Utility Pole Violations: Dangerous Conditions
Key Takeaways
- Without regular inspections, and up-to-date field data, dangerous pole conditions may go unnoticed until it's too late.
- Utility pole violations may be costly, potentially causing safety risk to utility workers and the general public.
- Regular pole inspections are key to maintaining accurate joint use asset data.
- Utility asset owners, attachers, and other key stakeholders use Alden ONE, a centralized joint use asset management system to strengthen communication between all parties.
Asset owners’ number one concern in the field is safety. Utility poles carry high voltage and should always be approached with caution, but many people may not realize the variety of dangerous risks unchecked poles may pose. Utility poles can cause hazardous threats to the public when joint use asset management teams are unaware of their condition.
Common Utility Pole Violations & Hazards
Electrical hazards begin with the high voltage of cables that the poles hold.
Overhead wire hazards can include:
- Too many wires
- Storm damage
- Overloading on a pole
Excessively tight lines can pose a threat to line workers. Lines should be positioned on a pole in a specific order, and adequate worker safety space between communications and power attachments needs to be maintained.
Climbing obstructions are dangerous and can be a consequence of several reasons, including:
- Foliage
- Branches
- Rotting wood
- Cracks
- Holes
- Improperly built attachments
Line workers must be overly prepared to climb a pole with necessary gear, and these obstructions make things much more risky.
How Alden ONE Strengthens Joint Use Safety
Dangerous conditions add up. Without regular inspections, they remain out of sight to the responsible party. The consequences of putting off pole inspections can be long-term and destructive to asset owners and their organizations.
Alden ONE is an automated, centralized, one-stop-shop for managing joint use assets. Reach out for a demo today to learn how the platform can help you prevent and address utility pole violations.
FAQ About Utility Pole Violations and Hazards
What are common types of utility pole hazards?
Common utility pole hazards include unauthorized attachments that could lead to overloaded poles. Time takes its toll on poles, as cracks and holes from birds and other wildlife weaken the strength of the asset. Natural impacts, such as storm, wind, and ice damage, are also common.
What are the risks of utility pole violations or damage?
Damaged utility poles pose a safety risk to utility workers and the general public. When equipment or hardware is damaged, attachments or even the pole itself can fail. Utility pole violations and damage can also disrupt service and become increasingly costly to repair.
What’s the best way to identify and address utility pole damage?
Conducting regular utility pole inspections is the best way to identify and address damage. Utility asset owners and attachers should inspect hardware, attachments, pole conditions, and other factors that might lead to safety hazards or utility pole violations.
How can a joint use asset management system help teams mitigate pole damage?
A joint use asset management system like Alden ONE enables utility owners and attachers to communicate, collaborate, and manage inventory from a single centralized resource. The platform can also notify teams of any repair work needed in the field.