• Codes
  • Features

    Features Overview

    Go to features
    Reference

    Reference.

    A reliable and up-to-date source of codes.
    Research

    Research.

    Rapidly and efficiently calculate project parameters.
    Collaboration

    Collaboration.

    Get everyone on the same page and streamline code research.
    Workflows
    Architects General Contractor Building Official & Plans Examiner Inspectors Owner Subcontractors Code Consultants
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • Sign Up
Sign Up
Login
  • Code Library
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • About
  • Careers
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Sign Up
Upgrade to Premium
Code calculators: Code Calculators automatically generates a detailed list of requirements.
REFERENCE
Amendment Styling
Industry-leading search
Suggested code sections
Code diagrams
RESEARCH
Code calculators
Filter by topic
Code compare
Code sheet exports
COLLABORATION
Team projects
Bookmarks
Comments
START 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL
Have an account? Sign in
// CODE SNIPPET

Subpart V App D - Methods of Inspecting and Testing Wood Poles

OSHA 1926 Construction > V Electric Power Transmission and Distribution > V App D - Methods of Inspecting and Testing Wood Poles
JUMP TO FULL CODE CHAPTER
  1. Introduction

    When employees are to perform work on a wood pole, it is important to determine the condition of the pole before employees climb it. The weight of the employee, the weight of equipment to be installed, and other working stresses (such as the removal or retensioning of conductors) can lead to the failure of a defective pole or a pole that is not designed to handle the additional stresses. 1 For these reasons, it is essential that, before an employee climbs a wood pole, the employer ascertain that the pole is capable of sustaining the stresses of the work. The determination that the pole is capable of sustaining these stresses includes an inspection of the condition of the pole.

    1 A properly guyed pole in good condition should, at a minimum, be able to handle the weight of an employee climbing it.

    If the employer finds the pole to be unsafe to climb or to work from, the employer must secure the pole so that it does not fail while an employee is on it. The employer can secure the pole by a line truck boom, by ropes or guys, or by lashing a new pole alongside it. If a new one is lashed alongside the defective pole, employees should work from the new one.
  2. Inspecting Wood Poles

    A qualified employee should inspect wood poles for the following conditions: 2

    2 The presence of any of these conditions is an indication that the pole may not be safe to climb or to work from. The employee performing the inspection must be qualified to make a determination as to whether it is safe to perform the work without taking additional precautions.

    1. General condition. Buckling at the ground line or an unusual angle with respect to the ground may indicate that the pole has rotted or is broken.
    2. Cracks. Horizontal cracks perpendicular to the grain of the wood may weaken the pole. Vertical cracks, although not normally considered to be a sign of a defective pole, can pose a hazard to the climber, and the employee should keep his or her gaffs away from them while climbing.
    3. Holes. Hollow spots and woodpecker holes can reduce the strength of a wood pole.
    4. Shell rot and decay. Rotting and decay are cutout hazards and possible indications of the age and internal condition of the pole.
    5. Knots. One large knot or several smaller ones at the same height on the pole may be evidence of a weak point on the pole.
    6. Depth of setting. Evidence of the existence of a former ground line substantially above the existing ground level may be an indication that the pole is no longer buried to a sufficient depth.
    7. Soil conditions. Soft, wet, or loose soil around the base of the pole may indicate that the pole will not support any change in stress.
    8. Burn marks. Burning from transformer failures or conductor faults could damage the pole so that it cannot withstand changes in mechanical stress.
  3. Testing Wood Poles

    The following tests, which are from § 1910.268(n)(3) of this chapter, are acceptable methods of testing wood poles:

    1. Hammer test. Rap the pole sharply with a hammer weighing about 1.4 kg (3 pounds), starting near the ground line and continuing upwards circumferentially around the pole to a height of approximately 1.8 meters (6 feet). The hammer will produce a clear sound and rebound sharply when striking sound wood. Decay pockets will be indicated by a dull sound or a less pronounced hammer rebound. Also, prod the pole as near the ground line as possible using a pole prod or a screwdriver with a blade at least 127 millimeters (5 inches) long. If substantial decay is present, the pole is unsafe.
    2. Rocking test. Apply a horizontal force to the pole and attempt to rock it back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the line. Exercise caution to avoid causing power lines to swing together. Apply the force to the pole either by pushing it with a pike pole or pulling the pole with a rope. If the pole cracks during the test, it is unsafe.

[79 FR 20736, July 10, 2014]

Related Code Sections


Subpart V Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, App D - Methods of Inspecting and Testing Wood Poles
methods of testing wood poles: Hammer test . Rap the pole sharply with a hammer weighing about 1.4 kg (3 pounds), starting near the ground line ...
OSHA 1926 Construction > V Electric Power Transmission and Distribution > V App D - Methods of Inspecting and Testing Wood Poles
Subpart L Scaffolds, App A - Scaffold Specifications
for which no specific guidelines or tables are given in this appendix (e.g., joints, ties, components for wood pole scaffolds more than 60 feet ...
OSHA 1926 Construction > L Scaffolds > L App A - Scaffold Specifications
Subpart P Excavations, App A - Soil Classification
in paragraph (d) below, or in other recognized methods of soil classification and testing such as those adopted by the America Society for Testing Materials ...
OSHA 1926 Construction > P Excavations > P App A - Soil Classification
Subpart Q Concrete and Masonry Construction, App A - References to Subpart Q of Part 1926
Formwork (ACI 347-78). Safety Requirements for Concrete and Masonry Work (ANSI A10.9-1983). Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength ...
OSHA 1926 Construction > Q Concrete and Masonry Construction > Q App A - References to Subpart Q of Part 1926
Subpart X Stairways and Ladders, App A - Ladders
the requirements of § 1926.1053(a)(1): Manufactured portable wood ladders: American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A14.1-1982 - American ...
OSHA 1926 Construction > X Stairways and Ladders > X App A - Ladders
Help Contact Us Privacy Terms
Shared projects
Shared projects
Projects provide a dedicated space to collaborate on code research.
Code Calculators
Code Calculators
Code calculators automatically generate a detailed list of requirements.
Code sheet exports
Code sheet exports
Generate a code sheet that integrates with your drawing set.
Code Compare
Code Compare
Highlight differences between any two building codes.
Code diagrams
Code diagrams
Unpack the code through illustrations and descriptions.
Search
Search
Don't miss relevant code. Quickly locate sections across your jurisdiction.
UpCodes Premium
Leverage the most sophisticated code compliance platform.
TRY FREE FOR TWO WEEKS VISIT PRICING
UpCodes Premium
Leverage the full code compliance platform.
START 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL LEARN MORE