Transmission Removal Safety Verification: AEP Halts Work Due to Distribution Hazards

Customer

AEP

Location

Mount Sterling, Ohio

Highlights

  • Transmission Work Halted Due to Distribution Failures
  • Field Verification Triggered Immediate Escalation
  • Now a Training Example for Infrastructure Interdependence

When Distribution Fails Impact Transmission: How Field Verification Averted a Hazard During T-Line Removal in Mount Sterling

The Challenge

During a pre-task site visit with a contractor to review T-line conductor removal activities, the field team identified multiple distribution-level asset failures that could impact the safety and feasibility of proceeding. Specific hazards included:
  • A rotten cross arm supporting a live distribution conductor
  • Insulators near detachment from the compromised arm
  • A secondary wire draped over a guy wire, creating unplanned contact and possible clearance violations
These issues posed both an immediate safety threat and a work interference risk, especially given the shared infrastructure between transmission and distribution systems.

The Solution

 Upon identifying the hazards, the field lead:
  • Took photographic documentation of all observed failures
  • Paused the work plan to prevent any engagement near compromised structures
  • Notified AEP Distribution personnel, ensuring the issue was escalated to the correct operational team for repair coordination
  • Delayed the T-line removal until site conditions were restored to safe and stable operating standards

Key Benefits

  • Hazard Avoidance: Prevented potential conductor drops, structure collapse, or conductor contact during removal activities
  • Infrastructure Coordination: Highlighted the importance of synchronizing Transmission and Distribution readiness before joint or overlapping work
  • Field Safety Protocol Enforcement: Showed how field leads proactively halt work when third-party infrastructure poses a threat
  • Improved Documentation: Captured photographic evidence for follow-up, repair planning, and future audits
  • Work Continuity Planning: Ensured that once the issues were resolved, the project could resume without further surprises or escalations

The Results

  • No incidents occurred, and the issue was resolved without damage to property or risk to personnel
  • The distribution team responded promptly after receiving clear documentation and location details
  • The event is now used as an example in internal training on infrastructure interdependence and field readiness verification

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