Testing Before Installing Grounds

DOE-HDBK-1092-98

to bond the conductors provided that these wires are electrically bonded to the structure ground,

either permanently or by personal grounds.

Groundsmen should stay clear (at least 10 feet where feasible) of items such as down guys, ground

rods, maintenance vehicles, and structure legs or ground wires while they are bonded to protective

grounds which are in place. When it is absolutely necessary to work on or near these features,

employees should use bonded conductive or insulated platforms, or approved insulated shoes to

minimize the hazard from step and touch potentials.

7.5.4 TESTING BEFORE INSTALLING GROUNDS

Before grounds are installed, the deenergized line or equipment shall be tested for voltage.

Appropriate testers for the nominal voltage involved (audio or visual) should be used. They shall be

tested immediately before and after use to verify that they are in good working condition. [See 29

CFR 1910.269(n)(5)].

7.5.5 ATTACHING AND REMOVING GROUNDS

Employees attaching and removing grounds shall comply with the following:

1. Grounding equipment should be visually inspected and all mechanical connections checked

for tightness before each use.

2. The surface to which the ground is to be attached should be clean before the grounding clamp

is installed or a self-cleaning clamp shall be used.

3. No ground shall be removed until all personnel are clear of the temporary grounded lines or

equipment. When the grounding set is removed, it shall be disconnected from the line or

equipment end first with an approved hot-line tool and moved to a point clear of energized

conductors before the ground end is disconnected. [Refer to Section 4.15 and 29 CFR

1910.269(n)(6) and (7)].

7.5.6 GROUNDING METHODS AND LOCATION OF GROUNDS IN ORDER

OF PREFERENCE

Employees installing grounds shall install them using the information given in the following

sections.

7.5.6.1 WORK LOCATION

Grounds should be installed at the work location with all grounded parts of different potential bonded

together (on wood poles, all down guys, overhead ground wire, neutral conductor, and pole ground).

The cluster bar assembly should be installed below the working area and jumper to the ground point

or the neutral conductor and the phase conductor, a method of grounding termed "equipotential"

grounding. It provides the greatest margin of safety for the lineworker by placing everything at equal

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