Dear All,
Currently, insulated scaffolding made of fiberglass is available in the market. This type of scaffolding is primarily used at substations.
I have a concern: we do not permit any work in high voltage areas under live conditions. For any task at the substation, we ensure 100% isolation of all incoming and outgoing energy sources and 100% grounding before commencing any maintenance work.
Given these precautions, is it possible to use traditional steel tubular scaffolding (tube & coupler) instead of insulated scaffolding?
Please advise.
Thanks in advance.
From India
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730Currently, insulated scaffolding made of fiberglass is available in the market. This type of scaffolding is primarily used at substations.
I have a concern: we do not permit any work in high voltage areas under live conditions. For any task at the substation, we ensure 100% isolation of all incoming and outgoing energy sources and 100% grounding before commencing any maintenance work.
Given these precautions, is it possible to use traditional steel tubular scaffolding (tube & coupler) instead of insulated scaffolding?
Please advise.
Thanks in advance.
From India
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Dear Dipil,
As you know, if we use non-insulated scaffolding on a substation, it should meet OSHA's regulations regarding Overhead Power Lines in the Construction Industry (1926.451(f)(6)). The clearance between scaffolds and power lines should adhere to the following guidelines: Scaffolds must not be erected, used, dismantled, altered, or moved in a way that could bring them or any conductive materials handled on them closer to exposed and energized power lines than specified in 1926.451.
Nowadays, in the market, we can easily obtain insulated equipment for rental, especially for use on substations, such as scaffolds, ladders, cherry pickers, etc. I am not very familiar with your specific query, so we may need to wait for feedback from our seniors.
I hope this information is helpful.
Thank you.
From United States, Fpo
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As you know, if we use non-insulated scaffolding on a substation, it should meet OSHA's regulations regarding Overhead Power Lines in the Construction Industry (1926.451(f)(6)). The clearance between scaffolds and power lines should adhere to the following guidelines: Scaffolds must not be erected, used, dismantled, altered, or moved in a way that could bring them or any conductive materials handled on them closer to exposed and energized power lines than specified in 1926.451.
Nowadays, in the market, we can easily obtain insulated equipment for rental, especially for use on substations, such as scaffolds, ladders, cherry pickers, etc. I am not very familiar with your specific query, so we may need to wait for feedback from our seniors.
I hope this information is helpful.
Thank you.
From United States, Fpo
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Dear Raghu,
Thank you for your input. It's not fully answering my query. However, thanks a lot for your input. Let's wait for senior's comment.
Thanks in advance and looking forward to a positive reply.
From India
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Thank you for your input. It's not fully answering my query. However, thanks a lot for your input. Let's wait for senior's comment.
Thanks in advance and looking forward to a positive reply.
From India
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The advantages of steel tubular scaffolding:
1) Fasteners (particularly its screw) are easy to lose.
2) Node at the pole for the eccentric connection stabilizes force transmission load and internal force, thereby reducing their carrying capacity.
3) The quality of fasteners is impacted by the fastener connecting the node itself, affecting the quality and significantly influencing workers' operations.
So, choose which one is better!
From India, Madras
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1) Fasteners (particularly its screw) are easy to lose.
2) Node at the pole for the eccentric connection stabilizes force transmission load and internal force, thereby reducing their carrying capacity.
3) The quality of fasteners is impacted by the fastener connecting the node itself, affecting the quality and significantly influencing workers' operations.
So, choose which one is better!
From India, Madras
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Hi Dipil,
We may use traditional steel tubular scaffolding, but to ensure all potential sources of energy are isolated, we can put a tag-out lock-out box at the place of isolation. A supervisor must be present to monitor the entire process and possess the keys. They should ensure the flow of energy is not on until the work is complete and all individuals have safely exited the workplace.
Hope this clears up any doubts.
Thank you.
From India, Bhubaneswar
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We may use traditional steel tubular scaffolding, but to ensure all potential sources of energy are isolated, we can put a tag-out lock-out box at the place of isolation. A supervisor must be present to monitor the entire process and possess the keys. They should ensure the flow of energy is not on until the work is complete and all individuals have safely exited the workplace.
Hope this clears up any doubts.
Thank you.
From India, Bhubaneswar
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Dear Dipil,
Before answering your question can you come out with few clarifications?
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Before answering your question can you come out with few clarifications?
- There are light, medium and heavy duty scaffolds. Do manufacturers of fiberglass scaffold materials specify these for heavy duty? “
- If fiberglass scaffold is not meant for heavy duty; what will you use in substations when heavy duty scaffold need be erected there?
- Are you allowing exposed energy in substations while people are working on scaffolds warranting a scaffold of non-conductive material?
- We can use, bamboo, wood and for that matter any suitable materials for scaffolding depending upon type/design. Take the case of Vietnam! They normally use bamboo. We can definitely use fiberglass. However be judicious in selecting the scaffold materials and type of scaffold you erect.
- Scaffolding is a specialization. Let a competent persons take the lead.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Dear Mr. Dipil,
While working, there will be a power shutdown. However, immediately upon completion of work and before the power is switched on, we cannot remove the scaffolding towers, as it will be a time-consuming task. Even if the power is on, we can still remove the scaffolding tower job from the bottom level. This is why the instruction might have been given for the usage of insulated scaffolding materials, especially in power transmission line work.
I must clarify that I am not an engineer or from the safety department. The comments provided are from a layman's perspective. If there are any errors in my response, please do correct me.
Thank you.
From India, Kumbakonam
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While working, there will be a power shutdown. However, immediately upon completion of work and before the power is switched on, we cannot remove the scaffolding towers, as it will be a time-consuming task. Even if the power is on, we can still remove the scaffolding tower job from the bottom level. This is why the instruction might have been given for the usage of insulated scaffolding materials, especially in power transmission line work.
I must clarify that I am not an engineer or from the safety department. The comments provided are from a layman's perspective. If there are any errors in my response, please do correct me.
Thank you.
From India, Kumbakonam
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Dear Kesava Pillai Sir
First of all thanks for showing your interest into the topic and for the participation.
Let me answer your questions:
However with the help of you I learned a lot and looking forward to learn more from you on various topics...
This thread i started as I receive a query on use of insulated scaffolding from one of my counter part... As I not get any quick response from this forum after discussion with few other seniors to whom I personal know, come to a conclusion that Fibreglass Scaffolding is not required to work inside substation... All the work is being carried out in power off condition, hence can use steel scaffolding with 100% isolation...
Hope I rightly suggest, if anything wrong request you to correct...
From India
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First of all thanks for showing your interest into the topic and for the participation.
Let me answer your questions:
- There are light, medium and heavy duty scaffolds. Do manufacturers of fibreglass scaffold materials specify these for heavy duty? = Not having much idea as not yet deal with the scaffolding supplier regarding fiberglass scaffolding.
- If fibreglass scaffold is not meant for heavy duty; what will you use in substations when heavy duty scaffold need be erected there? = I advice my colleague who was working as my counterpart in another same kind of plant to use "Steel Tubular Scaffolding" after ensuring 100 % isolation of all energy sources.
- Are you allowing exposed energy in substations while people are working on scaffolds warranting a scaffold of non-conductive material? = No. But here my doubt arises. Then why this fibreglass scaffolding is referring to use in Sub-stations and other similar places.
- We can use, bamboo, wood and for that matter any suitable materials for scaffolding depending upon type/design. = Not sure.
- Scaffolding is a specialization. Let a competent persons take the lead. = Agree fully with you.
However with the help of you I learned a lot and looking forward to learn more from you on various topics...
This thread i started as I receive a query on use of insulated scaffolding from one of my counter part... As I not get any quick response from this forum after discussion with few other seniors to whom I personal know, come to a conclusion that Fibreglass Scaffolding is not required to work inside substation... All the work is being carried out in power off condition, hence can use steel scaffolding with 100% isolation...
Hope I rightly suggest, if anything wrong request you to correct...
From India
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