SAFETY

HAZARDS AND CONTROLS OF ELECTRICAL WIRE PULLING WORK

July 18, 2018

WIRE PULLING WORK SAFETY — Determine which wire pulling method is to be used.

Required PPE:
1. Safety glasses 2. Gloves (electrically insulated)		3. Safety toe work boots 4. Protective clothing as needed
Required/Recommended Trainings:
Skilled electrical trade qualified and authorized
TASK	HAZARDS		CONTROLS
Determine which wire pulling method is to be used. (Fish tape, pull rope, tugged, *cable pulling machine*, etc.) and number of personnel required to pull and feed wire.	Using improper equipment or method could result in bodily injury and increase shock potential		Use the right equipment for the task at hand. Follow applicable Electrical LOTO procedures. Options to use cable pulling machines in equipment room: 2K, 4K other EC Shop equipment/tools.
Set up equipment in a manner that will facilitate ease of feeding and pulling wire/cable through the conduit.When pulling/pushing the fish tape and wire into a panel board or through conduit with existing conductors it is strongly recommended that the panel board or conductors be de-energized using appropriate EI-LOTO procedures.	Electric shock Bodily injury – strains Body or equipment entanglement in wire/cable Be aware that the fish tape may “spring” freely as it exits the conduit		Follow applicable EI-LOTO procedures. When it is not possible to de-energize the panel board or when pulling wire through a conduit that has energized conductors, use a fiberglass fish tape. Be aware of body positioning to prevent excessive strain. Ensure surrounding equipment and materials will not interfere with body movement/entanglement of wire. Use rubber insulating sheets or appropriate material to cover and protect energized parts. In all cases, wear proper PPE for the task (includes eye protection).
Establish a method of communication when isolated from one another in order to co-ordinate the pull and push rhythm (radio, phone, etc.)	Poor communication methods could result in bodily or equipment damage (STF’s, strains…)		Verify communication devices are functioning properly.
Attach wire to the fish tape or rope. Reducing the number of strands per conductor will prevent the “head” from being too large. Securely tape the conductors & strands to prevent potential slippage. When using a pulling sock, tape only the end of the sock to the conductors.	Conductor may slip if the entire sock is taped. Pulling socks and metal fish tapes through conduit with existing conductors can be abrasive and damage existing wire insulation.		Use the correct tools and equipment for the job.
Use approved lubricant on first few feet of wire/cable to facilitate ease of pulling/ feeding. Long runs lube every few feet. Pull and/or feed smoothly & rhythmically. Communicate the planned length of each pull (2 – 5+ feet, etc.) Pull off an appropriate length of wire for each feed/push to minimize effort of person pulling the fish tape/rope.	Physical strain and fall potential is increased during the pull.		Do not rush the pull. Get assistance if necessary.
When the pull is completed, secure and safe off conductors until time to terminate the conductors.	Exposed wire ends can become energized or come in contact with energized parts		Tape off (safe off) wire ends
Terminate the load side of the conductors before landing conductors on a breaker or tying into an existing circuit.	Exposed wire ends can become energized or come in contact with energized parts		Tape off (safe off) wire ends