Telecommunications Contractor Safety Manual

What Should a Telecommunications Contractor Safety Manual Include?

The contents of a Telecommunications Contractor Safety Manual should reflect the company’s actual operations.

A contractor installing underground fiber-optic cable may have different hazards than a company placing aerial communications lines, installing cable at customer locations, maintaining existing telecommunications systems, or performing work on communication structures.

The manual should begin with the company’s Core Construction Safety Programs and then include additional programs applicable to the contractor’s telecommunications activities.

Core Safety Programs for Telecommunications Contractors

A comprehensive Telecommunications Contractor Safety Manual may include core programs addressing:

• Accident and Incident Investigation.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• Fire Prevention.
• First Aid.
• Hand and Power Tool Safety.
• Hazard Communication.
• Housekeeping.
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA).
• Manual Lifting and Material Handling.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Slips, Trips and Falls.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Electrical Safety.
• Ladder and Stairway Safety.

The manual should also establish responsibilities for management, supervisors, employees, competent and qualified persons, hazard identification, inspections, safety training, hazard correction, incident reporting, recordkeeping, and periodic review of the company’s safety programs.

Telecommunications Safety

Telecommunications work can combine construction, electrical exposure, elevated work, underground utilities, traffic, material handling, and specialized communications equipment within the same project.

Work should be planned so employees understand:

• The scope and sequence of work.
• Existing electrical and communication systems.
• Underground utilities.
• Overhead power lines.
• Fall hazards.
• Traffic exposure.
• Equipment movement.
• Cable-pulling operations.
• Customer or public exposure.
• Environmental conditions.
• Emergency procedures.

Hazards should be reassessed when work methods, equipment, locations, or site conditions change.

Telecommunications Construction vs. Installation and Maintenance

The OSHA standards applicable to telecommunications work can depend on the nature of the activity being performed.

OSHA’s telecommunications requirements under 29 CFR 1910.268 address certain telecommunications centers and field installations, including work involving communication conductors and their supporting or containing structures.

Construction activities are generally subject to applicable construction standards under 29 CFR Part 1926 rather than being treated as telecommunications maintenance solely because communications equipment is involved.

The company’s procedures should therefore identify the nature of the work and apply the OSHA requirements appropriate to that activity.

Pre-Job Planning and JSA/JHA

Telecommunications contractors should evaluate hazards before beginning work.

A Job Safety Analysis or Job Hazard Analysis may address:

• Aerial cable installation.
• Underground cable installation.
• Fiber-optic work.
• Cable pulling.
• Pole work.
• Bucket-truck operations.
• Ladder work.
• Excavation and trenching.
• Directional boring.
• Vault and manhole entry.
• Electrical hazards.
• Traffic.
• Public exposure.
• RF exposure where applicable.
• Weather.
• Remote work.

The JSA should be reviewed and revised when equipment, work methods, traffic conditions, weather, utilities, or other hazards change.

Fiber Optic Cable Installation

Fiber-optic installation may involve cable reels, pulling equipment, underground conduit, aerial placement, splicing, termination, testing, and work inside buildings or telecommunications facilities.

Planning should address:

• Cable handling.
• Cable reels.
• Pulling tension.
• Pinch points.
• Fiber fragments.
• Eye hazards.
• Optical sources.
• Chemicals used during splicing or cleaning.
• Housekeeping.
• Disposal of fiber waste.
• Traffic and public exposure.

Employees should receive instruction appropriate to the fiber-optic work they perform.

Fiber Optic Handling and Eye Safety

Small pieces of optical fiber can penetrate skin or eyes and may be difficult to see.

Fiber-handling procedures should address:

• Eye protection.
• Hand protection.
• Work-surface control.
• Collection of fiber scraps.
• Proper disposal.
• Eating and drinking restrictions in fiber-work areas.
• Cleaning of work surfaces.

Employees should not look directly into fiber ends or optical equipment unless the system has been verified safe and the appropriate procedures and equipment are being used.

Fiber Splicing

Fiber splicing may involve sharp fiber fragments, precision cutting tools, solvents, cleaners, heat sources, and specialized equipment.

Work areas should be maintained so small fiber fragments can be identified and controlled.

Employees should:

• Use appropriate eye protection.
• Dispose of fiber scraps in suitable containers.
• Handle solvents and cleaners according to their hazards.
• Maintain good housekeeping.
• Follow equipment manufacturer instructions.

Cable Pulling and Stored Energy

Cable pulling can create substantial tension and stored energy.

Hazards may include:

• Pulling-line failure.
• Cable movement.
• Pinch points.
• Recoil.
• Winches.
• Capstans.
• Cable pullers.
• Conduit entrances.
• Reel movement.
• Caught-between exposures.

Employees should remain outside the potential line of fire and should not stand inside bends or other areas where cable, rope, or pulling equipment could move unexpectedly.

Cable Reels and Material Handling

Cable reels can be large, heavy, and difficult to control.

Procedures should address:

• Loading and unloading.
• Reel storage.
• Chocking.
• Mechanical lifting.
• Reel stands.
• Axles.
• Rolling.
• Ground conditions.
• Employee positioning.

Reels should be restrained against unintended movement.

Employees should not attempt to manually control a reel when its size or weight creates an unsafe condition.

Aerial Telecommunications Work

Aerial telecommunications work may involve communication lines, poles, ladders, bucket trucks, aerial lifts, cable-placement equipment, and work near energized electrical conductors.

Planning should address:

• Pole condition.
• Fall hazards.
• Electrical hazards.
• Overhead power lines.
• Traffic.
• Equipment positioning.
• Cable tension.
• Weather.
• Public access.

Employees should understand the hazards created by jointly occupied poles and nearby electrical systems before aerial work begins.

Pole Safety

Before employees climb or otherwise rely on a pole for support, the pole should be evaluated as required to determine whether it can safely support the anticipated loads.

Potential concerns may include:

• Decay.
• Damage.
• Fire damage.
• Vehicle impact.
• Excavation near the pole.
• Altered guying.
• Soil conditions.
• Excessive loading.

Where pole stability is uncertain, appropriate measures should be taken before employees are exposed to the hazard.

Bucket Trucks and Aerial Lifts

Bucket trucks and aerial lifts are commonly used for telecommunications line work.

Procedures should address:

• Operator training.
• Pre-use inspections.
• Fall protection.
• Equipment positioning.
• Outriggers where applicable.
• Ground conditions.
• Traffic.
• Overhead electrical hazards.
• Load limits.
• Emergency lowering.

Employees should remain within the platform and follow manufacturer requirements while elevated.

Ladder Safety

Telecommunications contractors may use ladders for pole work, building access, cable installation, equipment installation, and service work.

Ladders should be:

• Appropriate for the task.
• Inspected before use as required.
• Positioned on stable surfaces.
• Properly secured where necessary.
• Protected from traffic.
• Kept clear of electrical hazards.

Employees should maintain appropriate contact while climbing and should not carry loads that prevent safe ladder use.

Fall Protection

Telecommunications employees may encounter fall hazards from poles, aerial lifts, ladders, rooftops, towers, structures, excavations, and other elevated locations.

Fall-protection requirements should be determined according to the type of work and applicable OSHA standard.

Procedures may address:

• Personal fall-arrest systems.
• Fall-restraint systems.
• Work-positioning systems.
• Guardrails.
• Covers.
• Equipment inspection.
• Anchorage.
• Rescue.

Employees should be trained in the fall-protection systems they are required to use.

Overhead Power Lines

Aerial telecommunications work may place employees, ladders, bucket trucks, cable-placement equipment, and materials near energized electrical lines.

Power-line hazards should be identified before work begins.

Employees should maintain applicable clearances and follow required protective procedures.

Lines should be treated as energized unless their status has been appropriately established.

Electrical Safety

Telecommunications work can expose employees to electrical hazards even when the communications systems themselves operate at relatively low voltage.

Potential sources include:

• Power conductors on jointly occupied poles.
• Building electrical systems.
• Temporary power.
• Generators.
• Power supplies.
• Batteries.
• Induced voltage.
• Damaged equipment.
• Existing utility systems.

Employees should use electrical safe-work practices appropriate to the hazards involved.

Underground Telecommunications

Underground telecommunications work may involve conduit, duct banks, fiber-optic cable, copper cable, vaults, handholes, manholes, trenches, and directional boring.

Planning should address:

• Existing utilities.
• Excavation.
• Traffic.
• Heavy equipment.
• Cable pulling.
• Confined spaces where applicable.
• Water accumulation.
• Hazardous atmospheres.
• Public exposure.

Excavation and Trenching

Telecommunications contractors may excavate trenches for conduit, cable, vaults, handholes, and related infrastructure.

Where employees enter excavations, procedures should address applicable requirements for:

• Competent-person inspections.
• Soil classification.
• Protective systems.
• Access and egress.
• Underground utilities.
• Water accumulation.
• Spoil placement.
• Equipment near excavation edges.
• Hazardous atmospheres.

Employees should not enter an excavation until required protective measures have been established.

Underground Utility Identification

Existing underground installations should be identified before excavation, boring, drilling, or other ground-disturbing work begins.

Potential utilities include:

• Electrical systems.
• Gas.
• Water.
• Sewer.
• Telecommunications.
• Fiber-optic systems.
• Fuel lines.
• Other underground facilities.

As work approaches known installations, their exact location should be determined using safe and acceptable means.

Directional Boring

Horizontal directional drilling and boring are commonly used to install telecommunications conduit and fiber with reduced surface disturbance.

Hazards may include:

• Existing underground utilities.
• Rotating equipment.
• Drill rods.
• Stored energy.
• Equipment movement.
• Drilling fluids.
• Traffic.
• Excavations.
• Electrical contact.

Utility identification and verification are especially important before boring begins because the bore path may cross multiple underground facilities.

Vaults, Manholes and Handholes

Telecommunications work may require access to underground vaults, manholes, and handholes.

Hazards may include:

• Traffic.
• Falls.
• Hazardous atmospheres.
• Water.
• Electrical systems.
• Limited access.
• Biological hazards.
• Stored materials.
• Confined-space conditions.

Each space should be evaluated to determine the hazards and applicable entry requirements before employees enter.

Confined Spaces

Certain telecommunications vaults, manholes, and other spaces may meet the definition of a confined space or permit-required confined space.

Where applicable, procedures should address:

• Space evaluation.
• Atmospheric testing.
• Entry permits where required.
• Ventilation.
• Entrants.
• Attendants.
• Entry supervisors.
• Communication.
• Rescue.

Confined-space requirements should be applied according to the characteristics and hazards of the specific space.

Traffic Control and Roadside Work

Telecommunications installation and service frequently occur along public streets and roadways.

Traffic-control procedures may address:

• Signs.
• Cones.
• Barricades.
• Work vehicles.
• Flaggers.
• High-visibility apparel.
• Pedestrian routing.
• Equipment access.
• Lane closures.

Traffic-control arrangements should reflect the roadway, speed, work duration, and applicable agency requirements.

Flagger Safety

Where flaggers are used, they should be appropriately trained and positioned.

Flaggers should:

• Remain visible to approaching traffic.
• Use required signaling devices.
• Maintain an escape route.
• Avoid distractions.
• Coordinate with other flaggers.
• Wear appropriate high-visibility apparel.

Flaggers should not perform unrelated work while actively controlling traffic.

Working Around the Public

Telecommunications contractors frequently work around homeowners, building occupants, pedestrians, motorists, customers, and other members of the public.

Controls may include:

• Barricades.
• Cones.
• Signs.
• Controlled access.
• Equipment separation.
• Cable management.
• Excavation protection.
• Traffic control.

Tools, cables, open access points, equipment, and materials should be controlled so they do not unnecessarily expose the public to hazards.

Hand and Power Tools

Telecommunications employees may use drills, saws, cable cutters, crimping tools, grinders, hydraulic tools, impact tools, and other equipment.

Tools should be:

• Appropriate for the task.
• Inspected as necessary.
• Maintained in safe condition.
• Properly guarded where required.
• Used according to manufacturer instructions.

Employees should use eye, hand, hearing, and other protection appropriate to the tool and task.

Pneumatic and Hydraulic Tools

Certain telecommunications operations may involve pneumatic or hydraulic tools.

Procedures should address:

• Hose condition.
• Connections.
• Pressure ratings.
• Stored energy.
• Tool inspection.
• Pinch points.
• Unexpected movement.

Pressure should be relieved before equipment is disconnected or serviced where necessary.

Silica Exposure

Telecommunications work may generate respirable crystalline silica when employees cut, drill, grind, or disturb concrete, masonry, asphalt, or other silica-containing materials.

Where applicable, silica procedures should address:

• Exposure assessment.
• Engineering controls.
• Dust collection.
• Water delivery systems.
• Respiratory protection.
• Housekeeping.
• Employee training.

A full silica program should be included when the company’s operations create applicable exposure.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to the hazards of the telecommunications work.

Depending on the task, PPE may include:

• Hard hats.
• Safety glasses.
• Face shields.
• Work gloves.
• Protective footwear.
• High-visibility apparel.
• Hearing protection.
• Fall-protection equipment.
• Electrical protective equipment.
• Respiratory protection.

PPE should be inspected, maintained, and replaced as necessary.

Radiofrequency and Non-Ionizing Radiation

Telecommunications employees may work near antennas, transmitters, microwave systems, or other sources of radiofrequency energy.

Where RF exposure is possible, procedures should address:

• Hazard identification.
• Controlled areas.
• Warning signs.
• Exposure limits.
• Transmitter status.
• Coordination with equipment owners.
• Employee training.
• Appropriate controls.

RF procedures should be based on the actual equipment and exposure potential rather than included automatically for every telecommunications contractor.

Battery and Backup Power Systems

Telecommunications facilities may use batteries and backup-power systems to maintain service during electrical interruptions.

Where employees install or service these systems, hazards may include:

• Electrical energy.
• Stored energy.
• Battery chemicals.
• Short circuits.
• Fire.
• Heavy lifting.
• Ventilation.

Procedures should reflect the battery chemistry, system design, manufacturer requirements, and work being performed.

Heavy Equipment and Mobile Equipment

Underground and infrastructure telecommunications projects may involve excavators, backhoes, skid-steer loaders, trenchers, loaders, telehandlers, and other mobile equipment.

Procedures should address:

• Operator authorization.
• Equipment inspection.
• Seat-belt use.
• Blind spots.
• Backing.
• Spotters.
• Ground conditions.
• Pedestrian exposure.
• Loading and unloading.

Employees on foot should remain outside equipment operating zones whenever possible.

Digger Derricks

Some telecommunications contractors may use digger derricks for pole installation, pole removal, material handling, or related work.

Where applicable, procedures should address:

• Operator training.
• Equipment inspection.
• Ground conditions.
• Outriggers.
• Load capacity.
• Rigging.
• Pole handling.
• Electrical hazards.
• Employee positioning.

Digger-derrick requirements should reflect the actual equipment and work being performed.

Forklifts and Telehandlers

Forklifts and telehandlers may be used in warehouses, yards, staging areas, and construction sites.

Procedures should address:

• Operator training.
• Pre-use inspections.
• Rated capacity.
• Attachments.
• Load stability.
• Terrain.
• Visibility.
• Pedestrian hazards.

Driving and Fleet Safety

Telecommunications contractors frequently operate vans, pickups, bucket trucks, trailers, service vehicles, and other fleet equipment.

Procedures may address:

• Driver qualification.
• Seat-belt use.
• Distracted driving.
• Vehicle inspections.
• Trailer towing.
• Load securement.
• Backing.
• Parking.
• Accident reporting.

Ladders, cable reels, tools, equipment, and materials should be appropriately secured during transport.

Heat Stress

Telecommunications employees may work outdoors, on poles, in aerial lifts, or near roadways during hot weather.

Heat-stress procedures should address:

• Drinking water.
• Rest periods.
• Shade or cooling.
• Acclimatization.
• Work scheduling.
• Employee monitoring.
• Recognition of heat illness.
• Emergency response.

Cold Stress and Severe Weather

Telecommunications work may expose employees to cold, wind, rain, lightning, snow, and other severe weather.

Weather can affect:

• Pole climbing.
• Aerial lifts.
• Ladders.
• Cable handling.
• Traffic.
• Excavations.
• Equipment stability.
• Electrical hazards.

Work should be modified or suspended when conditions create unacceptable hazards.

Working Alone

Telecommunications installation and service employees may work alone at customer locations, remote sites, roadside locations, or telecommunications facilities.

Where applicable, procedures should address:

• Communication.
• Check-in procedures.
• Emergency contacts.
• Location information.
• First aid.
• Weather.
• Restricted high-hazard activities.

The company’s Working Alone procedures should reflect the hazards and remoteness of the work.

Communication Tower Work

Some telecommunications contractors may erect, modify, inspect, service, or maintain communication towers and related structures.

Tower work can involve specialized hazards including:

• Extreme-height fall exposure.
• Personnel and material hoisting.
• Falling objects.
• Structural stability.
• RF exposure.
• Electrical hazards.
• Severe weather.
• Rescue.

Contractors performing tower work should include additional specialized programs, procedures, training, rescue planning, and equipment appropriate to those operations.

Emergency Response

Telecommunications emergency planning should consider:

• Falls.
• Electrical contact.
• Traffic incidents.
• Excavation emergencies.
• Confined-space emergencies.
• Equipment incidents.
• Fire.
• RF concerns.
• Heat illness.
• Severe weather.
• Medical emergencies.

Employees should understand how to summon assistance and communicate their work location, particularly when working alone or in remote areas.

Telecommunications Contractor Training

Employees should receive training appropriate to their assigned tasks and hazards.

Training may include:

• Telecommunications hazards.
• Fiber-optic safety.
• Cable pulling.
• Ladder safety.
• Fall protection.
• Aerial lifts.
• Electrical hazards.
• Excavation.
• Directional boring.
• Traffic control.
• Confined spaces.
• RF awareness.
• PPE.
• Emergency procedures.

Competent-person, qualified-person, equipment-operator, or other specialized training should be provided where required by applicable standards or work activities.

Telecommunications JSA/JHA

Telecommunications-specific JSAs may address:

• Fiber-optic installation.
• Cable pulling.
• Cable splicing.
• Cable reel handling.
• Aerial cable installation.
• Pole work.
• Bucket-truck operation.
• Ladder work.
• Underground cable installation.
• Excavation.
• Directional boring.
• Vault and manhole work.
• Traffic control.
• Communication tower work.

The JSA should reflect the actual equipment, work location, utilities, traffic, weather, and site conditions involved.

Additional Safety Programs for Telecommunications Contractors

Not every telecommunications contractor requires every safety program.

Depending on the company’s operations, additional programs may include:

• Aerial and Boom Lift Safety.
• Aerial Line Safety.
• Battery Safety.
• Cable Installation Safety.
• Cable Pulling Safety.
• Cable Reel Handling.
• Cold Stress.
• Communication Tower Safety.
• Confined Space.
• Digger Derrick Safety.
• Directional Boring.
• Driving and Fleet Safety.
• Electrical Safety.
• Excavation and Trenching.
• Fall Protection.
• Fiber Optic Safety.
• Fire Prevention.
• Flagger Safety.
• Forklift and Telehandler Safety.
• Hand and Power Tools.
• Hazard Communication.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Heat Stress Prevention.
• Heavy Equipment and Mobile Equipment.
• Ladder and Stairway Safety.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Manual Lifting and Material Handling.
• Overhead Power Lines.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Pneumatic Tool Safety.
• Radiofrequency and Non-Ionizing Radiation.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Severe Weather.
• Silica Exposure.
• Traffic Control and Work Zones.
• Underground Utilities.
• Working Alone.
• Working Around the Public.

Programs should be selected according to the contractor’s actual work, equipment, and exposures rather than included simply because they are associated with telecommunications.

Customer and Prime Contractor Requirements

Telecommunications contractors may perform work for carriers, cable companies, internet service providers, utilities, municipalities, tower owners, general contractors, infrastructure companies, and other clients.

Customer requirements may address:

• Contractor qualification.
• Site orientation.
• JSA or pre-task planning.
• PPE.
• Traffic control.
• Electrical safety.
• Equipment.
• Incident reporting.
• Drug and alcohol requirements.
• Environmental procedures.
• Emergency response.

Applicable customer or prime-contractor requirements should be incorporated into project planning and followed in addition to the contractor’s own safety procedures.

Multi-Employer Worksites and Subcontractor Coordination

Telecommunications projects may involve general contractors, utility companies, excavation contractors, boring contractors, electrical contractors, tower contractors, traffic-control companies, and other employers.

Coordination should address:

• Scope of work.
• Existing utilities.
• Hazard communication.
• Equipment movement.
• Excavations.
• Electrical hazards.
• Traffic.
• Simultaneous operations.
• Emergency procedures.

Each employer remains responsible for protecting its employees while coordinating hazards that may affect other workers.

Telecommunications Toolbox Talks

Toolbox talks can reinforce hazards relevant to current telecommunications work.

Useful topics may include:

• Fiber-optic safety.
• Cable pulling.
• Cable reels.
• Ladder safety.
• Fall protection.
• Bucket trucks.
• Overhead power lines.
• Underground utilities.
• Excavation.
• Directional boring.
• Traffic control.
• PPE.
• Heat stress.
• Driving safety.

Toolbox talks supplement required safety training but do not replace training specifically required by applicable OSHA standards.

Telecommunications Contractor Safety Manual vs. Site-Specific Safety Plan

A Telecommunications Contractor Safety Manual establishes the company’s overall safety policies, programs, and procedures.

A Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) applies applicable requirements to a particular telecommunications project or worksite.

For example, the company manual may contain Fall Protection, Electrical Safety, Aerial Lift, Excavation, Directional Boring, Traffic Control, Confined Space, PPE, and other programs. Project-specific planning can then address the actual utilities, poles, roadways, excavation conditions, equipment, customer requirements, emergency arrangements, and other hazards unique to the project.

The company safety manual therefore provides the foundation for project-specific telecommunications safety planning.

Building a Telecommunications Contractor Safety Manual

A practical Telecommunications Contractor Safety Manual should reflect the work the company’s employees actually perform.

When determining which programs to include, consider:

• Fiber-optic installation.
• Cable installation.
• Aerial telecommunications.
• Underground telecommunications.
• Pole work.
• Bucket trucks.
• Directional boring.
• Excavation and trenching.
• Vaults and manholes.
• Customer-premises work.
• Roadside work.
• Communication towers.
• Radiofrequency exposure.
• Battery systems.
• Fleet vehicles.
• Customer and prime-contractor requirements.
• Contractor-prequalification requirements.

Selecting programs according to actual operations produces a safety manual that addresses the contractor’s real hazards without filling the document with unrelated safety programs.

Customized Safety Manuals for Telecommunications Contractors

Telecommunications contractors can request a customized Construction Safety Manual containing the Core Safety Programs and additional programs applicable to their fiber-optic, aerial, underground, cable-installation, equipment, traffic-control, and other telecommunications operations.

Programs can be selected according to the company’s actual work so the manual addresses relevant telecommunications hazards without including large numbers of unrelated safety programs.

Individual safety programs can also be selected when a telecommunications contractor needs to add or update a particular program within an existing manual.