The Care and Maintenance of Fiberglass

Fiberglass is used to make tools and equipment for linemen and electricians due to its strength and its electrical insulating properties. Fiberglass tools and equipment are used when applying tie wires, opening and closing switches, replacing fuses, and many more tasks that require workers to be close to a live wire, thus minimizing the chances of an electric shock.

With electricity traveling at 186,000mps, the speed of light, it is no wonder the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has in the past named Lineman as one of the ten most dangerous jobs. Prior to 1950, sources say 30% of linemen were electrocuted on the job. Since then, however, safety regulations and standards have decreased the daily risk to the men and women working with electricity. Newer, safer tools and equipment, as well as more knowledge and training about caring for this equipment, are also contributing to safer work environments.

Hi-Line Utility Supply Co. is working with its customers to keep the fiberglass tools and equipment it sells safe, but linemen should be warned; with fiberglass, you can’t tell by looking. The best strategy to keep fiberglass tools and equipment safe, in addition to testing, is inspect, protect, and clean!

Fiberglass tools used for work on high voltage power lines can become compromised by rough treatment, dirt, water, and carelessness, creating safety issues for linemen. Linemen use sharp tools, such as knives and cutters, which can nick, scratch and puncture fiberglass. The work often takes place in bad weather, and from great heights, where tools can become wet and dirty or be dropped and damaged. Nicks and scratches could allow water to seep into the foam core insulator of the fiberglass tool, making it more able to conduct electricity. Dirt and mud on the outside of a stick or platform could conduct electricity. And if fiberglass is not properly maintained with wax, water could fail to bead on the fiberglass, also providing electricity a road it shouldn’t be taking. The results can be deadly.

ASTM standards and OSHA regulations require inspection and testing of fiberglass tools such as hot sticks and arms every 2 years. (1910.269.) This is a minimum basis for testing and is mostly used on sticks that have been stored unused in a warehouse. Most linemen insist that their tools are inspected and tested after every job. Hi-Line recommends that linemen test their tools at least every six months for lightly used tools and more frequently for tools experiencing heavy use. OSHA states that tools should always be tested if damage is suspected.

OSHA does not yet require testing for fiberglass platforms, ladders, or tools other than sticks, arms and grip-alls, unless damage is suspected. The best practice is to err on the side of caution and test tools and equipment at least annually, because with fiberglass, you can’t tell by looking if the inside foam core has been compromised or not.

There are many products on the market that help keep fiberglass tools and equipment in good, working order. Storage bags are the first line of defense for fiberglass tools. There are many types of fiberglass storage bags to suit any use. Gentle detergent and cleaning wipes, which come in a variety of convenient packaging options, should be on every fiberglass tool and equipment user’s shopping list. Users should also buy wax and use it on tools and equipment every three months, without fail, to prevent water from sheeting on the fiberglass during rainy wet weather.

In addition to inspecting, protecting, and cleaning fiberglass – testing is a must!

All tests must be based on ASTM standard F711-02. The instructions require the tester to apply the voltage of 100kV rms at 60 Hz between electrodes, in accordance with Test Method D149, at a maximum voltage rise of 3000 V/s. These and more instructions can be found on page 334 of the ASTM manual. Utilities often choose to outsource this important function to companies such as Hi-Line Utility Supply Co. of Elgin IL, in order to insure that all fiberglass tools and equipment are properly maintained for the safety of its workers. Hi-Line Utility Supply Co. cleans and tests 80,000 fiberglass tools per year for its customers. Hi-Line administers both a dry test, assuring that the inside foam core is safe, and a wet test, assuring that the outside is safe and won’t generate electrical shock, in accordance with the ASTM standard. Prior to testing Hi-Line cleans and waxes fiberglass tools and equipment, using proven products and methods.

Hi-Line has also developed a fiberglass restoration and refinishing service for fiberglass tools and equipment that restores fiberglass tools and equipment to like new condition. Hi-Line can save companies thousands of dollars by repairing and restoring fiberglass tools and equipment that might have been thought too damaged for use. Restoration not only saves money, but also keeps tens of thousands of suspect tools from filling up landfills: It’s the green thing to do!

Some companies take advantage of Hi-Line’s crating service. Hi-Line will deposit a crate at a customer’s base or job site so that workers can deposit suspect or outdated fiberglass tools and equipment in the crate. When the crate is full, Hi-Line will bring it to the Elgin state-of-the-art test facility where all the tools and equipment will be inspected, tested, cleaned, repaired and restored if necessary, date stamped, and returned to the customer. This convenient service removes the hassle and management associated with caring for fiberglass tools and equipment from contractors, utilities, co-ops, and others who require these special tools to do their jobs safely.

By maintaining a normal inspection routine with Hi-Line, companies can eliminate the costs associated with fiberglass tool management. With Hi-Line’s restoration service and general upkeep, fiberglass tools and equipment will last longer, stay safer, and allow customers to purchase new tools less frequently.

Inspect, protect, and clean fiberglass tools and equipment at Hi-Line Utility Supply Co. to maximize every trip, and minimize the hazards of working with high voltage electricity. Remember: You can’t tell by looking if fiberglass is safe – testing is the only way!