Grounding Assumptions: Where Line Crews Still Get Hurt Despite “Doing It Right”
Why Grounding Remains a Source of Serious Injury
Grounding is one of the most emphasized safety practices in line work, yet serious incidents continue to occur during grounded operations. These events rarely result from a lack of training or awareness. Instead, they stem from assumptions about how grounding behaves under real-world conditions that are more complex than any classroom scenario.
The Difference Between Training Scenarios and Field Reality
Training often presents grounding in controlled, idealized conditions. In the field, soil resistivity varies, access is limited, and system configurations change without warning. Temporary grounds are installed under time pressure, sometimes in less-than-optimal locations. Induced voltage behaves unpredictably, especially near parallel or adjacent energized lines. Crews make reasonable assumptions based on experience, but those assumptions can fail when conditions differ from what is expected.
Temporary Grounds and Transitional Exposure
Temporary grounding introduces its own risks, particularly during installation and removal. Sequencing matters. Protection can be incomplete during transitions that feel routine. These moments rarely receive the same attention as steady-state conditions, yet they are often where exposure is greatest.
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