03-11-05 -- Electrical Contracting Foundation Goes Public with Research to Protect Line Workers
Bethesda, MD – The Electrical Contracting Foundation (ECF) recently held a workshop in Phoenix to publicize its early research into methods for safeguarding workers on the ground from electric shock hazards during powerline construction and maintenance. The February 17 workshop was attended by major line constructors, electric utilities, and industry organizations including the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).The ECF Transmission and Distribution Worksite Shock Protection project is focusing on the benefits of establishing equipotential zones at overhead line work sites, to protect against line-to-ground faults, in conjunction with grounding, isolation (barricading), and insulation techniques. A powered model of distribution poles and conductors used for safety training of line workers was used at the workshop to illustrate equipotential jumper configurations.
Scope of Research Project
The Foundation research project began in 2004 and is expected to conclude in 2006, with development of an ANSI-approved industry standard defining best practices for protecting ground workers performing construction and maintenance work on electric transmission and distribution systems. Because protective techniques for workers aloft on transmission structures (poles) and in bucket trucks are better understood, these aren’t within the scope of the current ECF research effort.
Likewise, this research will only deal with protecting ground workers from the electric shock hazards of overhead line work. Underground T&D construction presents different safety challenges and will not be directly addressed. However, the current study is expected to yield results that may be applicable to high-voltage construction and maintenance work in power plant yards, substations, and industrial installations.
Field testing on electrical hazards and mitigation techniques will begin next month at a Kansas City Power & Light facility. Testing is planned for a number of locations around the country because varying soil conditions, customary work practices, climate conditions, and utility power system configurations around the country affect the degree of primary shock hazard to ground workers.
"I received a lot of good input from the workshop participants regarding the computer analyses and field testing we’re performing this year," said principal researcher Thomas E. Glavinich, D.E., P.E., of the Department Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering the University of Kansas. “We had a number of top safety professionals from contracting firms, utilities, and other industry organizations.”
Foundation Research May Influence OSHA
There are close ties between this Electrical Contracting Foundation (ECF) research project and another major line industry safety initiative, the OSHA Transmission and Distribution Strategic Safety Partnership. NECA is involved in both efforts, along with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, major line constructors, and other stakeholders.
Accident data generated by the OSHA Partnership will be used in the ECF research project. Shock protection techniques developed by the Transmission and Distribution Worksite Shock Protection research may be incorporated into the safety “best practices” being developed by the OSHA Partnership for use in line construction operations.
“It’s been very rewarding working on this Electrical Contracting Foundation research project,” commented James F. Christensen, corporate director of safety and training at PAR Electrical Contractors Inc. in Kansas City. “It has attracted some of the best safety field personnel, professionals and academics in the industry.”
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The Electrical Contracting Foundation (ELECTRI’21), established in 1988, is the primary research arm of the electrical construction industry. Foundation research projects are intended to improve the productivity, professionalism, and competitiveness of electrical contractors. To learn more about the Electrical Contracting Foundation, please visit http://www.electri21.org .
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The National Electrical Contractors Association is the voice of the $100 billion industry responsible for bringing lighting, power, and communications to buildings and communities across the United States. NECA’s national office and 120 local chapters. advance the electrical contracting industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development. NECA celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2001. For more information, visit http://www.necanet.org.