Pole and Overhead Asset Inspection Procedure

Purpose. This procedure describes how asset inspectors inspect and test poles, hardware and overhead apparatus and record defects on the asset inspection register.

1.Inspection program

The client's inspection program allocates poles by feeder and cycle. Inspectors will complete the allocated route in order, recording every pole whether or not a defect is found. Inspections in high bushfire risk areas are completed before the fire danger period begins.

2.Safety

Inspectors work under a vicinity authority or in accordance with the client's rules for inspection near live apparatus, maintaining safe approach distances and never touching apparatus, stays or earth wires. Inspectors must wear the specified personal protective equipment, use traffic management on roadsides and check for snakes, wasps and unstable ground at the pole base.

3.Above ground inspection

Inspect the pole for splits, decay, fire damage and lean; the crossarms, insulators, conductors, ties and fittings for cracks, corrosion, bird damage and burning; stays and stay insulators; earth wires and ground connections; and the clearance to vegetation, buildings and the ground. Use binoculars and the inspection camera for the pole top.

4.At and below ground inspection and testing

Excavate around the pole to the depth in the client standard, remove soil and debris, inspect for external and internal decay, sound the pole with a hammer and probe soft areas, and drill test where the client method requires. Measure the remaining sound wood and calculate the residual strength using the client's method. Backfill and compact after inspection.

• Excavate to standard depth
• Sound and probe for decay
• Drill test where required
• Measure remaining sound wood
• Backfill and compact

5.Recording and classifying

Record every pole in the asset inspection register with the pole number, location, inspection date, findings, residual strength, treatment applied and the defect classification and priority using the client's defect codes. Priority one defects that present an immediate danger must be reported to the network controller by phone before leaving the site.

6.Treatment

Apply the approved preservative treatment or fit a reinforcement where the standard requires and record the treatment. Poles that fail the residual strength criteria will be tagged with a condemned pole tag and a work order raised for replacement.