Telecommunication issues

[TMW]

We are having some issues/discussions with telecommunication line owners about working around their lines. Specifically they are unwilling to move their lines out of the way for us to do required work in trees. They have told us to move them ourselves, or cut them.

We have told them that it is a violation of various standards if we did this, and we will not. They have stated that it isn't a big deal as it is low voltage and they do not even provide gloves for their workers to handle the energized lines. When we have pressed them about this, they have threatened to hire other contractors who will move/contact the lines.

My question from the compliance side of things is, what rules apply and what can we do so we can work safely around all energized lines, including telecommunication lines...without losing contracts?

My question from the tree care industry side of things is; is this an issue with anyone else? If so, do we need to do something as a group to force the telecommunication people to do their jobs (as I see it) and not put our people at risk?

Thanks,

TMW

 

[Zac]

We don't even bother calling for phone and cable line drops, they wouldn't come out. If we can, we take them off the house and lay them down, placing plywood on top.


Interesting point Tim.... If you cut/break the lines who has to fix them?

 

[TMW]

Some of the phone companies have said that we should break them and they will fix them.

It is a violation of ANSI Z133.1, CFR 1910.268, .269, and .333 to contact any energized conductor less than 0.3 kV.

Which means that we can't take them off of the houses or poles, or touch them, or...we can't lift the lines with a pole saw either.

 

[Colin]

We TD those lines all the time. I hate climbing a pole.

 

[FJR]

Hey everyone this is my first post here!

I completely understand what you are saying about the telecommunication companies doing their job, but like others already said we too often take it into out own hands. Usually by removing them from the house. If we have damaged the lines they have fixed them at no charge.

 

[Kevin]

The manager that's telling you to work on their plant is opening the company up to huge liabilities if someone gets hurt.
Your insurance may not cover you if something happens.
We just had two contractors killed in a confined space and our company was guilty on seven counts, I don't know what charges were laid against the contracting company.
We have a contract with these people that they sign off on and it didn't help.