UTITLITY LINE TECHNICIAN

Pole ClimbingUTIL 1010

Metropolitan Community CollegeUtility 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 CollegeUtility Line Technician: Pole Climbing

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal 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 CollegeUtility Line Technician: Pole Climbing

Protective Equipment

Metropolitan Community CollegeUtility 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 CollegeUtility Line Technician: Pole Climbing

Tools

Metropolitan Community CollegeUtility 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 CollegeUtility 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 CollegeUtility 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 CollegeUtility Line Technician: Pole Climbing

Pole Inspection

Metropolitan Community CollegeUtility Line Technician: Pole Climbing

Pole InspectionNails 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 listenfor cracks and rotted wood.

Metropolitan Community CollegeUtility 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.