9h00h 8SENSE DaveYeoman PowerStream

Best Practices for Working with Energized Lines

Autor: Dave Yeoman CHSC

Date: Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

2 Introduction

I would like to thank the COGE Foundation for extending an invitation to PowerStream and myself to attend this important event focused on Health and Safety I would also like to thank the Leal Industrial & Commercial and Salisbury Honeywell for their sponsorship of this session

3 PowerStream Inc

PowerStream is an energy services company providing power and related solutions to more than 355,000 customers in central Ontario

4 Our Values

5 Who are we?

Service area of over 800 square kilometers Total Assets of 987 million dollars System Reliability Index of 99.99 % Net Income of 30 million dollars (CAN)

6 Definitions and Terms

Tailboard Conference: A documented safety discussion that takes place on the job site by the work crew Defines the job steps, identifies the hazards present at the work site and may be created during the job, and the barriers and protection the crew will use to complete the work safely

7 Definitions and Terms

Live Line Work: Live Line Tool:

Trabalho à Distância com Bastões Rubber Glove Techniques:

Trabalho ao Contato Bare Hand Techniques:

Trabalho ao Potencial

8

Working Safely on Energized (Live) Lines

PowerStream performs work on energized, overhead conductors on all our distribution voltages: LLT & RUBBER GLOVE TECHNIQUES

120 to 647 volts (secondary service wires) 2.4 to 16.0 kV distribution circuits

BAREHAND TECHNIQUES 44 kV sub-transmission circuits

9 Preamble

My presentation today is designed to give you some insight on how PowerStream has reduced the risk of working on energized circuits (live line) and thereby reduced the number of injuries to our workers

Some of the methods we use may not be new to you

I hope you will see value in the initiatives I show you today

10

How We Safely Perform Live Line Work at PowerStream

Performing the Work Working safely is the result of a number of safety initiatives designed to reduce the risk

Foundation Working safely begins with a good foundation of qualified workers

Influence from the Top Management directly influences safe work

Live Line Work

< 750 Volts Rubber Glove

Barehand

Agenda

Methods for Reducing Risk - Performing the Work

Live Line Work


Barehand

1

Description of this graphic and how it will be used to illustrate the methods we use to reduce risk in LLW

13 Procedures and Rules

RULE: Safe Conditions for Work No work shall be done on electrical apparatus, or systems which may have electrical, dynamic or potential energy, unless safe conditions for work are provided by one of the following methods:

the apparatus is isolated and de-energized in accordance with “lock-out / tag-out” OR Live Line (e.g. Rubber Glove) Techniques are used This rule is a ‘corner stone’ to safe work

Lock-out / Tag-out PowerStream’s Utility Work

Protection Code

15 Lock-out / Tag-out

We use our Utility Work Protection Code for situations when we need to work on circuits that are isolated and grounded

Guaranteed ‘OPEN’ devices are locked and/or tagged

16 Controlling Authority

The centralised Control Room has operating control over all switchable devices They receive applications for the establishment of work protection from the various trades groups They write the switching orders and establish the isolated zone with field support

17 Establishing Work Protection

The Trade groups establish work protection by operating the switchable devices and placing tags and, when possible, locks This is done under the direction of the Control Room Trade groups test for potential and apply temporary grounds


De-energizing grounds must be visible to the worker at all times If they can not see a set of grounds, then they must install another set at their work location

19

Bracket and Point of Work Grounds

Circuit is isolated and tagged

20


B WORK LOCATION

Circuit is potential tested and then Bracket Grounds are installed

WORK LOCATION A

21


B WORK LOCATION

WORK LOCATION A

Point of Work Grounds are installed if Bracket Grounds are out of sight


All apparatus that has been isolated using Lock-out / Tag-out must be potential tested and grounds installed before work is begun


Live Line Work


Barehand

2

24 Rubber Glove Rule

PowerStream employees comply with the ‘Ground to Ground’, ‘Lock to Lock’, ‘Boom Rest to Boom Rest’ Rule It states they can not leave the ground or open or enter an cabinet or enclosure unless we have on the appropriate class of rubber glove

This rule is another of our ‘corner stones’ to safe work

25 Rubber Glove Rule

We have the appropriate class gloves whenever we climb a pole with spurs, go aloft in an aerial device or open an enclosure, like a padmount transformer Compliance with this one rule has saved lives and reduced the number of serious injuries significantly

Live Line Work


Barehand


3

27

Job Planning and Tailboard Conference Discussion

Job Planning Every job is pre-planned Pre-planning includes a documented Tailboard Discussion between all the crew members All crew members participate in this important job safety process

28

Conducting a Tailboard Conference Discussion

The crew gathers at the job site and together discuss:

The Job Steps and who is doing which part of the job Job Hazards and the Barriers used to reduce risk of hazard causing injury

29

Conducting a Tailboard Conference Discussion

Once crew agrees on the safe work methods (job steps) and what barriers will be used, they put their signature on the documented TBC sheet

30

Documented Tailboard Conference Discussion

TBC Sheets Job Description Have we considered? Major Job Hazards and Barrier selection Job Steps and Hazards and Barriers Crew Sign-off Change Management

31

Documented Tailboard Conference Discussion

TBC Sheets Emergency Plan Traffic – Worker Protection Plan Additional Job Planning Notes Supervisor Check and Sign-off

Live Line Work


Barehand


4

5

33 Safe Limits of Approach

Cover-up is used when the Safe Limits of Approach cannot be maintained

34 Safe Limits of Approach

Insulated Cover-up and Live Line Techniques required in Restricted Zone

35

Use of Protective Insulated Cover-up

All PowerStream crews and Contractors must adhere to Safe Limits of Approach and the use of Protective Cover-up Here a Contractor works near a transformer

36


50 kV hard plastic cover-up

Used on 44 kV circuits Class 2 and 4 rubber blankets and hoses are use on 2.4 kV to 16 kV apparatus

37


Pole replacement near existing underground cable pole Rubber hoses and blankets are installed to provide required clearances

38 Conductor Stringing

Cover-up is installed Pole Guard is installed Rubber Gloves are worn

39 Switchgear Installation

Rubber Gloves are worn Hoses are applied Insulator Hoods are installed

40

Barehand 44 kV Switch Installation

Barehand Methods being used Cover-up and Hoses are applied Insulator Hoods are installed

Live Line Work


Barehand


6

42

Arc and Flash Resistant Clothing

Shirts, Pants, and Coveralls are supplied to all tradespeople Category 2 and 4

43


Contractors are also required to have their workers wear Arc and Flash Resistant Clothing

44

Personal Protective Equipment

Flash Protection for Face and Eyes are also provided Flash resistant hard hats are also provided

45


Arc and Flash Resistant Clothing even comes in Winter Clothing for temperatures to minus 40 Celsius

46 Investment in Equipment

PowerStream invests in high quality safety equipment and vehicles

47 Investment in Equipment

PowerStream believes safety and efficiencies begin with high quality tools and equipment

48





49

Live Line Work


Barehand

Building A Foundation of Competency

Competency and a High Level of Skill is essential for safe live line work

50

A Great Foundation College Training Program

Powerline Technician 2 year Co-op College Training Program

This skills based program offers a unique opportunity for students to prepare for all facets of the distribution powerline trade

51

A Great Foundation Starts with College Courses

Powerline Technician 2 year Co-op College Training Course

Students are registered as Powerline Technician Apprentices with the Provincial Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Ontario College of Trades The 2 year training course is sponsored and supported financially by government and the energy distribution companies in Ontario

52

A Great Foundation Starts with College Courses

The 2 year training course teaches students overhead and underground line work

53

A Great Foundation continues with Apprenticeship Training

Apprentices register with the government sponsored, 4 year, Powerline Technician Apprenticeship Program

54


The 4 year Apprenticeship includes: Six weeks of PowerStream Indoctrination Training Course Four – two week Apprenticeship Training delivered at the Ontario Line Trade Training Centre (MEARIE) 8000 hours of documented, on-the job field learning and mentoring

6 2 2 2 2

55


Every Contractor is required to hire qualified tradespeople or Apprentices who are registered with the government sponsored, 4 year, Apprenticeship Program

56


Contractor employees too must complete the Apprenticeship:

Four – two week Apprenticeship Training Sessions 8000 hours of field learning and mentoring

57

Line Training Matrix Continuing Education

PowerStream Qualified Trades people complete 2 weeks of training every year based on a six year rolling training matrix The training matrix is a comprehensive list of mandatory courses every tradesperson must complete through-out their careers

58

Line Training Matrix Continuing Education

PowerStream only hires Contractor who can prove their Qualified Tradespeople complete a comprehensive list of mandatory courses Training records are provided to PowerStream to show this on-going skills training is completed by all tradespeople of the contractor

59

Our Contractors have highly skilled Tradespeople

It is a requirement of PowerStream that our contractors work to our high standards, follow our rules and procedures and use the same safety equipment and PPE

60





Live Line Work


Barehand

Leadership and Compliance 1

62

Strong Message from the Executive Team

The Executive Team speaks with workers on a regular basis Safety meetings and Town Hall Meetings are used to communicate a strong safety message

Live Line Work


Barehand

Leadership and Compliance

2

64 H&S Steering Committee

The Health and Safety Department meet on a regular basis with the H&S Steering Committee (Exec. Members) They are presented with reports on on-going safety initiatives and results They provide direction and approval for new safety initiatives The report to Board of Governors on results of safety record and initiatives

Live Line Work


Barehand

Leadership and Compliance

3

66

PowerStream has a Pro-Active approach to safety investigations and the subsequent improvements Employees are encouraged to report on Hazard Concerns and Near Misses

Pro-active Investigations

67

Both of these reports are investigated as if the event actually happened But since no event occurred this is a Pro-active approach to working safer We don’t wait for an injury or worse to occur We continually promote the Pro-Active reporting of events and hazards This has lead to a reduction of actual injury events by 56% since 2010


68

Only 13% of investigations are reactive – over 85% are Pro-Active

Hazard Concerns

62% Near

Misses 25%

Injury 13%


Live Line Work


Barehand

Leadership and Compliance 4

70 Site Visits and Inspections

PowerStream employees in Managerial and Supervisory positions perform documented site inspections of work sites, facilities, and work equipment to ensure employees and contractors are working in compliance with the OHSA, applicable regulations, rules, policies, procedures and best practices

71

Documented Site Visits and Inspections

Every year over 2500 documented site visits are conducted on our work crews as well as our contractor’s work crews


Managers and supervisors take an active role and fulfill their due diligence obligations by ensuring their employees and contract employees are working safely Completion of a mandatory number of visits are part of Managers and Supervisors financial incentives


PowerStream employees and Contractors are expected to work safely AND they have regular safety visits from their supervisor, manager, director, and various members of the executive team

74 Inspection Items

PPE, Safety Equipment, and Vehicles Job Planning Folder and TBC documentation Barriers used to protect workers


Monthly totals of completed site inspections are displayed on the Health and Safety Dashboard

76 Small Incentive – Big Reward

If a crew does well during a site visit safety audit they each get a $5 Tim Horton Coffee Shop gift card Crews now strive to get this incentive It is the “pat on the back” they want from their supervisor, manager and CEO They boast to others when they get one

Live Line Work


Barehand

Conclusion

78





79 Success is Celebrated

We celebrate our success of having another safe year

Thank you for listening

Dave Yeoman PowerStream

Documents

9h00h 8SENSE DaveYeoman PowerStream