Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Post-Tensioning Cable Handling and Testing

This document outlines the mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the safe handling and testing of post-tensioning cables. It aims to prevent injuries resulting from cable failure or the sudden release of tension. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for ensuring worker safety during post-tensioning operations.

General PPE Requirements

• Head Protection: Hard hats meeting ANSI Z89.2-1971, "Safety Requirements for Industrial Protective Helmets for Electrical Workers, Class B" are required where there is a potential for high voltage electrical contact.
• Eye Protection: Safety glasses or goggles meeting the requirements of §1910.133 (a)(2) thru (a)(6) are necessary to protect against foreign objects that may enter the eyes during work operations such as cutting tendon tails.
• Hand Protection: Gloves appropriate for the task are essential. For handling suspension strand, insulating gloves shall be worn, especially when handling cable suspension strand which is being installed on poles carrying exposed energized power conductors.
• Foot Protection: Safety shoes or boots that meet industry standards are required to protect feet from potential impact or crushing hazards.
• High-Visibility Apparel: Workers should wear high-visibility clothing to ensure they are easily seen by equipment operators and other personnel, especially in busy construction environments.

Specific PPE Requirements for Post-Tensioning Operations

In addition to the general PPE requirements, the following specific PPE is mandatory during post-tensioning operations:

• Face Shield: A face shield should be worn in conjunction with safety glasses to provide additional protection against potential projectiles during tensioning or de-tensioning operations.
• Hearing Protection: Earplugs or earmuffs should be used if the noise levels from the stressing equipment exceed permissible exposure limits.
• Fall Protection: A positioning system or a personal fall arrest system shall be provided and the employer shall ensure their use when work is performed at positions more than 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground, on poles, and on towers, except as provided in paragraphs (n)(7) and (8) of this section. These systems shall meet the applicable requirements in subpart I of this part. The employer shall ensure that all climbing equipment is inspected before each day's use to determine that it is in safe working condition.

Electrical Safety

• Insulating Gloves: When handling cable suspension strand which is being installed on poles carrying exposed energized power conductors, employees shall wear insulating gloves and shall avoid body contact with the strand until after it has been tensioned, dead-ended and permanently grounded.
• Testing for Voltage: Metal power conduit on joint use poles, exposed vertical power ground wires, and street light fixtures which are below communications attachments or less than 20 inches above these attachments, shall be considered energized and shall be tested for voltage unless the employee can visually determine that they are bonded to the communications suspension strand or cable sheath.

Additional Safety Measures and Considerations

• Competent Person Inspection: Before each day's use the employer shall ensure that these personal protective devices, tools, and equipment are carefully inspected by a competent person to ascertain that they are in good condition.
• Training: Employers shall provide training in the various precautions and safe practices described in this section and shall ensure that employees do not engage in the activities to which this section applies until such employees have received proper training in the various precautions and safe practices required by this section.
• Grounding: Electric power conductors and equipment shall be considered as energized unless the employee can visually determine that they are bonded to one of the grounds listed in paragraph (m)(4) of this section.

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and the specific PPE requirements may vary depending on the specific task, environment, and applicable regulations. Always conduct a thorough risk assessment before commencing any post-tensioning work to identify all potential hazards and determine the appropriate PPE.

Citations

Eye protection meeting the requirements of $1910.133 (a)(2) thru (a)(6) shall be provided and the employer shall ensure its use by employees where foreign objects may enter the eyes due to work operations such as but not limited to:. [4]

Head protection meeting the requirements of ANSI Z89.2-1971, "Safety Requirements for Industrial Protective Helmets for Electrical Workers, Class B" shall be provided whenever there is exposure to possible high voltage electrical contact, and the employer shall ensure that the head protection is used by employees. [4]

When handling cable suspension strand which is being installed on poles carrying exposed energized power conductors, employees shall wear insulating gloves and shall avoid body contact with the strand until after it has been tensioned, dead-ended and permanently grounded. [1]

A positioning system or a personal fall arrest system shall be provided and the employer shall ensure their use when work is performed at positions more than 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground, on poles, and on towers, except as provided in paragraphs (n)(7) and (8) of this section. [4]

Before each day's use the employer shall ensure that these personal protective devices, tools, and equipment are carefully inspected by a competent person to ascertain that they are in good condition. [5]

Employers shall provide training in the various precautions and safe practices described in this section and shall ensure that employees do not engage in the activities to which this section applies until such employees have received proper training in the various precautions and safe practices required by this section. [3]

Electric power conductors and equipment shall be considered as energized unless the employee can visually determine that they are bonded to one of the grounds listed in paragraph (m)(4) of this section. [2]

Metal power conduit on joint use poles, exposed vertical power ground wires, and street light fixtures which are below communications attachments or less than 20 inches above these attachments, shall be considered energized and shall be tested for voltage unless the employee can visually determine that they are bonded to the communications suspension strand or cable sheath. [2]

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