For Official Use Only

Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

NBN-CON-GDE-1657 | Rev 2.0 | 29 MAY 15
Owner: Lance Parkes - Standards & Field Practices, Construction Standards & Processes
This build reference guide (BRG) provides a guide in relation to hauling cables and working with existing infrastructure. It references
rules and guidelines from the following documents:

NBN-TE-CTO-380: Underground Cable Installations

NBN-COO-P&D-490: Type 2.0 Architecture: Passive Network Design Rules

Note:

Before and during this task ensure all applicable safety requirements are followed.

Only those contractors with approved accreditation from the infrastructure owner are permitted to work on the network.

Do not deviate from the specifications provided, without prior approval from NBN.

Do not conduct any hauling activities involving infrastructure carrying live services, without first raising a hazard notification and
gaining approval from the relevant operator(s).

Do not commence digging without first checking for other assets via the Dial Before You Dig website or 1100 phone number.

NBN Co Limited 2015 | ACN 136 533 741

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This document is provided for information purposes only and its contents are subject to change. NBN Co does not make any representations or
warranties as to the currency, accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein or that the processes and information outlined comply
with all (or any) laws, codes of practice or standards. The recipient must make its own inquiries to satisfy itself as to the currency, accuracy and
completeness of this document and the information contained in it. The contents of this document should not be relied upon by any Delivery Partner
or any other person as a substitute for knowledge, experience, care, skill, or any other contractual or legal obligation. Not for general distribution.

For Official Use Only

NBN-CON-GDE-1657 | Rev 2.0

Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

Cable Installation Design

Ensure cable is installed in the correct duct as per the design.

Preparation

Prepare work site and work plan considering risk assessment/JSEA/Pre-start

and applicable SWMS.

Identify potential locations for reels and winches.

Identify potential locations for laying up and back feeding activities, and change
of cable directions.

Ensure cable is installed in the correct duct as per the design plan.

Set-up work locations in consideration of relevant risks, such as pedestrian and

traffic interaction, pit and manhole gas/contamination/access.

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NBN-CON-GDE-1657 | Rev 2.0

Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

Develop a cable pull plan, which

considers the following:

Route

Changes in elevation and the

locations of bends and duct offsets.
Note: Pulling cables from higher to
lower elevations will reduce hauling
tension

Attempt to keep the haul as straight as

possible to minimise hauling tension and
therefore allow for longer hauls of cable at
any one time.

Determine the expected hauling tensions.

Is there enough space remaining in the

pit/ manhole to complete the future
splicing activity?

Is the location suitable for a splice vehicle

to be located in close proximity to
complete the future splicing activity?

Will the finished haul impact on the

operation and access of existing
hardware?

Will the finished haul prevent access to

existing hardware?

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NBN-CON-GDE-1657 | Rev 2.0

Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

Care of Existing Infrastructure

Do not allow rope to intertwine with existing cables as this

damages cable sheaths.

Record and photograph any existing infrastructure that is

damaged or poorly installed.

Ensure you do not stand on or move lead cables as these

are old and brittle. This is very important as these cables
are under air pressure and the smallest crack can cause
exchange alarms and/or water entry to these cables.

Record and photograph any existing infrastructure that is

damaged or poorly installed or possible conflict.

When working near lead cables, minimise contact with

dust, water or the cables themselves, wash exposed body
parts regularly, and wash clothing.

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Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

Hauling Aids

Ensure the correct hauling aids, e.g. slippers and

rollers, are used when hauling fibre cables.

Set up hauling rollers at entry and exit points of pits /

manholes.
Note: Rollers can also be used to assist where a
change to direction is required.

Consider the risks associated with cable reels and

winches, such as moving parts and pinch-points.

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NBN-CON-GDE-1657 | Rev 2.0

Fit cable slippers into ducts where required to avoid

damage to duct entry or cable.

When the duct contains existing cables over which the

new cable/s are to be hauled, extreme care must be taken
to ensure that the existing cables are not damaged by the
hauling rope or cable/s during the hauling process.

Ensure only Kevlar rope or Spectra rope is used when

over hauling existing cables.

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Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

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Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

Damage

If Telstra plant is found damaged and unsafe, or damage has

occurred during NBN installations, make safe and report
damage to Telstra.
Telstra contact number: 132 203

Select suitable hauling equipment and work practices for use

in asbestos pits and ducts, such as smooth hauling.

Take care not to break asbestos rests or cross bars during

the cable install.

Note: If asbestos cable rests or crossbars are broken prior to the

NBN cable install, ensure:

photos are taken before the NBN cable is installed

the broken asbestos is reported to Telstra

they are removed as per the asbestos process and the cross
bars replaced

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Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

Cable Handling

Fibre optic cable is sensitive to excessive pulling, bending, and

crushing forces. Consult the cable specification sheet for the
cable you are installing.

During installation the cable must not exceed the bend radius
stipulated by the manufacturer.

During the installation the cable must not be subjected to any

activity that will cause the cable to kink or be deformed.

Ensure a change of direction loop is installed where the cable

enters and exits at the same end of the pit it entered or, when
the cable exits at the side of the pit regardless of the angle at
which the conduit exits the side of the pit.

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Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

Hauling Winches

When a hauling winch is used, it is mandatory to use a winch with a

calibrated maximum tension device. All winches must have a current
calibration certificate priory to any haul.

A dynamometer or in-line tension meter may also be used to monitor

tension in the pull-line near the winch. This device must be visible to the
winch operator or used to control the winch. Special winches are
available that monitor the tension remotely at the pulling eye via a wire
in the pull-line. Such winches may also provide a record of the tension
during pulls.

Lubricant shall be an approved product for cable hauling practices. Care

should be taken to avoid producing a slip hazard. Place an absorbent
material on the ground to collect and control excess lubricant.

Fibre optic cable should not be coiled in a continuous direction. The

preferred method is to use the figure-eight method. Cable should be
spooled off and laid out in a figure eight pattern and then fed by hand
into the duct. Traffic cones should be placed to guard the area to ensure
a safety barrier for workers and the public.

When laying up cable, consider the size and type of cable, bend radius
of cable, area required to lay up, pedestrian and vehicle traffic, weight of
cable and if cable contains a drum memory (coiling capacity and recoil
risk).

Ensure cable is not stepped on or jeopardised in any way whilst laying

on the ground in large loops or figure 8 configurations.

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Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

At Completion of Hauling Cable

Cable should be secured to cable rests - not run

straight through manholes. If no cable rests are
available, they should be installed.

DSS, HSD and HSL cables need to be labelled in all

pits larger than a 5 pit including manholes.

LSS cables need to be labelled at the LJL and AJL.

MSS cable needs to be labelled at the AJL and the

MPT.

Ensure any bare ends on cables left in pits and

manholes have end caps installed on them.

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Haul Cables and Care for Infrastructure BRG

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of instructions. Please see your site supervisor for more detailed information.
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