Live Line - Team Definitions

[Dick Milton]

Thanks for allowing me to join your forum.

I have long since hung up my climbers in the UK and become an office based engineer writing and controlling policies and procedures for live line working.

I am currently writing a new policy for live line working and our merged company use a variety of names for each team member. My first thoughts were to see if there are any international definitions.

Are there any distinct names used within a live line team?
e.g. Chargehand? Team Leader? Observer? Groundsman? etc and what are their responsibilities?

many thanks

[Budda]

I went through this arguement with my management, with procedures vs policy. They were trying to enforce policy, which meant that i had to follow this mandate to the letter. If i was doing hot line work, i would want to follow what ever procedure the JL, leadhand and watcher would converse amongst themselves to come up with right way to achieve their mission with safety being paramount. Don't get me wrong, you must have the basics policy in place, such as gloves, and sleeves must be worn, cradle to cradle or when entering the primary zone. truck must be bonded/grounded you get my drift.

[Dick Milton]

We have all the control systems in place as mentioned by you coverd in the tailboard conference sheet.

The set up of the teams at the moment is like this.
There is a nominated team leader (leadhand) within the live line team who is also a trained observer (watcher) and can also carry out live line work.

The observer can observe and carry out live line work

Once the tailboard conference sheet is completed the observer has overal responsibility for the work and signs for this on the TC, The observer may not be the lead hand.

In your set up, if something went wrong who is responsible?

In our case it would be the nominated observer.

Hope this makes sense!

[BillyMac]

Where I'm at we document on the Risk Assesment the P.I.C.W(person in charge of work) normally the Leading Hand the LiveLine workers aloft and the S.O(Saftey Observer). Now we still have the PICW being the SO some times or the PICW working aloft.

[Dick Milton]

The systems sound very similar and in fairness their background is from the USA.

My concerns are who would take the can if something went wrong when the lead hand is in the IAD completing the work?

[upntheair]

Hi Dick,
Firstly I have to start by saying that I feel a bit uncomfortable with the whole "finding someone to blame" bit. I used to be a Chargehand or Foreman Hot Glover with SSE in Scotland and they always tried to get away from the blame culture.
I do understand that ultimately someone is always responsible and as Foreman I accept that responsibility (I currently carry out the same role in NZ), however it is my understanding that legally all parties that sign on the tailgate are held responsible for their actions

[BillyMac]

I'm with upntheair in the end we are all responsible for our actions but come to the crunch if it ever did I'd say the SO would have a big part to answer for. He should be able to stop work being carried out in the air should it look like turning bad also the workers aloft should take notice and listen to the SO.In the we all want to go home in one piece.

[PA BEN]

http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/electricalworkers/default.htm#WAC296-45-075

WAC 296-45-085 Leadworker's responsibility.

(1) Every leadworker shall understand these and any other applicable safety rules and comply therewith. Leadworkers shall require all employees under their direction or supervision to read this chapter and the provisions contained therein and require every employee subject to this chapter to be able to apply this chapter and any provision of this chapter on a day-to-day basis.

(2) Leadworkers shall inform employees under their supervision or direction of the type and voltage of circuits on or near which the employees are to work.

(3) Leadworkers shall require all employees under their supervision to properly use safety devices and equipment, including barricades, warning flags or signs, or any other device called for to protect employees.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-085, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-095 Leadworker-employee responsibility.

(1) An employee shall protect his/her climbing and working space at all times if the conductors are so spaced that in climbing or working he/she will be, or where it is possible to come within, the minimum required distances specified in these rules.

(2) Leadworkers or supervisors shall in good faith consider verbal or written reports of hazardous conditions and shall, as soon as practicable, investigate and remedy same if warranted.

(3) When hazards are reported by employees, leadworkers and others having authority shall accept the report in a cooperative manner, and in no case shall an employee be reprimanded or penalized for reporting hazards or potential hazards.

(4) Leadworkers shall require all employees under their supervision to keep their belts, spurs, and straps in good working condition. When straps and belts are in poor condition or defective, they shall not be used.

(5) Before leaving a jobsite, leadworkers shall correct or arrange to give warning of any condition which might result in injury to employees.

(6) No employee shall be permitted or allowed to remain on the jobsite when under the influence of any intoxicating beverage or controlled substance or substances: Provided, That if an employee is taking prescription medication under the direction of a practicing physician and such prescription does not interfere with the safe performance of the work assigned, such employee may be permitted to work.

(7) No intoxicating beverages or controlled substances shall be consumed on the jobsite other than prescription medication as set forth above.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-095, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-105 Work required of leadworkers.

(1) A leadworker cannot properly supervise the work and look out for the safety of employees under their direction if required to work as a leadworker and a lineworker at the same time.

(2) Leadworkers should be constantly alert and shall not be required to serve in such dual capacity, except in crews of not more than two lineworkers, in which case they may work as one of the lineworkers.

(3) In crews of two lineworkers or less, each lineworker may have a groundworker but, if additional lineworkers or groundworkers are added to the crew, the leadworker shall confine his/her activities to supervising the work, as exhibited below:


Type of Crew
Minimum Requirements

2 lineworkers
One lineworker as person in charge.

2 lineworkers plus 1 groundworker
One lineworker as person in charge or climbing leadworker.

2 lineworkers plus 2 groundworkers
One lineworker as person in charge or climbing leadworker.

2 lineworkers plus any combination of 3 lineworkers or Groundworkers
One nonclimbing leadworker.


[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-105, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

WAC 296-45-115 Employee's responsibility.

(1) Employees shall not engage in horseplay or scuffling while on the job or jobsite and the employer shall not permit horseplay or scuffling while on the jobsite or otherwise in the course of employment.

(2) During such time as any employee is working on or near any energized line or energized equipment in excess of 600 volts there shall be no talking or communication other than that which is absolutely necessary and essential for the safe and proper performance of the work. Should there be communication or talk from a person other than an employee, the work shall stop until such time as the distraction ceases.

(3) Employees shall report any hazardous or potentially hazardous condition, operation, means, or work in a constructive manner and shall not engage in personality conflicts.

(4) Neither the employer nor the employees shall throw or permit anything to be thrown from elevated position(s) or poles to the ground or lower level, nor shall anything be thrown from the ground or lower level to an elevated position, whether that elevated position is on a pole, aerial manlift or otherwise. Tools and loose materials shall not be left on poles, crossarms, ladders or other elevated structures or positions.

(5) Employees shall report all injuries, regardless of severity, to the employer or designated representative. Report forms furnished by the employer should be used.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, .060. 98-07-009 (Order 97-17), §296-45-115, filed 03/06/98, effective 05/06/98.]

[Dick Milton]

I am extremely grateful for the responses received on my original question based around responsibilities.

Agreed everyone is responsible for their own actions and in some cases of others. We all live in a no blame culture but there must be nominated individuals who own the responsibility.

I am pleased to read the lead hand is not expected to always be in charge if he is acting as a line hand. This is similar to the systems we use in our company and we would pass the responsibility onto the observer until the job is complete.

I have a meeting on 6 June to debate this issue. Part of our company believe the lead hand is always responsible even if he is in the IAD working as a linehand.

I will use your views during the debate.

Thanks again

"Once a linesman always a linesman"

[Baldylinesman]

This no Blame Culture Sucks, because we all know it doesn't exist as Management must been seen to be doing something when there has been an incident. Thats why they want a PIC

Personally I cant understand how the SO can be completetely Responsable. He/She is looking from the ground, and cant see everything that is going on and thats where good team work comes in and the guys/gals up in the Air look out for each other.

Yes the Holder of the document is In charge of the work but surely he cant be held solely responsible.

BL