Gathering important information about insulated bucket trucks is essential for the efficiency of any job and safety at each work-site. Every company should only hire operators and workers who are well-trained to run this very powerful vehicle. In addition, the application of best practices at the work-site will surely spare workers from any injury and the company from any major expenses due to damaged equipment.

Essential Components

The bucket truck has three essential insulating components: the bucket liner, upper boom insulation and lower boom insert which will protect workers from electrocution. The bucket liner is capable of completely protecting the inside portion, although this is ineffective if there is any conductive object that extends out of the liner that could cause electricity to be conducted to the inside of the liner. The upper boom insulation include the section on the boom tip through the elbow. The lower boom insert has insulation provided on the section between the elbow and the chassis.

Rubber Tires

Many operators perceive rubber tires as a good protection against electrocution, which is not totally accurate. The vehicle tires are manufactured without the intention of providing insulation to the whole truck. In fact, when the tires accumulate dirt with any road salt during the winter, it makes the vehicle’s tires very poor insulators. For best safety practices, when the vehicle is in contact with power lines, operators should not attempt to touch or move the truck. Instead, assistance should be requested from the company’s dispatch which can then communicate this problem to the power company.

Safety Practices

Operators may have different tasks that could involve working near power lines. At all times, all overhead lines should be treated as energized even if they appear otherwise. A well-trained and qualified worker should be able to spot the vehicle’s clearance from the power lines. Ten feet away is the minimum overhead clearance that should be maintained; this is also applicable to any objects that are conductive such as transformers, metal/fiberglass poles and ladders, or any ducts and pipes.

For tree trimming, a 10-foot clearance is not sufficient. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has special rules that stipulates that both trained and untrained workers obtain the training certification for those jobs which requires working with live electrical lines. High voltage may inadvertently discharge electrical current due to humidity and even atmospheric charges that could be fatal to workers.

When an electrical storm is noticed in the area, employees who are working in a raised bucket truck must be lowered to the ground. Lightning can strike through the cables or lines. So, at the first indication of lightning storms, an operator should stop working and lower the bucket immediately.

Obtaining certification

Daily checks of the bucket truck are essential; also important is getting the vehicle to a shop for maintenance and a certified inspection. Even having a competent technician who can inspect the whole truck is helpful; however, obtaining a certification would be very beneficial for safety. Inquiring from a fleet company nearby and asking for reference about where they are getting an annual certified inspection can be very helpful.

Lastly, becoming very familiar with the insulation of bucket trucks will result in efficiency for every job requirement. Remember that as this vehicle advances in years, the need for maintenance, re-certification, rule enforcement and safety training only increases. So, the best policy is to follow every safety procedure that has been developed by the company and the manufacturer to properly maintain an insulated bucket truck!