Employees stringing adjacent to energized lines should follow certain safe work practices. (See 29 CFR 1910.269(q), 1926.955(d), and IEEE 516-1987, "IEEE Guide for Maintenance Methods on Energized Powerlines.") Consideration should be given to the following:

1. When performing work from structures, clipping crews and all others working on conductors, subconductors, or overhead grounding conductors should be protected by individual grounds installed at every work location.

2. When workers are stringing adjacent to energized lines, the tension-stringing method or other methods that prevent unintentional contact between the lines being pulled and any worker should be used.

3. All pulling and tensioning equipment should be effectively grounded.

4. Aground should be installed between the tensioning reel setup and the first structure to ground each bare conductor, subconductor, and overhead grounding conductor during stringing across or adjacent to energized lines.

5. During stringing operations, each bare conductor, subconductor, and overhead grounding conductor should be grounded at the first tower adjacent to both the tensioning and pulling setup and at appropriate intervals. The grounds should be left in place until conductor installation is completed. Except for moving-type grounds, the grounds should be placed and removed with a hot stick.

6. Conductors, subconductors, and overhead grounding conductors should be grounded at all dead-end or catch-off points.

7. A ground should be located at each side and within 10 ft. of working areas where conductors, subconductors, or overhead grounding conductors are being spliced at ground level. The two ends to be spliced should be bonded to each other. It is recommended that splicing be carried out on either an insulated platform or on a conductive metallic grounding mat bonded to both grounds. When a grounding mat is used, it should be roped off and an insulated walkway provided for access to the mat.