Climbing Wooden Poles

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In order to climb safely and efficiently, a lineworker needs to understand and practice climbing techniques. This program introduces methods used for climbing wooden poles with a fall restraint, as well as non-fall restraint climbing. The program demonstrates proper techniques for placing gaffes on a pole, safetying-on and off a pole, methods of adjusting a fall restraint while working on a pole, and the basic technique of maneuvering around a pole.

COURSE GOALS

  • Demonstrate and explain the basic techniques for climbing a wooden pole

  • Demonstrate and explain proper techniques for ascending, descending, and maneuvering around a pole with a fall restraint device

  • Demonstrate the proper techniques to safety-on and -off, and adjust the length of a safety strap.

  • Demonstrate how a climber installs a crossarm on a bare pole.

SUBJECTS AND OBJECTIVES

Pole Climbing Equipment

  • Recognize and identify the basic equipment used for climbing wooden poles.

  • Demonstrate two methods of determining the proper fit of a body belt.

  • Demonstrate how to determine the proper fit of climbers.

  • List and explain the basic components of a safety strap.

Use, Maintenance, and Inspection of Climbing Equipment

  • Demonstrate and explain the proper way to wear climbers.

  • Demonstrate and explain the techniques of sharpening, gauging, and testing gaffs.

  • Demonstrate and explain the process of inspecting a fall restraint device.

  • Explain the basic considerations for inspecting equipment prior to climbing.

Basic Climbing Techniques – Part 1

  • Demonstrate and explain the basic guidelines for storing and attaching a safety strap or lanyard.

  • Demonstrate and explain the basic techniques for belted climbing with a fall restraint.

  • Demonstrate and explain what to do when a gaff gets stuck in a pole.

Basic Climbing Techniques – Part 2

  • Demonstrate and explain the basic technique of maneuvering around a pole.

  • Demonstrate and explain the proper techniques for safetying-on and safetying-off.

  • Demonstrate and explain the basic technique of maneuvering past an obstacle.

  • Describe how climbing using a Buckingham SuperSqeeze, a Jelco Pole Choker, and a Bashlin Pole Lariat differs from one another.

Basic Climbing Techniques – Part 3

  • Explain the situations where a lineworker may be required to make a free ascent.

  • Demonstrate and explain the basic techniques for making a free ascent and a free descent.

  • Demonstrate and explain the basic methods of adjusting a safety strap while working on a pole.

Climbing on the Job

  • Demonstrate and explain how to install a crossarm while working from a pole.

  • Demonstrate and explain how to inspect a pole.

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Alternating Current Fundamentals

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Safety in Transmission and Distribution Maintenance