Jibs and material handlers on Buckets

[Boomer gone soft]

A lineman was burned for IPC 2 weeks ago. He was replacing arrestors on a 34.5 kV line with 13.8kV underbuild. He was handling the ground and touched the bucket controls while his jib was in contact with the underbuild. This is identical to an accident in St. Paul, MN on Xcel property last summer.

In both cases the lineman had a ground in one hand and touched the pistol grip while his jib was in the primary.

We must remember the controls MUST be considered energized while ANY part of the boom tip is in contact with energized conductors (actually if within the MAD).

Both of these accidents could have been prevented with 1. more cover or 2. gloves and sleeves.

Our thoughts and prayers are with both of these brothers and their families.

[PA BEN]

Sounds to me that the jib wasn't rated for that voltage?

[Stinger]

What am I missing here? If you are in a bucket replacing arrestors where in the hell are your gloves, sleeves and hose in the first place. Never consider the jib and pistol grip as insulated and isolated unless you have a link stick on the hook, but then still consider everything hot. I think we have had many discussions on this issue over the years on this site. If we look at all the post, it was most always someone using the jib and grabbing the control without gloves.

[lewy]

There are 2 different things here if you are changing arrestors in a live area you should at a least have your rubber gloves & appropriate cover up.
When using a jib you have to have it pined properly to the voltage worked on and again you have to have your gloves on when touching the pole or anything attached to it.
Also where is the man on the ground watching?

[wtdoor67]

Also looks like one man alone dinking with primary.

[CPOPE]

With any of these accidents it is awful easy to jump to conclusions. Let's learn what we can without passing a harsh judgment. Matt. 7:1

Caution if you think the jib of a material handler is dielectricaly tested. Is the jib tested independant of the insulated sections of the boom and be aware the boom tip and knuckel are all conductive. The jib extends and retracts like the third extension on a digger derrick. The stinger is fiberglass and typically untested on a derrick. Assume it to be conductive and use coverup.

Check out this video on the subject.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J52RqPsV9jo

[Boomer gone soft]

That's exactly my point stinger, and PA....

Many of us are under the impression the jib is rated. According to the manufacturer it is not. If the jib, or material handler, is in contact with energized conductors, the controls MUST be considered energized. Any part of the boom tip (the portion past the "arrow stickers") is not considered dielectrically rated. If any portion of the boom tip is within the MAD distance, then gloves and sleeves must be worn.

This is a common misunderstanding. The dielectric rating is from the "arrow stickers" down. It does not include the boom tip.

[Boomer gone soft]

CPOPE...

I am not judging our brothers, I would be the last to do that.

I am simply relaying information. The formal conclusion of the investigation of the Xcel accident is that cover and/or gloves would have prevented the accident. The IPC accident is still under investigation.

I know I have myself worked under these same misconceptions prior to the Xcel accident.

[lewy]

The jibs up here are tested along with our booms & bucket liners yearly. It is routine up here to stick & jib the 44kv . On the 44kv we need at least 4' of jib pinned out & do not need our rubber gloves (class 2) until we touch the pole . We will have the uncovered part of the conductor in our jib head.

[PA BEN]

Our bucket truck material handler jib's are tested and tagged, just like a hot stick. If we use the winch rope we use a link stick.