The Benchmark Standard of Training

Climbing Wood Poles and One Hundred Percent Attachment

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A snap shot of within the power delivery industry, July 2009

Mike Hennesey, California Campus President

Electrical power line installers and repairers (lineworkers) is listed as the eighth most hazardous occupation in the US as reported by the Bureau of Labor Sta-tistics (BLS). With approximately 444 serious injuries and 74 fatalities estimat-ed annually by OSHA, lineworkers face serious risk of death and/or injuries due to electrocution and falls.

With more work being performed from aerial lift trucks, lineworkers are climb-ing less frequently than in the past. As a result, lineworkers are not climbing enough to maintain adequate skill levels and are now more susceptible to falls. Utility companies across the US have recognized this problem and asked man-ufacturers to provide solutions.

Companies such as Buckingham, Bashlin, Miller and Jelco developed devices to eliminate the hazards of falling from wood poles. Of all the devices devel-oped, the Buckingham BuckSqueeze has emerged as the most popular with utility companies in the US. Northwest Lineman College’s California Campus conducted an assessment of the BuckSqueeze with favorable results. First, implementation of the device is rapid. The design is such that in just a few minutes, experienced lineworkers can demonstrate its proper use and applica-tion with little problem. In a training environment, the use of the BuckSqueeze noticeably improves trainee confi dence when working at height. This means that trainee focus and cognition is improved at a critical time—when he or she is at poletop. In addition, fall tests revealed that the BuckSqueeze elimi-nated students from falling more than 2 feet. When used in conjunction with the Buckingham throw line or similar device, a lineworker can safely and easily transition over obstacles while maintaining 100 percent fall protection.

Background

The Benchmark Standard of Training

lineman.edu

The Benchmark Standard of Training

OSHA

In 2005 OSHA reviewed standards regarding personal fall arrest devices. Currently in the Federal Register (FR 1926 Subpart V) OSHA is considering a regulation that would require work positioning equipment to be rigged so that the employee can free fall no more than 0.6 meters (2 feet). If adopted, state OSHA programs (i.e. Cal OSHA) would have 180 days to respond with a standard as protective in the wording or adoption of the federal standard.

Representatives from Northwest Lineman College recently participated in the Western Regional Training and Safety Alliance Conference hosted by San Di-ego Gas and Electric Company. The topics and discussions of the conference were primarily related to fall protection and restraint. Because falls are one of the most signifi cant hazards lineworkers face, an increasing number of utili-ties are implementing safety devices such as the Buckingham BuckSqueeze fall protection system.

Ninety percent of the utilities that attended the Western Regional Training and Safety Alliance Conference in San Diego were utilizing some form of per-sonal fall arrest or 100 percent attachment. Below is a listing of some of the companies in attendance and their current position in regard to 100 percent attachment methods:

Southern California Edison (SCE)Using the Jelco personal fall arrest device for apprentices and the Bucking-ham throw line for journeymen.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)Using the BuckSqueeze personal fall arrest device for apprentices and the Buckingham throw line for journeymen.

San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E)Using the BuckSqueeze personal fall arrest device for apprentices and the Buckingham throw line for journeymen.

Redding Electric Utilities (REU)Currently assessing various products of personal fall arrest devices.

Pacifi c Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)Currently assessing personal fall arrest systems; 100 percent attachment with Buckingham throw line for all fi eld personnel.

Seattle City LightUsing the BuckSqueeze personal fall arrest device for apprentices.

City of Banning, CAUsing the BuckSqueeze personal fall arrest device for apprentices.

BC HYDROUsing the Jelco personal fall arrest device for all employees.

Western Regional Training and

Safety Alliance Conference

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The Benchmark Standard of Training

Companies currently using BuckSqueeze

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Below is a list of just some of the major utilities in the U.S. that have imple-mented the Bucksqueeze fall protection system in training and/or in opera-tions:

Ameron Progress EnergyNational GridGeorgia PowerPublic Services Electric & Gas Duke Energy First Energy Dominion Virginia Power Seattle City LightGreen Mountain Power Tampa Electric AEP Avista Iowa Association of Municipal Association Entergy BG&E PPL PEPCO Consumers Energy KCP&L DTE Energy (Detroit Edison) PECO Alabama PowerHawaii Electric Company

Conclusion

The fact that a lineworker can fall from a structure and risk serious injury or death, at a time when the products and technology exists to prevent it, is un-acceptable. Manufacturers have answered the call of utilities and developed 100 percent attachment products that are aff ordable and relatively easy to implement. In time, these products will only improve. It is clear that enough utility companies in the US have adopted 100 percent attachment standards that it can now be classifi ed as an industry best practice.

Northwest Lineman College7600 S. Meridian Rd.

Meridian, ID 83642P. 208.888.4817F. 208.888.4275

Int’l. 001.208.888.4817nlc@lineman.edu

www.lineman.edu