Maintaining line worker safety through maintenance and testing of protective grounding equipment

Worker safety during de-energized line maintenance has always been important, but maintenance of protective grounding equipment was often overlooked. With OSHA CFR 1910.269 sub-part R in Jan. 1994 this changed. Equipment, with suitable accuracy is now available to assist in equipment evaluation. This paper describes some of that equipment, operating principles and positive and negative features of each. Calculations for maximum allowable jumper resistance are shown. A maintenance program should be part of every utility's activity.