This article explains the common aerial cable types, the hardware you'll actually use on poles and span ends, and the safety practices that keep crews and the network safe — nothing more, nothing less. The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. (FOA) was founded in 1995 to help develop the workforce to build the fiber optic networks to support a rapid expansion in communications and the Internet. The charter of the FOA was to promote professionalism in fiber optics through education, certification, and. 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. These may be considerably different from those of the copper cable. Aerial work mixes mechanical engineering (span, sag, tension), careful selection of cable types. ons, and company safety practices and policies. Failure to do so can result in life-threat t truck or on a ladder so that it cannot fall. Materials and equipment should not unnec lled for in your company's safety proced s and, if necessary, lineman's rubber gloves. Use the leather gloves when. Introduction This Program provides supervision, employees and safety managers with general safety rules, task safety procedures and best techniques for installation of quality fiber optic cable systems (cable handling, splicing, pulling, terminating testing and trouble shooting tasks).