Training Second Point of Contact
The second point of contact is common terminology that is utilized industry wide when discussing energized work methods, such as rubber gloving or hot sticking. Ignoring the hazards of the second point of contact is the primary contributor to electrical contacts while working with rubber gloves or hot sticks.
A study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety from 1982 to 1994 indicated that many occupational electrocutions during that time frame occurred due to lack of protection against the second point of contact. Yet, if one types “second point of contact” on Google, nothing of relevance pops up no matter how many different ways it is worded. Northwest Lineman College research reveals that the second point of contact is regularly addressed and discussed, but the actual verbiage, “second point of contact,” is rarely found in safety manuals.
Some utilities define the second point of contact as the point at which current leaves the body in the event that inadvertent contact is made between exposed live conductors or apparatus and an unprotected part of the body. In addition, no electrical accident occurs without a second point of contact. This definition may imply that the accident has already occurred. Therefore, it is important for the worker to identify the second point of contact so that measures can be taken to protect against it and prevent an accident.
The second point of contact exists when there are two exposed objects of different potential within immediate reach of a worker. Although electrocutions may result from phase-to-ground or phase-to-phase contact, electrical contacts typically involve simultaneous contact with an energized conductor and items such as a guy wire, cross arm brace, cut out brackets, transformer cases, or any items that are not the same potential as the conductor. In many cases, electrocutions tend to occur when lineworkers violate minimum approach distance regulations by removing their gloves to work on parts of the structure while positioned dangerously close to an exposed energized conductor.
To protect against the second point of contact, it must first be identified. To assist in identifying the second point of contact, lineworkers can ask themselves the following questions:
• Are there one or more objects of different potential within reaching distance of the object I am working on?
• Are those objects adequately covered with approved rubber protective equipment?
• Am I complying with the minimum approach distance regulations?
If all of the above questions can be answered “yes,” then the worker should be adequately protected from the second point of contact; however, special precaution must always be taken when working in that environment. Another approach that can be taken to protect against the second point of contact is for the lineworker to be proactive when applying the cover by simply adding more cover whenever there is any question. This practice means that the lineworker is taking a few extra seconds to create a safer work environment.
Many companies require their employees to wear rubber gloves and sleeves from cradle to cradle when using an aerial lift, or simply stated, from ground to ground in any case. Others require gloves and sleeves to be worn within extended reach of exposed energized conductors or equipment.
OSHA defines extended reach as being within five feet of energized conductors and/or equipment, or having a conductive object, such as a wrench or other tool in hand, within five feet of energized conductors and/or equipment.
Northwest Lineman College’s Utility Training Services Department delivers training in rubber glove techniques throughout the United States and abroad. Experience has shown that lineworkers who have employed hot stick methods during most of their careers are not as aware of the concept of the second point of contact due to the proximity of the worker to the exposed energized conductor in a hot stick environment. This typically results in less cover when working in a rubber glove environment, leaving the second points of contact exposed.
Once the lineworkers perform the same tasks with rubber gloves, the second points of contact become much more noticeable. Lineworkers must learn that the second points of contact must be adequately covered before exposing the portion of the conductor that will be worked. This practice ensures that only one potential is exposed within their immediate work area, thereby eliminating the second point of contact.
It is extremely important to emphasize the value of extensive training in regards to energized work methods. Northwest Lineman College’s Utility Training Services Department delivers rubber glove training that is customized to companies’ systems, methods, rules and regulations. Doing so requires extensive research of federal, state, and company regulations.
This research reveals that these companies have slight differences in their rules governing rubber glove practices, but they typically meet or exceed federal or state OSHA regulations. However, they all must apply the three main principles of rubber gloving, which are: insulate, isolate, and protect against the second point of contact. When these principles are properly applied, the likelihood of an accident can be significantly reduced. iP
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