PRACTICE STATEMENT:

Protocols related to effective use of insulating rubber gloves and sleeves.

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION:

1. When employees are working on energized circuits or equipment using the rubber glove method, insulating rubber gloves and sleeves rated for the exposure of the highest nominal voltage shall be worn cradle-to-cradle when working from an aerial platform.
   • Exception-Insulating rubber sleeves are not required when employees are working circuits with a potential of 600 volts or less if there is no upper arm exposure and the worker will not encroach the 5-foot primary zone.
2. Electrical class rating of the insulating rubber sleeves shall meet or exceed the electrical class rating of the insulating rubber gloves when working on primary conductors.
3. Company policies shall apply when the above conditions cannot be met. Alternative work methods ensuring worker safety shall be identified, communicated to all affected workers, implemented and documented as part of the Job Briefing process.

BENEFITS:

• Provides specific use requirements that are proven methods for reducing electrical contact injuries and fatalities.
• Provides for uniform use guidelines that can be applied industry wide.

DEFINITIONS

Effective Cover Up is used to describe the installation of phase-to- phase rated insulating protective cover on energized conductors and/or equipment of different potentials when the lineman is within reaching distance or in areas extended by handling conductive objects.

Extended Reach is used to describe being within five feet of energized conductors and/or equipment or having a conductive object within five feet of energized conductors and/or equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions Cradle to Cradle Gloves & Sleeves

1. Can I swing the bucket out of the energized zone and remove Gloves and Sleeves in order to drink water, take a break, etc.?
   • No.  The upper boom section shall be lowered to its lowest possible elevation or be repositioned to the cradle before gloves and sleeves may be removed.
2. Are there instances when gloves and sleeves may be removed when working in a bucket (cradle to cradle)? 
   • Yes, examples include:
     • The upper boom section has been lowered to its lowest possible elevation or when the bucket has been repositioned to the cradle.
     • When the circuit has been de-energized, grounded and an EPZ has been established.
     • Refer to company policies for specific work procedures (i.e. terminations).
3. When ascending to perform work on a transmission line with energized under build, do I need gloves and sleeves while moving past the energized under build?
   • No, as long as the 5 ft. primary zone is not encroached.