Insulated Scaffolding And It's Use

Dear All
Presently in market Insulated Scaffolding is available which is of Fiberglass make...
The usage of this scaffolding is for mainly at substations...
My doubt is that; we are not allowing any job in such high volatage area on live condition...
For any work in sub station we are ensuring 100% isolation of all incoming and outgoing energy sources, ensuring 100% grounding before start of any maintenance job...
In this condition can we use the traditional Steel Tubular Scaffolding (Tube & Coupler) instead of Insulated Scaffolding?
Please advice...
Thanks in advance...

Dear dipil,
As you knew if we use non-insulated scaffold on substation it should meets the OSHA -Overhead Power Lines in the Construction Industry (1926.451(f)(6)).
The clearance between scaffolds and power lines shall be as follows: Scaffolds shall not be erected, used, dismantled, altered, or moved such that they or any conductive material handled on them might come closer to exposed and energized power lines than those listed in 1926.451.
Now a days in market we easily get Insulated equipment (for rental) specially what we used on SUBSTATION's i.e.., scaffold,ladders,cheery pickers etc.,,
I don't have that much idea about your query lets see our seniors comments. . .
Hope information helps. . .

Dear Raghu
Thanks for your input... It's not fully answering my query...
However thanks a lot for your input...
Let's wait for seniors comment ...
Thanks in advance and looking for a positive reply...

The advantages of steel tubular scaffolding:
1) fasteners (particularly its screw) easy to lose;
2) node at the pole for the eccentric connection, by stabilizing force transmission load and internal force, thereby reducing their carrying capacity;
3) the quality of fasteners by the fastener connecting the node itself, the impact of quality and workers to operate significantly.
so choose which one is better!!

Hi Dipil,

We may use traditional Steel Tubular Scaffolding but to ensure all potential source of energy are isolated and can put tag out lock out box at the place of isolation. Supervisor must be there to monitor entire process and possess the keys; ensure flow of energy is not on till work is complete and all are safely exit from the work place.

Hope this may clear your doubt.

Dear Dipil,

Before answering your question can you come out with few clarifications?

• There are light, medium and heavy duty scaffolds. Do manufacturers of fiberglass scaffold materials specify these for heavy duty? “
• If fiberglass scaffold is not meant for heavy duty; what will you use in substations when heavy duty scaffold need be erected there?
• Are you allowing exposed energy in substations while people are working on scaffolds warranting a scaffold of non-conductive material?
• We can use, bamboo, wood and for that matter any suitable materials for scaffolding depending upon type/design. Take the case of Vietnam! They normally use bamboo. We can definitely use fiberglass. However be judicious in selecting the scaffold materials and type of scaffold you erect.
• Scaffolding is a specialization. Let a competent persons take the lead.

Regards,
Kesava Pillai

Dear Mr. Dipil
While working, that time only there will be power shut down. But immediately on completion of work and before the power is switched on, we cannot remove the scaffolding towers, which will be a time consuming task. In case if the power is on also we can do the removal of Scaffolding tower job from the bottom level. That's the reason the instruction might have been given for usage of insulated Scaffolding materials especially in Power Transmission Line work.
As a matter of fact, I am not an engineer or from Safety Department. The comments given by me is only from a layman level. In case of any wrong in my reply, please do correct me.

Dear Kesava Pillai Sir

First of all thanks for showing your interest into the topic and for the participation.

Let me answer your questions:

• There are light, medium and heavy duty scaffolds. Do manufacturers of fibreglass scaffold materials specify these for heavy duty? = Not having much idea as not yet deal with the scaffolding supplier regarding fiberglass scaffolding.
• If fibreglass scaffold is not meant for heavy duty; what will you use in substations when heavy duty scaffold need be erected there? = I advice my colleague who was working as my counterpart in another same kind of plant to use "Steel Tubular Scaffolding" after ensuring 100 % isolation of all energy sources.
• Are you allowing exposed energy in substations while people are working on scaffolds warranting a scaffold of non-conductive material? = No. But here my doubt arises. Then why this fibreglass scaffolding is referring to use in Sub-stations and other similar places.
• We can use, bamboo, wood and for that matter any suitable materials for scaffolding depending upon type/design. = Not sure.
• Scaffolding is a specialization. Let a competent persons take the lead. = Agree fully with you.

Scaffolding is one of the topic about which I need to further study in details... Always feels that what I know is nothing about the topic... Not able to build up a confidence in self about this topic... Load calculations, how exact load calculating over verticals, clamps, etc...

However with the help of you I learned a lot and looking forward to learn more from you on various topics...

This thread i started as I receive a query on use of insulated scaffolding from one of my counter part... As I not get any quick response from this forum after discussion with few other seniors to whom I personal know, come to a conclusion that Fibreglass Scaffolding is not required to work inside substation... All the work is being carried out in power off condition, hence can use steel scaffolding with 100% isolation...

Hope I rightly suggest, if anything wrong request you to correct...