a. Preoperative Tests.- Tests shall be made before starting work each day, each
time the insulated tower boom mounting is relocated, and when changed conditions
indicate a need for additional tests. A microammeter designed for use with insulated
ladders shall be used for testing the dielectric current through the horizontal
insulated boom pole, If the measured dielectric current after 1 minute is less than
0.333 microampere for each kilovolt of nominal line-to-line voltage, the insulated
tower boom may be placed and the work started. A written record of these tests shall
be maintained both with the equipment and in the responsible operating office. Work
operations shall be suspended immediately upon indication of a malfunction in the
equipment.
b. Clothing.- Workmen on insulated tower booms shall be completely clothed in
conductive clothing designed for barehand work. Workmen on steel towers shall also
wear conductive footwear.
c. Securing Boom.- The insulated tower .boom shall be positively secured to the
structure by means of a tower mount and adequately sized insulating sticks, all
tightly clamped to prevent slippage or creepage. Neither the energized end of the
insulated tower boom nor the workman shall be solidly clamped or tied to the
conductor, insulator string, or other suspended component when connectors are
being worked on.
d. Rigging.- Before a workman is allowed on the insulated tower boom, the crew
foreman must first make sure that all rigging is complete and secure.
e. Control of Boom.- Positive movement control of the insulated tower boom shall
normally be provided from the structure or ground, using hot sticks and/or
nonconductive rope. The control equipment shall provide a positive means of moving
the workman on the insulated tower boom a safe distance away from any energized
feature. Sufficient personnel shall be provided on the structure or on the ground to
adequately handle and control the insulated tower boom.
The insulated tower boom shall be moved to a safe, deenergized position prior to
permitting the workman to mount or dismount it.
f. Bonding.- Before beginning work, the workman shall bond his or her conductive
clothing to the energized circuit.
g. Passing Objects.- Objects that are to be passed by hot stick to the workman on
the insulated tower boom shall be passed only after he or she is bonded to the
energized circuit. These items shall not be passed directly to the workman, but shall
first be touched to the energized circuit.
18 (FIST 3 - 29 5/90)