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POLE SOUNDING AND REPLACEMENT

PROCEDURE
EST.BY OTENG SEGOJWA(SHE) APPROVED ARCHIBOLD CHILISA(MD)

…………………………………. …………………………………………….
EST.DATE 03-05-22 RECENT REVIEW BY NEXT DOC ID V
REVIEW REVIEW
INC DATE 05-05-22 03-MAY- O. MAY-2025 PSR-PRO-3.2-10 [01]
2022 SEGOJWA
NAME OF ORGANISATION MICRARK INVESTMENTS(PTY)LTD
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MICRARK INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD
P. O. Box 30440 Francistown, Botswana Tel +2672405847 / Fax: +267 2419980
Cell: 71459000 Email: chilisaa2002@gmail.com

POLE SOUNDING PROCEDURE

This forms procedures for sounding the pole preceding any works on that pole. Two general types of
inspection STAGES will be followed before any work on the pole;
1) STAGE 1: Visual Inspection- as Per Pole Visual Inspection Checklist
2) STAGE 2: Sounding Inspection- as per detailed Procedure below

NOTE: Boring method of inspecting a pole has not been covered here, can be explored for Pole
Maintenance Inspections (not for sounding before climbing)

TOOLS TO BE USED: For hitting the pole- 2 Pounds hammer for 7, 9, & 13m Poles
-4 Pounds hammer for 15m and above Poles
STAGE 1.
VISUAL INSPECTION;

STEP CONDITION TO ASSESS YES NO N/A

1 Check for woodpecker damages

2 Check for wetlands/ponds damages

3 Check for termites

4 Check for Bees, wasps or other insects that might inhabit the pole

5 Check condition of jumpers and conductors on the LV pole

6 Salty sandy deposit at the base of pole( for salty areas)

7 Check for creosote condition

8 Check date of installation in attached plate (if is available)This will help in

decision making

EST.BY OTENG SEGOJWA(SHE) APPROVED ARCHIBOLD CHILISA(MD)

EST.DATE 03-05-22 RECENT REVIEW BY NEXT DOC ID V
REVIEW REVIEW
INC DATE 05-05-22 03-MAY-2022 O. SEGOJWA MAY-2025 PSR-PRO-3.1-10 [01]
 µ
MICRARK INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD
P. O. Box 30440 Francistown, Botswana Tel +2672405847 / Fax: +267 2419980
Cell: 71459000 Email: chilisaa2002@gmail.com

Stage 2-SOUNDING INSPECTION

STEP DESCRIPTION RISK/ COMMENTS Responsibility

1 With the use of appropriate tool described Avoid use of headphone or Competent person
below hit the pole 3 times at different spot hearing destructive tool or
30cm above the ground surface to as far above talking. (Pay attention)
as one can go at the same time paying attention
Second person needed for
to the sound produced.(hitting should be done
verification checks
in circular movements around the pole at each
height)

2 Repeat above step at a height more than 1 m Observe pole condition and Competent person
from the ground to as far as one can go. If no reduce next height to test
sign of decay detected from step above, then (interval can be reduced from
STEP 3 Applies 30m to smaller)

3 With the use of any appropriate tool,  For poles with Competent person
dig/expose 30cm below the ground below the supporting structure like
ground level, hit the pole 3 times and pay stay wire ensure are in
attention to sound produced. place before digging.
If no sign of decay- Proceed to Step 4 If there  For poles with take off
is decay- proceed to step 5 cables take precaution
not to damage

4 Proceed with the works (observe Pole Observe Pole Climbing Competent person
Climbing Procedures using Extension ladders) Procedures using Extension
ladders.

5 The Competent Person assesses the degree of Only one Person to Climb a Competent person
decay, if its critical the pole shall be replaced Supported pole.
first. If in doubt the pole shall be adequately
supported (Using a Crane to support against
the leaning angle)

REPLACEMENT OF ROTTEN POLES PROCEDURE

EST.BY OTENG SEGOJWA(SHE) APPROVED ARCHIBOLD CHILISA(MD)
EST.DATE 03-05-22 RECENT REVIEW BY NEXT DOC ID V
REVIEW REVIEW
INC DATE 05-05-22 03-MAY-2022 O. SEGOJWA MAY-2025 PSR-PRO-3.1-10 [01]
 µ
MICRARK INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD
P. O. Box 30440 Francistown, Botswana Tel +2672405847 / Fax: +267 2419980
Cell: 71459000 Email: chilisaa2002@gmail.com
NOTE# This procedure must be carried out at all works for pole replacement or where climbing
poles is required and must always be accompanied by a JSA.
STEP DESCRIPTION RISK/ COMMENTS Responsibility
1 Before any rotten pole is replaced, the Avoid falling with Competent person
new pole must be planted first rotten pole
2 The extension ladder must be put on To prevent ladder Competent person
the new pole and secured onto the from falling/sliding
new pole so that it cannot slide
off/down.
3 The extension ladder must be firmly To keep it stable as Competent person
supported by another person on the the other is climbing
ground.
4 The person on the ground must be Be your brother’s Competent person
vigilant so that he can alert his keeper
colleague of any imminent danger
5 The one climbing the extension ladder Minimise risk of Competent person
must put on the safety belt before falling
climbing the ladder
6 While climbing, he must take steps Precaution Competent person
with extreme precaution leaning
towards the ladder to minimize risk of
falling off.
7 The person must avoid skipping the Risk of missing a Competent person
steps of the ladder or doubling up step and falling over
steps!
8 The person must secure the safety belt Ensure secure Competent person
onto the pole and the cross arm in support
such a way that the safety belt cannot
slide down.
9 The safety belt must never be secured Risk of breaking off/ Competent person
onto the pin insulator or the cross-arm slipping off
metal strap or the conductor.
10 Before removing the conductors, the Falling pole might Competent person
rotten pole must be supported by a cause damage
crane.

EST.BY OTENG SEGOJWA(SHE) APPROVED ARCHIBOLD CHILISA(MD)

EST.DATE 03-05-22 RECENT REVIEW BY NEXT DOC ID V
REVIEW REVIEW
INC DATE 05-05-22 03-MAY-2022 O. SEGOJWA MAY-2025 PSR-PRO-3.1-10 [01]