ECN Forum Forums Safety Discussion and News Safety News and Product Recalls Light pole safety alert (and cool pics to boot :)

Alert notice from CPSC

That's one devil of a place for a crack! I would not be surprised if many poles have paint hiding the evidence.

Just a little note: If you have a repair like this to make, have a CERTIFIED weldor do it! That is, one specifically government licensed for structural welding. Do not use just any clown who claims to know how to wled, or who claims that 'school taught us to those standards,' etc. Get the real deal.

As to where to find the 'real deal:' .... that's one thing certain Unions have going for them (Pipefitters' is one). The man's union card will be specifically endorsed for every kind of welding for which the man is qualified.

Holy cow!!! I've personally had to respond to a supermarket ,coiencidentally right on the beach. where the 30' light poles were all starting to rot at the base. One actually fell inbetween 2 parked cars. I had to disconnect the circuits feeding the light and passing through it, and but a temporary juntion box upon the footing. it was a big mess with glass and ballast parts all over the parkibng lot.luckily nobody was hurt, but it could have been a disaster. the pole actually tore away from the base, kind of like an aluminum soda can will rip if you twist it.

I've dealt with fallen light poles a number of times ... all much shorter poles, and all hit by cars. Such experiences, if nothing else, really showcase the importance of having a junction box next to the pole, and using NSI-type connectors.

You bring up a real good point: corrosion. The best pole won't last forever; every pole (make note to myself) ought to be checked every time you replace a bulb.

Exactly John,
I think back to all the money I've spent on getting NZS 4711 (Structural welding) and it is an on-going thing to
continually say that you hold them certifications(there are different certifications for different weld processes (Stick,MIG and TIG (although TIG is not used in structural stuff, there is a need for certification of those that weld food containers and pipe work that carries edible liquids) and "positions".

Not only is this for you to be taught to weld correctly (which 9/10th's of is actually being able to set the welder so that it will provide the best weld quality, for the given task), but it also includes detailed analysis of samples of welded joints provided by the applicant.

Sure, at the end of the day, no weld is in-fallible, but having monitoring of those that do welding that needs to be of a certain standard, helps to minimise the risk of things breaking un-necessarily.