POTOMAC SAFETY ALERT

POTOMAC SAFETY ALERT 

On Monday October 30, an FTTP line crew came across an energized street light fixture. By following the Verizon Safety Procedures and Practices, certain injury was averted. 

Taking action to address a current partial squirrel damage to FTTP cable on Jennings Rd. in the Severna Park Wirecenter, the job had been given to Marty Conway for his crew to hang a piece of innerduct and to place the new fiber in preparation for a section cut.

While one crew had tested P4 and found it safe, they proceeded to set up for the innerduct placement. While that was taking place, Calvin Flemming and Mike Chagnon were de-lashing the damaged fiber cable working towards P5 Jennings Rd. using a T-40. The strand tested OK. Upon reaching P5 Jennings Rd, and having a street light bracket within 12" of our strand, Calvin tested it with a 188A tool. He got a red reading. The strand and multi-ground neutral (MGN) still tested OK. Calvin asked Mike to re-test. Mike re-tested and confirmed the red reading on the bracket and a green reading on the MGN.

He then used the W1BU cord and protective cap to test for induction. He still got a red reading on the bracket. Based on a visual inspection, prior power company employment, and believing it was still excessive induction, Mike then put on his protective rubber gloves and proceeded to connect the B-bond to the MGN first and then to the street light bracket.  While attaching to the street light bracket, he observed an electrical arc and did not complete the attachment.

At that time he called Marty Conway, who in turn called the supervisor.  The Supervisor instructed the crew to  cone and tape off around the bottom of the pole. After meeting on site and going over what had occurred,  the supervisor dispatched the crew to other work, leaving the pole coned and taped off.  He then called BGE to report the condition. 

The supervisor was told by BGE that within 24 hrs they would have someone do a safety inspection. By 4pm that same afternoon, BGE confirmed that the neutral and hot wires were spliced together when the fixture was placed some time ago.  BGE re-wired the fixture and corrected the unsafe condition. 

Bottom Line:  Our Safety Training really works.  Everyday, our work appears to be quite routine and safe.  In fact, it is to the contrary.  Everyday our technicians work in a hazardous environment where our safety practices and procedures protect them and the public.