Transcript UTITLITY LINE TECHNICIAN Pole Climbing UTIL 1010 Climbing Wood Poles Climbing wood poles is an essential skill that all line technicians need to master.

UTITLITY LINE
TECHNICIAN
Pole Climbing
UTIL 1010
Climbing Wood Poles
Climbing wood poles is an essential
skill that all line technicians need to
master. Here we will address
choosing the proper clothing and
equipment necessary for pole
climbing, inspecting the pole prior
to climbing and the proper
techniques for climbing wood poles.
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Personal Protective
Equipment
Personal protective
equipment should be worn
while climbing wood
poles. This includes hard hat,
safety glasses, long pants,
long sleeved shirt, leather
gloves and climbing boots.
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Protective Equipment
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Tools
The tools required for
climbing wood poles are the
climbers or hooks, a body
belt and a safety strap.
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Tools
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Gear Inspection
All tools should be visually inspected
before climbing the pole. If tools are
found to be defective, they should not
be used until repaired or replaced. The
climber’s gaffes or spikes should be
sharp with no nicks and the straps
should not show excess wear.
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Gear Inspection
The body belt should be inspected
for excess wear and improper
attachments, such as, temporary
metal hooks. The safety strap
should also not show excess wear
and the snaps should be the
double locking variety.
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Pole Inspection
Gaff protectors should not be removed
from the climbers until right before
ascending the pole. A visual inspection
of the area around the pole insures
that there are no hazards around the
base of the pole that could result in
injury in case of a fall. The pole should
also be carefully inspected.
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Pole Inspection
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Pole Inspection
Nails and staples from
temporary signs are
often left on the pole
and can cause the
gaffs to slip out. The
pole should also be
checked for cracks
and rotted wood that
may make the pole
hazardous to climb.
Use a tool to tap and listen
for cracks and rotted wood.
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing
Pole Inspection
If in your opinion the pole is
unsafe to climb, measures should
be taken to support the pole, or a
bucket truck should be brought in
to do the job.
Metropolitan Community College
Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing