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

This document outlines the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for personnel involved in the testing and inspection of post-tensioning cables. It addresses potential hazards associated with these activities and specifies the necessary safety measures to mitigate risks and ensure worker safety.

Potential Hazards

The testing and inspection of post-tensioning cables can expose workers to several hazards, including:

Falling from elevated surfaces during inspection.
Being struck by displaced stressing equipment or cable components.
Being exposed to high-stress cables under tension.
Being exposed to electrical hazards if working near power lines or electrical equipment.
Being exposed to impalement hazards from reinforcing steel.

Mandatory PPE Requirements

To ensure the safety of personnel during post-tensioning cable testing and inspection, the following PPE is mandatory:

Head Protection

Hard hats meeting ANSI Z89.2-1971, "Safety Requirements for Industrial Protective Helmets for Electrical Workers, Class B" standards are required where there is a potential for head injury from falling objects, impact, or electrical contact.
The employer shall ensure that the head protection is used by employees.

[8]

Eye Protection

Safety glasses or goggles 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.

[8] Examples of operations that necessitate eye protection include:

Drilling or chipping stone, brick, or masonry.
Working on or around high-speed emery or other grinding wheels unprotected by guards.
Cutting or chipping terra cotta ducts, tile, etc.
Cleaning operations using compressed air, steam, or sand blast.
Acetylene welding or similar operations where sparks are thrown off.

[8]

Hand Protection

Gloves appropriate for the task are required to prevent cuts, abrasions, burns, and skin contact with chemicals.
The employer should request documentation from the manufacturer that the gloves meet the appropriate test standard(s) for the hazard(s) anticipated.

[7] [7] Considerations for glove selection include:

The toxic properties of the chemicals being handled.
The ability of the chemical to cause local effects on the skin and/or pass through the skin and cause systemic effects.
The degree of dexterity required for the work.
The duration, frequency, and degree of exposure to the hazard.
The physical stresses that will be applied.

[7] [7]

Foot Protection

Safety shoes or boots meeting appropriate safety standards are required to protect against foot injuries from falling objects, punctures, or crushing hazards.

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.
Personal fall arrest systems must meet the requirements of Division 2/1 for general industry activities.
For employers engaged in construction activities, personal fall arrest systems must meet the requirements of Division 3/M.

[8] [6]

High-Visibility Apparel

High-visibility safety apparel is required to ensure workers are visible to equipment operators and other personnel, especially in low-light conditions or areas with heavy equipment traffic.

Electrical Protective Equipment

Insulating gloves shall be worn during these operations.
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.

[4] [3] Additional Safety Measures

Competent Person Inspections: Before each day's use, a competent person must carefully inspect all personal protective devices, tools, and equipment to ensure they are in good condition.
Equipment Testing: The employer is responsible for the periodic retesting of all insulating gloves, blankets, and other rubber insulating equipment. This retesting shall be electrical, visual, and mechanical.
Training: Employers shall provide training in the various precautions and safe practices and shall ensure that employees do not engage in the activities until such employees have received proper training in the various precautions and safe practices required.
Certification: The employer shall certify that equipment has been tested in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (c)(2)(iv), (c)(2)(vii)(D), (c)(2)(viii), (c)(2)(ix), and (c)(2)(xi) of this section. The certification shall identify the equipment that passed the test and the date it was tested and shall be made available upon request.

[1] [1] [5] [2]

Maintenance and Cleaning

All PPE must be kept clean and properly maintained.
PPE should be inspected, cleaned, and maintained at regular intervals to ensure it provides the necessary protection.
Contaminated PPE that cannot be decontaminated must be disposed of properly to protect employees from exposure to hazards.

[7] [7] [7] Conclusion

Adherence to these PPE requirements and safety measures is essential for minimizing risks and ensuring a safe working environment during the testing and inspection of post-tensioning cables. Regular training, inspections, and proper maintenance of PPE are critical components of a comprehensive safety program.