Moving Equipment Safely Moving Equipment Safely around Power Linesaround Power Lines

Presented by: Farmington Electric Utility FCSN-Equipment Move Task Force

Presenter

Steve Henson - Steve Henson - System Operations System Operations

ManagerManager Farmington Electric UtilityFarmington Electric Utility

Equipment Move Task ForceEquipment Move Task Force&&

Farmington Electric UtilityFarmington Electric Utility

An electrical hazard can exist during any An electrical hazard can exist during any number of situations or emergencies that oil field number of situations or emergencies that oil field workers are exposed to every day. This training workers are exposed to every day. This training has been designed to assist area Companies has been designed to assist area Companies and other agencies in providing a safe work and other agencies in providing a safe work atmosphere for their personnel in working atmosphere for their personnel in working around electricity and accidental contact and around electricity and accidental contact and other electrical emergencies.other electrical emergencies.

ObjectiveObjective

Common MythsCommon Myths The basic electric circuitThe basic electric circuit Effects of electricity on the Effects of electricity on the

human bodyhuman body Line IdentificationLine Identification What to do if contact is What to do if contact is

mademade Step Potential, How to get Step Potential, How to get

away!!away!! What can be done to make What can be done to make

equipment moves safer? equipment moves safer?

Agenda Agenda

Fatal Electrical Workplace Accidents Fatal Electrical Workplace Accidents 2003-20072003-2007

Worker contact with electric current was responsible for 1,213 fatal workplace accidents from 2003-2007 and 13,150 workers were so severely injured from electrical contacts that their injuries required time off from work. Data: Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)

According to the According to the Electrical Safety Electrical Safety Foundation International Foundation International (ESFi)(ESFi)

• Power lines are the single greatest on the Power lines are the single greatest on the job electrical hazard, killing an average of job electrical hazard, killing an average of 133 workers per year. 133 workers per year.

• Our goal is to do our part in the Four Our goal is to do our part in the Four Corners to reduce this number by Corners to reduce this number by educating our field personnel of the educating our field personnel of the hazards associated with electrical power hazards associated with electrical power lines during equipment moves and working lines during equipment moves and working on the job sites. on the job sites.

Common Myths about Common Myths about ElectricityElectricity

The lowest line on a pole is safe to contact. Electricity will jump several feet to a person

or object. The tires on a vehicle will protect a person

from electricity. It is safe to use any insulating material to

contact an electric line. (Wood, fiberglass, rope, PVC….)

All overhead power lines are insulated to protect against accidental contact.

Myth:Myth: The lowest line on a pole is The lowest line on a pole is safe to contact.safe to contact.

The lowest line on a pole is not always the safest line.

In the top picture, the low line is a communications line, a low hazard potential.

However, the lowest line in the bottom picture shows the high voltage line as the lowest line on the pole and has a very high hazard potential. Utilities use this type of construction for lightning protection on the line.

MythMyth: : Electricity will jump several Electricity will jump several feet to a person or object.feet to a person or object.

This statement can be true depending on the voltage.You don’t need to contact a power line to be in danger; electricity can jump, or arc, from a power line to a worker who gets too close. The best insulator is lots of space. Workers should keep themselves and any equipment they’re using a minimum of ten feet away from power lines, but far greater safe distances are recommended when possible. Certain conditions, such as smoke or dust can increase the arcing distance considerably.

MythMyth: : The tires on a vehicle will The tires on a vehicle will protect a person from electricity. protect a person from electricity.

Tires offer little or no protection to a driver or passenger who attempts to exit a vehicle when contact with high voltage is made. Most tires have steel cores and the rubber is contaminated from being on the roads. High voltage will track across the tires and go to ground. A very high amount of heat is created and in most cases the tires will start on fire. Multiple tires may be involved, we will discuss parallel paths in a later slide.

Myth: It is safe to use any insulating It is safe to use any insulating material to contact an electric line. material to contact an electric line. (Wood, fiberglass, rope, PVC …)(Wood, fiberglass, rope, PVC …)

There are many different types of insulating materials. But only those tools designed and tested for electrical work can be used to contact energized electric lines and equipment. These specialized tools also require proper training to use!

Untested materials, such as wooden broom handles, 2x4’s, rope and PVC pipe, can be contaminated, wet or cracked allowing voltage to pass through the material.

Myth:Myth: All overhead power lines All overhead power lines are insulated to protect against are insulated to protect against

accidental contact.accidental contact.While a few power lines While a few power lines may have a covering to may have a covering to protect against weather, protect against weather, they are not insulated for they are not insulated for contact. Birds can sit on contact. Birds can sit on power lines unhurt power lines unhurt because they don’t because they don’t represent a path to represent a path to ground. You, your trucks ground. You, your trucks and tools do.and tools do.

The Basic Electrical SystemThe Basic Electrical System

The Basic Electrical Circuit

Voltage - The “pressure” that pushes an electrical charge through a conductor.

Amperage or Current - The measure of electrical current flow.

Resistance - The opposition to electrical current flow, measured in Ohms.

It’s your choice, the circuit can look like this….

Or like this…….

One Amp of Electricity or Less can KILLOne Amp of Electricity or Less can KILL1 Milliamp = 1 Milliamp = 1/1000 of an 1/1000 of an ampamp

2 Milliamps – 2 Milliamps – Mild shockMild shock

10 milliamps – 10 milliamps – Can’t let goCan’t let go

50 milliamps – 50 milliamps – Breathing Breathing difficultdifficult

100 milliamps – 100 milliamps – Heart StopsHeart Stops

300 milliamps – 300 milliamps – Severe Burns, Severe Burns, breathing stopsbreathing stops

Ohm’s LawOhm’s Law

For example…For example…•In your home, a 100 watt light bulb uses 120 volts and has 144 ohms of resistance, this equals 833 milliamps of current. 120 / 144 = .833 or 833 mA.

•If you contact a 120 volt source in your home, and your body has 500 ohms of resistance, you will receive 240mA through your body. 120/500= .240 or 240 mA

Each victim will have an entrance and an Each victim will have an entrance and an exit wound on their bodyexit wound on their body

The amount of damage to the body depends The amount of damage to the body depends on the current, time of exposure, and the on the current, time of exposure, and the part of the body affected.part of the body affected.

How much Electricity does it take to KILL?How much Electricity does it take to KILL?

Step Potential Step Potential

Caution: A few of the following pictures are Caution: A few of the following pictures are graphic. graphic.

High Voltage Electricity on the High Voltage Electricity on the Human BodyHuman Body

480 Volt Flash Burns480 Volt Flash Burns

Exposure to between Exposure to between 4000 and 8000 volts.4000 and 8000 volts.

Entrance wound

Exit wound

Exposure to an excess of 7500 Exposure to an excess of 7500 voltsvolts

Burns from Electrical contactBurns from Electrical contact

Contact with a high voltage line can Contact with a high voltage line can be devastating, damage to be devastating, damage to equipment, or worse….. equipment, or worse…..

Yes! Even Deadly……Yes! Even Deadly……

High VoltageLine

Path to ground

Step Potential Step Potential

Step Potential Voltage RingStep Potential Voltage Ring

•Attempt to drive away from the contact. If your vehicle will not move…….

•Remain calm and stay in the vehicle.

•Instruct bystanders to stay away. If you are able, call for emergency help or have someone else call.

• If you must exit the vehicle due to fire or other life threatening situations, due so by standing at the edge of the vehicle and jump away. Keep both feet together and hop or shuffle away from the vehicle. DO NOT touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time!

If your vehicle or load comes in contact If your vehicle or load comes in contact with power lines:with power lines:

How to move from a downed line.How to move from a downed line.

Parallel Path Parallel Path

In simple terms, current will follow more than one path to ground. If you touch a vehicle that is in contact with a high power line, and you see arcing at one of the tires, you may still become a path to ground. Electricity will find as many paths as is can to go to ground, all can be fatal.

Another example of a Parallel Another example of a Parallel Path!Path!

Contact with high voltage Contact with high voltage Distribution LineDistribution Line

Driving under high voltage linesDriving under high voltage lines

OSHA Regulation statesOSHA Regulation states

1910.333(c)(3)(iii) 1910.333(c)(3)(iii)

"Vehicular and mechanical equipment.""Vehicular and mechanical equipment."

1910.333(c)(3)(iii)(A) 1910.333(c)(3)(iii)(A)

Any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts Any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines shall be of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines shall be operated so that a clearance of 10 ft. (305 cm) is maintained. If operated so that a clearance of 10 ft. (305 cm) is maintained. If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10kV over that voltage. increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10kV over that voltage. However, under any of the following condition, the clearance However, under any of the following condition, the clearance may be reduced:may be reduced:

1910.333(c)(3)(iii)(A)(1) If the vehicle is in transit with its 1910.333(c)(3)(iii)(A)(1) If the vehicle is in transit with its structure lowered, the clearance may be reduced to 4 ft. (122 structure lowered, the clearance may be reduced to 4 ft. (122 cm). If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be cm). If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10 kV over that voltage.increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10 kV over that voltage.

So what do the regulations say?So what do the regulations say?

Identifying types of power linesIdentifying types of power lines

Power lines come in many Power lines come in many different voltages and different voltages and configurations. configurations.

Knowing what you are dealing Knowing what you are dealing with is very important.with is very important.

You may not be able to identify You may not be able to identify the exact voltage, but at least the exact voltage, but at least know the class or type of line know the class or type of line you are working around. you are working around.

TransmissionTransmission

DistributionDistribution

Secondary (low voltage)Secondary (low voltage)

CommunicationsCommunications

Electric lines can come in many Electric lines can come in many different shapes and sizesdifferent shapes and sizes

Transmission

Distribution

Secondary

Communication

Transmission LinesTransmission Lines

Voltages from 69,000 to 345,000 volts in this area. (There are still higher voltages in other areas.)

345KV transmission lines345KV transmission lines

230KV transmission lines230KV transmission lines

115KV transmission line115KV transmission line

69KV transmission line69KV transmission line

Distribution LinesDistribution LinesVoltages range from 2400 volts to 8,000 volts phase to ground and 4,160 volts to 14,400 volts phase to phase.

3 Phase distribution line3 Phase distribution line

3 Phase distribution line3 Phase distribution line

3 Phase distribution line with 3 Phase distribution line with neutral on top.neutral on top.

3 Phase distribution line with 3 Phase distribution line with slim line construction slim line construction

Single phase lineSingle phase line

Single phase line with neutral Single phase line with neutral on top of pole. on top of pole.

Secondary LinesSecondary LinesLower voltages, from 110 volts to 480 volts, three phase and single phase. (Low voltage is generally considered anywhere from 1 to 600 volts)

Secondary line (120/240 volts)Secondary line (120/240 volts)

Communication LinesCommunication Lines

Communication lines connected to pole.Communication lines connected to pole.In most cases, communication lines are connected without an insulator.In most cases, communication lines are connected without an insulator.

Multiple communication lines. Multiple communication lines.

This pole has fiber lines and copper communications lines. This pole has fiber lines and copper communications lines.

So, what can we do to make So, what can we do to make equipment moves safer?equipment moves safer?

Train all employees about the hazards.Train all employees about the hazards.

Take the time to plan the job!Take the time to plan the job!

Consider Consider allall overhead lines as energized. overhead lines as energized.

Conduct a route survey before moving and Conduct a route survey before moving and survey for overhead lines that cannot be survey for overhead lines that cannot be cleared.cleared.

Contact the utility company for proper ID of Contact the utility company for proper ID of lines and assistance with having the lines lines and assistance with having the lines moved or de-energized.moved or de-energized.

Ensure that workers keep at least 10 feet away Ensure that workers keep at least 10 feet away from from all all overhead lines and overhead lines and never never use any use any conductive or un-tested material to touch a line. conductive or un-tested material to touch a line. Only qualified persons trained in accordance Only qualified persons trained in accordance with OSHA 1910.269 are allowed to touch lines with OSHA 1910.269 are allowed to touch lines with any device.with any device.

While equipment is in transit, maintain at least 4 While equipment is in transit, maintain at least 4 foot of clearance from overhead lines. If you foot of clearance from overhead lines. If you can’t maintain that clearance, can’t maintain that clearance, STOP THE JOB STOP THE JOB and re-evaluate before proceeding.and re-evaluate before proceeding.

Moving Equipment Safely Moving Equipment Safely Around Power LinesAround Power Lines

What action will What action will

YOU YOU take to help minimize the take to help minimize the

hazard?hazard?

The EndThe End

Questions ???Contact Steve Henson, Farmington Electric Utility

E-mail: shenson@fmtn.org

Phone: 505-599-8331