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Steel Distribution Poles
Energized Distribution Systems - Safe Work Practices
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 2
TABLE OF FIGURES................................................................................................................................................. 2
SEGMENT 1: STEEL POLES AS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM STRUCTURES ............................................................ 4
1.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF STEEL POLES ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 STEEL POLES COMPARED TO WOODEN POLES ...................................................................................................... 6
SEGMENT 2: JOINING MULTIPLE-SECTION STEEL POLES ............................................................................ 11
2.1 MATING STEEL POLE SECTIONS IN THE FIELD .................................................................................................... 12
2.2 RIGGING OPTIONS FOR MATING STEEL POLE SECTIONS .................................................................................... 14
SEGMENT 3: FRAMING AND SETTING STEEL POLES – DE-ENERGIZED........................................................ 17
3.1 JOB PLANNING AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ................................................................................ 18
3.2 FRAMING THE STEEL POLE ..................................................................................................................................... 19
3.3 SETTING THE STEEL POLE – DIRECT EMBEDMENT ............................................................................................ 23
3.4 GROUNDING A STEEL POLE ..................................................................................................................................... 27
SEGMENT 4: CLIMBING STEEL POLES ............................................................................................................ 33
4.1 CLIMBING GEAR ........................................................................................................................................................ 33
4.2 STEEL POLE STEPS ................................................................................................................................................... 34
4.3 STEEL POLE CLIMBING PRACTICES ........................................................................................................................ 36
SEGMENT 5: ENERGIZED LINE WORK, PART 1............................................................................................. 38
5.1 WORKING IN AN ENERGIZED ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................ 38
SEGMENT 6: ENERGIZED LINE WORK, PART 2............................................................................................. 43
SEGMENT 7: ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................... 52
7.1 BASIC INSULATION LEVEL (BIL) ...................................................................................................................... 52
Table of Figures
Figure 1-1: Typical Steel Distribution Pole ................................................................................ 5
Figure 1-2: Polyurethane Coating ............................................................................................... 5
Figure 1-3: Steel Pole Manufacturing Process............................................................................ 6
Figure 1-4: Wood Poles - Each Different. Steel Poles are Consistent from Pole to Pole .......... 6
Figure 1-5: Crewmembers Team up to Carry a Steel Distribution Pole ..................................... 7
Figure 1-6: Steel Poles are Transported More Easily than Wooden Poles .................................. 8
Figure 1-7: Recommended Storage Practices for Steel Poles ..................................................... 9
Figure 2-1: Example of Multiple-Section Pole using a Slip Joint to Mate the Two Sections .. 11
Figure 2-2: Pre-Job or "Tailgate" Meeting Being Conducted ................................................... 12
Figure 2-3: The Crew Lays out Sections of the Pole on the Ground ........................................ 13
Figure 2-4: Typical Ratchet Chain Hoist .................................................................................. 14
Figure 2-5: Mating the Two Steel Pole Sections Together using Ratchet Chain Hoists ........... 15
Figure 3-1: Job Site Accessible by Digger Derrick .................................................................. 17
Figure 3-2: Pre-Job or "Tailgate" Meeting ................................................................................ 18
Figure 3-3: Pole Framed out on the Ground ............................................................................. 19
Figure 3-4: Workers Installing an FRP Crossarm ..................................................................... 20
Figure 3-5: Crewman Tightening Bolt “Snug Tight”................................................................ 21
Figure 3-6: "Christmas Tree" Drill Bit ...................................................................................... 21
Figure 3-7: Lineworker Marking the First Hole to be Drilled .................................................. 22
Steel Market Development Institute
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Energized Distribution Systems – Safe Work Practices
Figure 3-8: Lineworkers Marking the Second Hole Using the “String” Method ..................... 22
Figure 3-9: Crew Digs the Hole for the Steel Pole Direct Embedment using Digger Derrick . 24
Figure 3-10: Rigging the Steel Pole for Lifting ........................................................................ 25
Figure 3-11: Digger Operator and Ground Worker Maneuvering Pole .................................... 25
Figure 3-12: Crewmen Tamping Backfill Around Pole Base ................................................... 26
Figure 3-13: Steel Pole Being Carried by a Remote-Controlled Mini-Derrick ........................ 27
Figure 3-14: Grounding Nut ..................................................................................................... 28
Figure 3-15: Pole Base Ground Lead........................................................................................ 28
Figure 3-16: Insulating Pole Guard Applied to the Steel Pole .................................................. 30
Figure 3-17: Protected Worker Maneuvering the Pole ............................................................. 31
Figure 4-2: Flanged Bolt Placement ......................................................................................... 34
Figure 4-3: Worker Placing Step Over the Flange of the Bolt Head ........................................ 35
Figure 4-4: Climber Installing Steps as He Climbs .................................................................. 35
Figure 4-5: Steel Pole Work Platform ....................................................................................... 36
Figure 5-1: Typical Electrocution Hazard Warning .................................................................. 38
Figure 5-2: Lineworker Putting on Insulating PPE................................................................... 39
Figure 5-3: Crewmember Inspecting Insulating Gear Prior to Use .......................................... 40
Figure 5-4: Lineworkers Installing the Insulating Cover Gear ................................................. 41
Figure 5-5: Qualified Observer Watching Carefully ................................................................. 42
Figure 6-1: Lineworkers Inspecting the Insulating PPE and Cover Gear ................................. 43
Figure 6-2: Transformer Completely Disconnected From the Energized System .................... 44
Figure 6-3: Rigging Block and Tackle on a Steel Pole ............................................................. 45
Figure 6-4: Rigging the Transformer on the Pole ..................................................................... 46
Figure 6-5: New Transformer Prepared for Hoisting and Installation ...................................... 47
Figure 6-6: Mounted New Transformer .................................................................................... 48
Figure 6-7: Closing in the Cut-Out Switch ............................................................................... 50
Figure 7-1: Common Steel Structures Found in the Electrical System .................................... 52
Figure 7-2: Typical Pole Top Fiberglass Crossarm / Center Phase Pin Configuration ............. 53
Figure 7-3: Typical H-Frame Steel Transmission Structure ..................................................... 54
The material presented in the workbook has been developed by the Steel Market Development Institute, a business unit of the
American Iron and Steel Institute, working in concert with T&D PowerSkills, LLC. These organizations have made a diligent effort to
present accurate, reliable, and useful information regarding the use of steel distribution poles. We believe that the material presented
in the video reasonably reflects the present state of knowledge as to the subject, as it is generally known, but we do not warrant this
or claim that such material is entirely accurate or complete. And we do not accept any obligation to issue supplements to or
corrections of the material in the event of errors being discovered or advances being made in the techniques discussed in the
material. Thus, all users of the material should have the assistance of, and rely on, their own experts in the design, construction and
maintenance of steel distribution poles.
The material presented in this workbook is for general information only. It is not a substitute for competent professional advice.
Persons making use of the information set forth herein do so at their own risk and assume any and all liability.
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