Mandatory 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 considers potential hazards and aims to ensure regulatory compliance to minimize risks to personnel. Post-tensioning operations involve stressing reinforced concrete by tensioning tendons after the concrete has hardened. These operations present various hazards that necessitate the use of appropriate PPE.

General PPE Requirements

Head Protection: Hard hats are essential to protect against head injuries from falling objects or accidental impact.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses or goggles are necessary to protect against dust, debris, or accidental splashes during cable handling and testing.
Hand Protection: Gloves appropriate for the task are required. These may include:
Leather Gloves: For general handling of cables and equipment to protect against cuts and abrasions.
Insulating Gloves: When working with or near electrical components, insulating gloves that meet specific voltage requirements are mandatory. These gloves must be tested and certified according to standards such as those outlined in Table I-6, Rubber Insulating Equipment Voltage Requirements, ensuring they are suitable for the maximum use voltage. 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.
Foot Protection: Safety shoes or boots with steel toes are necessary to protect against foot injuries from heavy cables or equipment.
High-Visibility Apparel: Workers should wear high-visibility vests or clothing to ensure they are easily seen by equipment operators and other personnel, especially in low-light conditions or areas with heavy machinery traffic.
Fall Protection: When working at heights above 6 feet, a personal fall arrest system is required. Personal fall arrest systems shall meet the requirements of subpart M of this part.
Hearing Protection: If the noise levels during testing or handling exceed permissible exposure limits, hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs) must be worn.

Specific PPE Considerations for Electrical Hazards

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.
Voltage Rated Tools: Use tools that are appropriately insulated and rated for the voltage levels encountered during cable testing. Inspect tools regularly for damage.
Arc-Rated Clothing: In situations where there is a potential for arc flash, wear flame-resistant and arc-rated clothing to protect against burns.

PPE for Overhead Line Work

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.
Fall Protection: Safety belts and straps shall be provided and the employer shall ensure their use when work is performed at positions more than 4 feet above ground, on poles, and on towers, except as provided in paragraphs (n)(7) [Outside Work Platforms] and (n)(8) [Other Elevated Locations] of this section. No safety belts, safety straps or lanyards acquired after July 1, 1975 may be used unless they meet the tests set forth in paragraph (g)(2) [Telecommunication Lineman 's Body Belts, Safety Straps, and Lanyards] of this section. The employer shall ensure that all safety belts and straps are inspected by a competent person prior to each day's use to determine that they are in safe working condition.

Additional Safety Measures and Considerations

Competent Person Inspections: 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 insure 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. When attaching grounds (bonds), the first attachment shall be made to the protective ground. When removing bonds, the connection to the line or equipment shall be removed first. Insulating gloves shall be worn during these operations.
Barricades and Signage: Ensure that the stressing area is clearly marked with signs and barricades to restrict access to essential personnel only. The controlling contractor shall ensure signs and barricades are erected to limit access into the stressing area only to personnel engaged in stressing or de-tensioning operations.
Emergency Preparedness: A person with basic first aid training shall be immediately available to render assistance if there is cause for believing that a safety hazard exists.

Table I-6 - Rubber Insulating Equipment Voltage Requirements

Class of equipment	Maximum use voltage¹ AC - rms	Retest voltage² AC - rms	Retest voltage² DC - avg
00	500	2,500	10,000
0	1,000	5,000	20,000
1	7,500	10,000	40,000
2	17,000	20,000	50,000
3	26,500	30,000	60,000
4	36,000	40,000	70,000

Note: The maximum use voltage is the a-c voltage (rms) classification of the protective equipment that designates the maximum nominal design voltage of the energized system that may be safely worked. The nominal design voltage is equal to the phase-to-phase voltage on multiphase circuits. However, the phase- to-ground potential is considered to be the nominal design voltage if: (1) There is no multiphase exposure in a system area and if the voltage exposure is limited to the phase-to-ground potential, or (2) The electrical equipment and devices are insulated or isolated or both so that the multiphase exposure on a grounded wye circuit is removed.

Disclaimer: This information is intended as a general guide and should be supplemented with a thorough hazard assessment and specific training tailored to the worksite conditions and equipment being used. Always consult applicable regulations and manufacturer's recommendations.