Engineering Instruction 21/1b

Pages:
6
Title Date Issued :
20 August 2007
Loading Of Wood Poles
Supersedes:
None

Prepared By S. Sabao (O&CE) Review / Approved Date

Checked By B. Siso (DSM)

Approved By P.J. Simoyi (OD)

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Engineering Instruction is to safe guard against accidents

associated with loading and off loading of transmission wood-poles onto and from a
truck fitted with a gantry. The manual loading of wood poles with weight in excess of
90kg shall stop with immediate effect.

2. RESPONSIBILITY

2.1 The Consumer Services Director shall authorise the use, and amend the
Instruction for application by Areas and other Business at the Authority’s
premises and work sites within the Distribution Power Network.

2.2 The Area Managers shall enforce the application of this Instruction within
their Areas.

2.3 Any contractor who carries out such work on behalf of the Authority shall
observe this Engineering Instruction; the Area Manager or Area Manager’s
Representative shall enforce the requirements as to ensure the compliance by
any contractor.

3 PROCEDURE

3.1 Fixed Loading Derrick-Pole

3.1.1 All Districts shall erect loading derrick-poles at pole-yards, where loading
gantries are not installed. The derrick-poles shall be erected as per drawing DL
06-01 (attached) and all loading of poles shall be done by means of the loading
derrick-pole.

3.1.2 The derrick-pole shall have cantilever strength of at least 3,5kN.

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3.1.3 The derrick-pole-lifting arm shall be swivel as to allow a loading area of 3600
around the derrick-pole.

Picture 1
Derrick-pole erected at a pole-yard with rope block

3.1.4 A rope block with double and triple pulleys with 100metre 20mm-nylon rope shall be
used for the purpose of loading and off loading functions.

3.1.5 The truck shall be fitted with a carrying-gantry.

3.2 Pole Loading

3.2.1 Select the pole to be loaded from the pile, secure the pole the tow hinge on the
truck and drag the pole to the gym-pole loading area.

3.2.2 Fit a sling at one third of the length pole from the butt/tip nearer to the back of
the truck. Hook the double pulley side on to the sling.

3.2.3 Secure with two guy ropes at far end of the pole.

3.2.4 With the Linesman/Supervisor in direct supervision of the operation, six line-
workers shall pull the rope through the pulleys, at right angles to the truck to
be loaded.
Once the pole has been lifted to a high above the carrying (on the truck) the
truck is reversed under the pole.

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 Picture 2
Pole lifted, ready for the truck to reverse under.

3.2.5 Lower the pole onto the truck and use guy ropes to correctly position the pole.
3.2.6 Remove the block and sling from the pole.
3.2.7 Repeat the process on all the poles to be loaded.

Picture 3
The pole is lowered onto the truck.

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3.3 Mobile Loading Derrick Pole

3.3.1 All trucks used for pole transportation by means gantries shall be fitted with a
loading arm as shown in picture 4.

3.3.2 A rope block with double and triple pulleys with 60metre 20mm-nylon rope shall be
used for the purpose of loading and off loading functions.

3.3.3 The carrying gantry shall be fitted with rollers as to enable the easy movement of
poles.

Picture 4
Setting up of Lifting Arm.

3.4 Pole Loading

3.4.1 Draw up the lifting arm and push in the limit pin.

3.4.2 Fit a sling at 30cm from the near butt/tip of the wood-pole to be loaded and
hook in the double pulley on to the sling as on Picture 3.

3.4.3 Secure with two guy ropes at far end of the pole.

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 Picture 5
Fitting the sling block in preparation to load the pole.

3.4.4 Linesperson/Supervisor shall directly supervise the operation.

Six line-workers shall pull the rope at 450 to 600 from plain of the pole being
loaded and across the width of the truck.

Picture 6
Note the direction of effort applied on the rope.

3.4.5 By use of guy-ropes push the pole onto the truck so that butt/tip rests on the
rollers on the gantry.

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3.4.6 Remove the double end of the block and sling and position at about 1metre
from the other end still on the ground. Using the pulley block, slide the pole
onto the gantry with guy ropes guiding

3.5 Pole Offloading

3.5.1 Secure butt/tip with guy-ropes and pull the pole off the truck. The Supervisor
shall ensure that all personnel and equipment are clear from the place where
the pole is to be dropped.

3.5.2 Remove the guy ropes and repeat the operation on all the poles to be off
loaded.

4. STANDARD TIMES

4.1 Setting up the lifting arm 5 minutes

4.2 Pole positioning 2.5 minutes
4.2 Loading one 13.6metre wood-pole (450kg) 2.5 minutes
4.3 Offloading one 13.6metre wood-pole (450kg) 3 minutes

Line gang of 10 persons shall carry out the operation made up of:
1 Lines-person
1 Driver
2 Lines-assistants and
6 lineworkers.
To load 10 x 13.6metre wood-poles average time of 60 minutes (about
10manhrs) is required. Off loading of the same load at single place shall take
30 minutes (about 5manhours).

Notes: 13.6metre poles were used to determine the time factor, other pole
sizes should not vary much.

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