Tree Top Farm Substation
CASE STUDY: Overhead Power Distribution Systems
Removing all trees that are or have the potential of breeching the overhead electricity power lines in the Manchester area.
| Client(s) | United Utilities Electricity Services Ltd |
|---|---|
| Location | Manchester Area |
| Project Start Date | 03 March 2008 |
| Project Completion Date | 17 April 2008 |
Freedom were asked by United Utilities Electricity Services Ltd at the beginning of March 2008 to help them remove all trees that are or have the potential of breeching the overhead electricity power lines in the Manchester area. The contract is in guidance with HSE and DTI legislations regarding safety stipulated in The Safe Working in Proximity to Overhead Electricity Lines G55 Document.
With in our department we have two unit supervisors that run four three man teams consisting of two charge hands, six climbers and four groundsmen. All of whom are fully trained in NPTC units stipulated in there grades from CS30 to CS41. On top of this they must all hold the NPTC Arb Electrical awareness certification units one and two.
On inspecting the site we were faced with the dismantling of a very large Ash tree to be removed. The job took just over six hours to complete by the team, two climbers and a grounds man.
We also have our own electrical engineers who are over seen by our Operations Programmer/chargehand Stewart Williamson. He is responsible for the day to day running of six linesmen and six mates, all of whom again are fully authorised to carry out there roles to the highest standards.
We were issued some work on the Tree Top Farm S/S circuit from United Utilities Electricity Services Ltd planning office on the 3rd of March. It highlighted trees that were encroaching the Low Voltage systems supplied by this feeder. Sites that require Utility Arboricultural work, are identified on the plans and maps released.
On inspecting the site we were faced with the dismantling of a very large Ash tree to be removed. The job took just over six hours to complete by the team, two climbers and a grounds man.
After the tree was completely dismantled we were left with quite a large stump. Martin the grounds man who holds stump treatment certification removed the stump to 3” below ground level with a 6” stump grinder, and then treated it with a stump herbicide to stop any re growth.
All of the waste was chipped and removed from site and given to a local equestrian centre for their ménage. We cut most of the Limbs in the manageable lengths and stock piled them for the land owner Mr Armstrong, who was very grateful after the recent Gas price rises as he has a log burner that would now be kept busy right through the winter.
After all work is completed we return all paper work to United Utilities Electricity Services Ltd so they can then close that circuit of on there records as complete.
