Working near overhead power lines - Exterior cleaners health & safety

Here is a complete list of learning resources to better educate yourself when working near overhead power lines

There have been multiple recorded cases where window cleaners have made contact with overhead power lines and the outcome of these horrific events could of been mitigated

Below is a one stop shop of learning resources which can prevent another unnecessary tragic accident or death within our trade !

(LOOK OUT & LOOK UP)

1, https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/userfiles/file/GS6_4th_edition.pdf
2,

Working and Safety with Overhead Powerlines

Safety considerations for overhead powerlines Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Avoiding Electrocution Accidents

www.sheilds.org

3,

https://www.energynetworks.org/campaigns/look-out-look-up

4,

Types of power line | Cambridge Land Consultants

What are the different types of pylon and power line found in the UK? We provide images and descriptions of the variety of power lines that exist in the United Kingdom.

www.cambridgelandconsultants.com

 

[doce]

They’ll be concerned about any potential risk of legal action for sure! Back covering on advice of lawyers.

 

[AW Services]

Just received this from Spinaclean, only had their carbon fibre poles for about 6 years and it's the 1st time they've warned me, not that I needed warning, but they must be concerned

I think it's a quick desperate attempt to mitigate liability or blame vs common sense. However they made the effort at least

 

[Part Timer]

I think it's a quick desperate attempt to mitigate liability or blame vs common sense. However they made the effort at least

Do any other suppliers put this flyer in though

 

[ched999uk]

I spotted an Ionoics advert for their new anti spin pole and it says it's insulated to 1000v which isn't a lot but I assume the uninsulated cables that go from pole to peoples houses is 230v so should be OK.
Gardiners list their slx poles as having the bottom section as insulated to 10,000v so safer to use between pole to peoples houses but still not rated for pre transformer and uninsulated overhead cables on poles which I think can be upto 11,000v.

 

[AW Services]

Most of the big players in WFP manufacturing do their best however its only the base pole section that's insulated GRP but accidents happen. If you have a job where you need to lower your pole 90% of us are gripping section two or three to retract it. This is where many of the serious accidents or deaths has stemmed from

Clipping a power line on the way up or down.

We need to remember this basic phrase "all poles can kill you"
Do not rely on a sticker saying saying the bottom section is insulated

All you need is a power line with a breakdown in it's insulation or to hit a live bare conductor in a street.

You may think you are quick with your go tubeless kits and 1000mph power reels but slow down, look around you and look up

We can't afford to have HSE shut down our trade due to carelessness or ignorance

 

[AW Services]

Dear fellow cleaners

My friend Dave - Squeaky clean dave has been granted the opportunity to speak exclusively with the family of Jason Knight

The young window cleaner who was sadly and brutally electrocuted by a high voltage power line.

Please watch both of these videos and learn how to keep yourself alive and and injury free.

Jason has gone from being a healthy window cleaner to now being disabled


NOTE:
Gardiner Pole Systems are in no way responsible for this tragic outcome and the company / Alex have done everything they can to support the family through this awful & life changing time.
There is nothing inferior about the poles you may own & use

I'd appreciate it if everyone could share these videos through your own social media pages to ensure the message gets to everyone.







Many thanks
Austin

 

[Scrubsy]

@AW Services thanks very much for sharing this Austin. Will give it a watch.

 

[AW Services]

I've had this in my arsenal for quite a few years as I fly drones commercially for photography & video work I also do and I use this alongside NOTAMS and drone safe when planning future work away from commercial cleaning



please do not take this as "I'm now safe" but use it to increase awareness and educate yourself, your family and others to the immediate dangers of overhead lines in your local vicinity

do not change any of the presets / search parameters unless you are planning work on a solar PV farm as this will highlight grid connections

open the map and zoom into a chosen area such as home or the streets in which you carry out your business and you should see nearly all of the overhead HV lines from poles to pylons
10KV & UPWARDS


please remember, this isnt making you or your work safer but expanding your knowledge and awareness to the extreme risks in society

Open Infrastructure Map

Map of the world's electricity, telecoms, oil, and gas infrastructure, using data from OpenStreetMap

openinframap.org

Austin powers ️

 

[DansClearView]

Some advice on this one appreciated please. It's a bi-monthly, side and rear windows a good 6ft from where the cable joins the house (it is electric according to the pole in the garden).
Do I concentrate on ground floor and ignore the 2 first floor windows near it?
Apparently a wfp cleaner used to do them for some time previously (I know the fella and he has legitimately retired due to health).
Annoyingly the windows in close proximity are the ones with outstanding views across the valley.

 

[Pjj]

Some advice on this one appreciated please. It's a bi-monthly, side and rear windows a good 6ft from where the cable joins the house (it is electric according to the pole in the garden).
Do I concentrate on ground floor and ignore the 2 first floor windows near it?
Apparently a wfp cleaner used to do them for some time previously (I know the fella and he has legitimately retired due to health).
Annoyingly the windows in close proximity are the ones with outstanding views across the valley.
View attachment 30543

They don’t look like mains electric cables look like phone lines or data cable, if it’s mains electric it should have a brown or clear ceramic insulator disk on the bracket supporting the cable

 

[ched999uk]

There are 2 insulators, 1 on the wall another via a connector.

If in any doubt steering clear is the safer option.

@AW Services might have better idea.

 

[THL4KEL]

Use a pole that is insulated on the base section. Carefully clean the windows and lower the pole to the ground. Once it's on the ground close the sections as they are not insulated like the base section is if your using Gardiners poles, so your well away from any live wires.

Ideally use a univalve to reduce water usage and mist as well.

These look like phone lines.

 

[Pjj]

There are 2 insulators, 1 on the wall another via a connector.

If in any doubt steering clear is the safer option.

@AW Services might have better idea.

Looking at it again I think you could be right , normally they are much bigger than that must be very old , should never be allowed in this day and age just imagine decorating the house ! The rest are phone lines .

 

[AW Services]

Some advice on this one appreciated please. It's a bi-monthly, side and rear windows a good 6ft from where the cable joins the house (it is electric according to the pole in the garden).
Do I concentrate on ground floor and ignore the 2 first floor windows near it?
Apparently a wfp cleaner used to do them for some time previously (I know the fella and he has legitimately retired due to health).
Annoyingly the windows in close proximity are the ones with outstanding views across the valley.
View attachment 30543

Carry on. It's 240v armoured insulated mains with a load of scabby phone lines

 

[AW Services]

Use a pole that is insulated on the base section. Carefully clean the windows and lower the pole to the ground. Once it's on the ground close the sections as they are not insulated like the base section is if your using Gardiners poles, so your well away from any live wires.

Ideally use a univalve to reduce water usage and mist as well.

These look like phone lines.

There is a 240v armoured insulated mains supply which is denoted by old ceramic insulators and a phone lines

 

[DansClearView]

Thank you all

 

[Jamesmarshall]

It’s nowhere near man what’s up with ya the one that’s closer is a good 2 foot away the other one is a bus ride away

 

[Bell Pallisey]

once saw an electric guy on the ground holding a long pole rod that touched onto the overhead wires.What he was doing iv no idea

 

[AW Services]

once saw an electric guy on the ground holding a long pole rod that touched onto the overhead wires.What he was doing iv no idea

Minimum height tests, clearance for low loader

 

[AW Services]

It’s nowhere near man what’s up with ya the one that’s closer is a good 2 foot away the other one is a bus ride away

Let's not mock someone for being concerned and cautious