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 ️