Basic Electrical Awareness

[Andy Collins]

Heard yet another tale of ignorance today. I'm not going to relate the story here, but it involves the total lack of knowledge re: electricity and trees. I am tiring fast of hearing this. Is it not time that it is included (at a basic level) in climbing tuition? To not be able to i.d. electrical cables to me is playing with fire, and sooner or later someone will be killed simply through lack of knowledge. The pressures of the recession mean that some bosses are pushing staff to take totally unnecessary risks, oblivious to the hazards.

I really feel this needs addressing, sooner rather than later.

[Mesterh]

We had electrical awareness when in college 15 years ago.

[Mozza]

I agree Andy, i think it should be touched on in cs38/39 training, Only briefly but enough to make people aware.

 

Some of the videos the trainer showed me when i was doing my Electrical Arb ticket would be enough to make anyone aware of the danger of electricity, Maybe they could do half an hour showing them!!

[Treeworld]

Very good post, it is essential that all hazards especially electricity can be id'ed correctly and dealt with. Still a lot can be oblivious to them if not really looking out for them, I can see how it can be overlooked.An electrical injury, if survived, is not worth the risk IMO.

[Mark Bolam]

Great post.

 

Old employer used to have me rubbing my back on 'insulated' cables.

 

Not worth the risk (death or cost of damaged cables) IMO.

 

Educate everyone, and leave the elec-trickery stuff to the people who are trained for it. And may God protect them!

[penfold]

I agree Andy, i think it should be touched on in cs38/39 training, Only briefly but enough to make people aware.

 

mozza, it should be touched upon at cs31 and also in the climbing with a rope and harness course. Electricity is nasty stuff, you can't see, taste, hear or feel it until it's too late. as mark said leave it to the lads who know what's what if you're not sure.

[Andy Collins]

Given the call I had yesterday, there are gaping holes in peoples understanding of electricity proximities. I know it was covered at length on this forum, but unbelievably there are still some who dont frequent Arbtalk:ohmy: Not only do I feel the climbers and staff should understand the dangers, but also the person doing the pricing. Company owners must ensure the safety of their staff, expecting them to take unnecessary risks is not good enough, however tight the competition.

[Bald Monkey]

Just done the UA1 course and I can't believe how much I wasn't aware of before it. I've got the assessment next friday and I think its going to be the toughest to pass so far (I've already got 30,31,38,39 and chipper). I'm glad I've taken the course and its really opened my eyes to the other dangers out there. Like you say this should definitely be included at a basic level in the climbing and felling units.

[Ross Turner]

By rights a normal tree contractors are not meant to work on any tree with in falling distance of any overhead powerlines.

If you look at a job & its closer all you have to do is get intouch with the DNO/REC & they will make dead said area so the work can be carried out safely at no cost to yourself.

I have known normal tree contractors to use line clearance teams to get the trees out of the proximity zone to make safe then they finish the job.This way they get the full price of the job as the line clearance time justbills the DNO.

 

But here are a few safety distances for you.

upto 1000Kv 1m vicinty zone

upto & including 11Kv 2m vicintity zone

[Stephen Blair]

what about railway, the big sucker that runs along the back of the stantions. i am always getting asked to cut back folks gardens that are next to railways. they tell me it is only on when the train is coming. i never go near the things. did it once, i was about 3m away. i was bricking it. never again.