Standardization News

A proposed ASTM standard could help improve workplace safety by describing proximity alarm systems that can be used to prevent cranes, utility trucks and other equipment from encroaching inside OSHA minimum approach distances and coming in contact with high voltage power lines.

The standard would be most useful to the construction industry, but it could also help in firefighting, drilling, mining, newsgathering, electrical contracting, utility contracting and others.

"Any piece of equipment that can elevate to the height of a power line could use this standard, including fire trucks, mining apparatuses, television news vans, concrete pumps, excavators, side booms, man lifts, derrick diggers and dump trucks," says ASTM member Lance Burney, president, Sigalarm. "In the construction industry alone, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimated that there are 164,000 establishments using about 96,000 cranes that could fall under the scope of this standard."

All interested parties are encouraged to join the task group that is developing the proposed new standard (WK49653, Specification for High Voltage Proximity Alarm for Voltages Exceeding 600 Volts AC). In particular, representatives of equipment manufacturers and utilities, as well as electrical engineers and other safety professionals, are encouraged to attend the first meeting on Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.

CONTACT Technical Information: Lance Burney , Sigalarm • Sanford, Fla. • tel +1.407.321.0722 | ASTM Staff: Kevin Shanahan • tel +1.610.832.9737 | Upcoming Meeting: Oct. 4-7 • Las Vegas, Nev.