain minimum separation of ten foot to any overhead conductor which does include service drops. Qualified means you have attained a reasonable amount of training and experience sufficient and proficient to handle its parameters. Qualified line clearance personal still have minimum separation based off conductor amperage, voltage that can be as little as 2foot six inch and as much as fifteen feet or more and is placed on many buckets for easy reference. Note: that chart only applies to qualified line clearance personal.


PS: Also; proficient would mean you have had practical experience and on the job training with a professional company specializing in line clearance for a sufficient amount of time. Trainees can work for such companies, as; they fall under the supervisor's qualification but to clear it on your own, you probably need at minimum 5 years of line clearance experience to be proficient in all aspects of the job. I clear my own lines to my property because; I have the proficiency and no one else is touching my trees.

 

[ropensaddle]

Just a question for those of you who could possibly shed some light on my situation. I have a small 4 man crew that mostly does residential and some commercial work. Several times a year we have to put a customer on hold due to the fact not having power line clearance. Have to call the electric company and get a "make safe" done at their convenience. Sometimes this takes weeks. Is there any classes that you can take to give us more insight on working around power lines. What certs do those of you who do line clearance have or what classes have you taken. I do know a little but what I know i feel is not enough.

Thanks,
Craig

Now as to your question, you can become a certified utility arborist buy the guide study and pass the quiz it would be a start.

 

[maloufstree]

Thanks, Rope

 

[treeclimber101]

10 ft is the minimal approach distance no matter what , house drops or neighborhood service , if you take the cert test through the electric company which is offered in most states they give you a card on completion , you would than be considered a "competent" person on the site and if there was an accident without injury or major prop. damage they will not try to sue you, last year I wripped down a drop line to a house and cracked the pole with the bucket truck they fixed it and only charged me a few bucks for material and time , but I have the card ... AS for the safety thing IF you don't know whats in it than stay away from it ....

 

[Rftreeman]

Ok unless it has changed its Qualified, instead of certified. Any unqualified tree worker must maintain minimum separation of ten foot to any overhead conductor which does include service drops. Qualified means you have attained a reasonable amount of training and experience sufficient and proficient to handle its parameters. Qualified line clearance personal still have minimum separation based off conductor amperage, voltage that can be as little as 2foot six inch and as much as fifteen feet or more and is placed on many buckets for easy reference. Note: that chart only applies to qualified line clearance personal.


PS: Also; proficient would mean you have had practical experience and on the job training with a professional company specializing in line clearance for a sufficient amount of time. Trainees can work for such companies, as; they fall under the supervisor's qualification but to clear it on your own, you probably need at minimum 5 years of line clearance experience to be proficient in all aspects of the job. I clear my own lines to my property because; I have the proficiency and no one else is touching my trees.

Rope, when I left Davey in 07 it was called "certified line clearance trimmer" and that meant I was special.....lol..

 

[Sunrise Guy]

Now as to your question, you can become a certified utility arborist buy the guide study and pass the quiz it would be a start.

I'm one who passed the Utility Specialist Arborist exam and then found out the hard way, that that certification does NOTHING for you, when it comes to working within the ten foot zone. You can take courses, out there, that will give you "Qualified Line Clearance Arborist" standing, but even that will not let you work in the zone, in those municipalities that have cozy, little sweetheart contracts with one of the three or four mega line clearance companies in this country. They get you on insurance issues, liability issues, equipment issues, etc., etc. In reality, it's all set up to make sure that the "big boys" keep their protected territory with the major municipalities and power companies. I now dutifully call in those gigs where the trees are too close to transmission lines and then make sure I stay in close contact with Big O or Big G (they have Austin divided at the river) until they get the job done. In truth, both companies have been cool, and my contacts the same, but it is frustrating when you know why things are the way they are.

 

[ropensaddle]

I'm one who passed the Utility Specialist Arborist exam and then found out the hard way, that that certification does NOTHING for you, when it comes to working within the ten foot zone. You can take courses, out there, that will give you "Qualified Line Clearance Arborist" standing, but even that will not let you work in the zone, in those municipalities that have cozy, little sweetheart contracts with one of the three or four mega line clearance companies in this country. They get you on insurance issues, liability issues, equipment issues, etc., etc. In reality, it's all set up to make sure that the "big boys" keep their protected territory with the major municipalities and power companies. I now dutifully call in those gigs where the trees are too close to transmission lines and then make sure I stay in close contact with Big O or Big G (they have Austin divided at the river) until they get the job done. In truth, both companies have been cool, and my contacts the same, but it is frustrating when you know why things are the way they are.

Yeah the ####ers, I wish small operators could get contracts with them too. It would be steady or at least fill in gaps.

 

[ropensaddle]

Rope, when I left Davey in 07 it was called "certified line clearance trimmer" and that meant I was special.....lol..

Why hell yes your special everyone knows that bro

 

[trailduster2]

Ok as stated in my prior post I said I was going to take a picture of the chart and here it is. I realy hope this helps you out.
View attachment 149587

Now dont take this as gods word, but for us this is the standards we live by.