Customer
AEP
Location
Lancaster, Ohio
Highlights
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Critical Grounding Hazard Averted Pre-Work -
Transmission Grounding Verification in Action -
Now a Model for Field Safety Vigilance
How Field Oversight Averted a Major Safety Risk Before OPGW-to-ADSS Cable Work
The Challenge
During the pre-job survey following a completed PSEM for the Sifford Rubble Project, a critical grounding oversight was discovered at structure 1B, where the crew was preparing to install an H-frame and defender to transition from OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) to ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting) cable. The grounding rod and ground wire—vital for personnel protection and system safety—were lying disconnected on the structure’s foundation. Initiating work under such conditions would have posed serious electrical safety risks, especially under the assumption that the structure might be energized.
The Solution
The issue was immediately escalated. The field lead contacted the Transmission Construction Representative (TCR), who then engaged the Transmission Field Services (TFS) team. TFS mobilized promptly to ground the structure per standard safety protocols. Work was suspended until the grounding was verified and safely completed. No activities were allowed to proceed without documented confirmation that proper ground paths had been established.
Key Benefits
- Hazard Elimination Before Work Began: Prevented exposure to potentially energized infrastructure during sensitive cable installation.
- Reinforced PSEM Value: Validated the importance of combining procedural meetings with on-the-ground visual inspections.
- Effective Safety Escalation: Demonstrated clear communication channels and rapid field-to-TCR-to-TFS coordination.
- Zero Tolerance Approach: Set a precedent that all structures are to be treated as energized unless visually and electrically proven otherwise.
The Results
- No incidents or delays following the discovery—grounding was corrected before operations began.
- Preserved system and worker safety during a high-risk cable transition task.
- The case is now part of internal safety briefings as an example of PSEM follow-through and job site vigilance.
- This moment helped reinforce company-wide protocols on grounding verification prior to conductor-related work.
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