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 involved in these operations and references relevant safety regulations and industry standards. The goal is to ensure that all personnel involved are adequately protected from potential injuries and health risks.

General PPE Requirements

Head Protection: Hard hats are essential to protect against head injuries from falling objects, impact, or accidental contact with equipment. Head protection must meet ANSI Z89.2-1971 standards for electrical workers, Class B, especially where there is a risk of high voltage electrical contact.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses, goggles, or face shields are necessary to protect against dust, debris, and chemical splashes. Eye protection should comply with $1910.133 (a)(2) thru (a)(6).
Hand Protection: Gloves are required to protect against cuts, abrasions, and chemical or electrical hazards. Insulating gloves shall be worn during these operations.
Foot Protection: Safety shoes or boots with steel toes protect against foot injuries from heavy objects, punctures, and compression.
Body Protection: Appropriate work clothing should be worn to protect against skin injuries. High-visibility clothing may be required for certain tasks or work environments to ensure the wearer is visible.
Fall Protection: When working at heights above 4 feet, a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is mandatory. This includes a safety harness, lanyard, and a secure anchorage point. Personal fall arrest systems must meet the requirements of subpart M of this part.

Specific PPE Requirements for Post-Tensioning Cable Handling

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.
Overhead Lines: When a pole is set, moved, or removed near an exposed energized overhead conductor, the employer shall ensure that each employee wears electrical protective equipment or uses insulated devices when handling the pole and that no employee contacts the pole with uninsulated parts of his or her body.

PPE for Electrical Safety During Cable Testing

Insulating Gloves: Electrical insulating gloves are crucial when working with or near energized cables. The gloves must be rated for the voltage levels encountered during 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.
Protective Clothing: Flame-resistant clothing may be required if there is a potential for arc flash during electrical testing. Note 1: 437-002-0134 (4) and 437-003-0134 (4) set employer payment obligations for the personal protective equipment required by this rule, including, but not limited to, the fall protection equipment required by paragraph (2) of this rule, the electrical protective equipment required by 437-002-2311(3) of Division 2/RR, and the flame-resistant and arc-rated clothing and other protective equipment required by 437-002-2311(8) of Division 2/RR.
Face Shield: A face shield provides additional protection against arc flash and flying debris.
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.

Additional Safety Measures and Requirements

Competent Person Inspection: Before each day 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 inthis 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.
Qualified Rigger: A qualified rigger (a rigger who is also a qualified person) shall inspect the rigging prior to each shift and the handling of loads shall be in accordance with General Industry Safety Order, Section 4999.

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

[1] 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. [1]

Disclaimer

This PPE guidance is based on current safety regulations and industry best practices. However, it is essential to conduct a thorough risk assessment for each specific task and location to determine the appropriate PPE. Always refer to the latest regulations and consult with safety professionals to ensure full compliance and worker safety.