Risks of Aerial Optical Cable Construction
Besides the usual safety issues for all construction, generally covered under OSHA rules in the US (OSHA 10 and 30), fiber optics adds concerns for eye safety, chemicals, sparks from fusion splicing, disposal of fiber shards and more, covered in Part 1. Deploying fiber above ground on poles or towers removes the need for underground digging and is particularly useful when the ground is uneven, rocky or both. Fiber-optic cables are the backbone of modern connectivity—powering 5G networks, global internet backbones, and data center interconnections with near-light-speed data transmission. While these cables are engineered for durability (with some rated to last 25+ years), they are not invulnerable. As electrical professionals, most of us take fiber optic (FO) safety for granted. This document describes some basic safety information applicable to Optical fiber cable installation & storage.
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