Safety in Live Line Working is a non-negotiable factor. Correct organization and cleaning at Live Line works are fundamental elements in avoiding failures of the tools, guaranteeing the integrity of professionals and maintaining operational efficiency. But what are the risks of disorganization and how can we ensure a safer working environment?
The dangers of a lack of organization and cleanliness in Live Line Working
If professionals don’t clean and store equipment properly, small cracks and structural damage can go unnoticed. These imperfections compromise operations, as they increase the risk of unexpected failures during use, making work more dangerous.
Disorganized storage and transport also aggravate this situation. Lack of discretion when stacking equipment can compromise the integrity of these tools due to mechanical impacts. Similarly, contact with sharp objects or rough surfaces can lead to scratches and cracks in insulating materials, making them unsafe for use. Therefore, in the long term, lack of proper care reduces the useful life of the equipment and can generate additional costs for replacement or repair.
Another critical aspect is the disorganization of tool storage, which can result in the wrong choice of equipment or even the absence of essential items when carrying out activities. This not only hampers the team’s efficiency, but also encourages unsafe improvisation, considerably increasing the risk of accidents.
Finally, when stored in unsuitable locations, such as damp or weathered environments, insulating equipment can lose its dielectric properties. This is due to the path created for the electric current through dust and humidity, making operations dangerous. In this way, professionals put their lives and the lives of their colleagues at risk.
Watch an excerpt from a class on organization and cleaning at Live Line in the Live Line Methodology course given by CTST:
Essential Procedures for Organizing and Cleaning Equipment
Storage must follow temperature and humidity controls and avoid direct contact with sharp objects. In addition, each piece of equipment should undergo a visual inspection before and after use, as checking for cracks, wear or signs of contamination is essential.
Correct sanitization of insulating materials
Rubber gloves, hot sticks and insulating covers must be cleaned with the appropriate products, avoiding solutions that could compromise their dielectric strength.
- Use soft, residue-free cloths to remove dirt and grease.
- Avoid aggressive solvents which can dry out or remove the protective resin from the insulating material. Primarily, use silicone and/or isopropyl alcohol for this work.
- Always dry materials completely before storing.
For information on suitable materials, consult the manufacturer’s catalog in the cleaning or restoration kits section.
Find out more at: Preservation and Handling of Live Line Tools – RITZ Brasil and Live-Line Tools – HUBBELL
Transport organization
Correct packaging during transportation prevents premature wear.
- Use appropriate containers or supports to avoid impacts.
- Make sure that all the necessary equipment is available before starting an activity, avoiding unnecessary returns or improvised solutions.
Electrical Testing, Control and Monitoring
Likewise, regular electrical tests are essential to ensure that Live Line tools remains safe and operational. Hot sticks, gloves and insulating covers must be subjected to regular dielectric tests to check that they maintain their insulating capacity.
Tools Maintenance: When it’s Possible and How to Proceed
Although it is possible to carry out maintenance and replacements on Live Line tools, this must not be done in any way. Substituting incompatible parts or parts of dubious origin can compromise the effectiveness of the insulation and the mechanical strength of the equipment. It is therefore essential to use exactly the same component recommended by the manufacturer to guarantee the safety and compliance of the materials.
In addition, the disposal of cast or rolled parts that have been dropped, such as yokes and saddles, for example, is highly recommended. Such impacts can cause internal damage that is invisible to the bare eye. Even if there are no apparent cracks, internal microcracks can significantly reduce the material’s structural strength, making it unsafe for use.
On the other hand, hot sticks can undergo restoration processes as long as they follow the technical criteria required by the manufacturer to ensure safety. When properly restored, these poles regain their original characteristics and can be used with the same reliability as new ones. In many cases, poles that are well looked after and subjected to periodic testing can last for many years without losing their dielectric and mechanical properties.
For this reason, whenever there is any suspicion of damage to a piece of equipment or material, the best course of action is to contact the manufacturer directly. Only the manufacturer will be able to give the correct advice on whether maintenance is feasible or whether it needs to be replaced. Working with compromised materials can put lives at risk and compromise the safety of the entire operation.
Conclusion: Organization and Cleanliness as a Pillar of Security
Correct organization and cleaning at Live Line works are not just good practices – they are essential requirements for guaranteeing safety, efficiency and compliance with the sector’s regulations. A well-organized team stands out not only for its efficiency, but above all for its risk prevention and operational reliability.
If your company is looking to train teams to work safely on energized networks and lines, CTST offers specialized training in the sector. Get in touch and find out how our experience can add value to your operations and protect the lives of electricians, the continuity of the system and the safety of your company.
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