UTITLITY LINE TECHNICIAN Pole Climbing UTIL 1010

Metropolitan Community College Utility Line Technician: Pole Climbing 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.