Safety Around An Overhead Line Winch

When buying an overhead line winch or any other cable installation equipment like a drum trailer, a cable winch or a cable cutter or cable trailer, care should be taken when using them to make sure it is done safely. Some equipment like a cable winch or an overhead line winch requires taking safety measures when using them.

An overhead line winch is hydraulically driven and can accept a wide variety of drums for different applications. It is only designed for pulling suspended cables and conductors using a pilot line drum, or for removing and placing conductors with a split drum or wooden drum.

Even if for instance, an overhead line winch or any other cable winch have been designed and developed to eliminate health and safety risks there are still certain risks involves when working with wires and pylons. As a matter of fact, it is important that instructions are studied and observed, that all personnel involved in using the equipment should be trained in maintenance and safety. On top of that, the appropriate equipment and tools like insulated tools, cable stripping tools or live line equipment need to be available.

When using that equipment, there are various equipment safety points to follow.

First of all, all warning prohibition and information signs must be visible. It is also very important before setting up the equipment to make sure that the ground is firm and level. You will also need to check that the support and securing devices are in place. You should easily find the instructions for securing and setting up the equipment.

When you have finished using the machine and want to move it, you need to make sure that the brakes and road lights work but also that the supports are raised high above the ground and that there are no loose parts that could fall to allow a safe transport of the machine.

Before actually starting or operating the equipment, you need to make sure that no person, animal, tool or anything else is inside, on or under the machine or even too near and that all protection and safety equipment are properly in place.

Finally, it is also very important never to leave the equipment unsupervised but also to carry out inspections and maintenance very often and very carefully in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Obviously, you will need to stop the machine before carrying out such maintenance.