Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

1910.269(q)(1)(i): Before allowing employees to subject elevated structures, such as poles or towers, to such stresses as climbing or the installation or removal of equipment may impose, the employer shall ascertain that the structures are capable of sustaining the additional or unbalanced stresses. If the pole or other structure cannot withstand the expected loads, the employer shall brace or otherwise support the pole or structure so as to prevent failure. Note to paragraph (q)(1)(i): Appendix D to this section contains test methods that employers can use in ascertaining whether a wood pole is capable of sustaining the forces imposed by an employee climbing the pole. This paragraph also requires the employer to ascertain that the pole can sustain all other forces imposed by the work employees will perform. a) Midway Colony, Conrad, MT: On or about August 12, 2024, and at times prior, the employer did not ascertain that the utility pole was capable of sustaining additional or unbalanced stresses. An employee was exposed to a fall hazard while climbing a utility pole at heights of 26 feet to the ground below without having conducted testing of the structure prior to the climb.