Learn more about the tools lineworkers need to power your power
1. INSULATED RUBBER GLOVES
Insulated rubber gloves are important for protecting against electric shock. These rubber gloves are made to protect against various levels of voltage. Gloves made out of tough leather are typically used over the rubber gloves to protect the rubber from damage.
2. CLIMBING SPIKES
Climbing spikes, also known as hooks, gaffs, climbers and spikes, are metal spikes that are strapped to a lineworker’s boots to help them climb utility poles. Climbers consist of a leg iron that wraps around the bottom of the foot and a spike, called a gaff, that sticks out of the leg iron near the climber’s ankle. The height of the leg iron can be made from steel, aluminum alloy, or titanium and it can be adjusted to suit the comfort of the lineworker. The spike, or gaff, is always made from steel so that it’s durable as it penetrates the utility pole.
3. HARD HAT AND GLASSES
Safety is our number one focus at OEC. Hard hats are an important piece of safety equipment that is used at all times. The outer shell of most hard hats is lightweight but durable to protect the head from falling debris and a blow from a fall. Sunglasses are essential for eye protection from debris and bright light flashes.
4. FALL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
Fall restraint systems use the climber’s body weight to mechanically cinch and lock a device around the utility pole to stop a fall if a lineman’s climbing spikes lose contact with the pole. The equipment provides a limited fall arrest, especially for bare sections of a pole where a climber could free fall for more than two feet.
5. CLIMBING BELT AND HARNESS
When climbing utility poles, it is important for lineworkers to use climbing belts and harnesses to prevent falls. Quality belts, harnesses and straps should be used that can effectively support the weight of the workers.
6. SECONDARY LANYARD
Lanyards are flexible ropes or straps that connect the harness to an anchor, lifeline, or deceleration device. Lanyards help lineworkers reposition the fall restraint lanyard around an impeding object and maintain a constant point of contact.
Share this article
Read more articles from the Co-op News:
Right Tree, Right Place | OEC News
Learn how planting the right tree in the right place can save up to 20% on energy costs for homeowners. OEC is committed to safe and reliable energy and provides tips on proper vegetation management practices.
Engaging Education | OEC News
OEC and OEC Fiber sponsored a STEM Maker Night featuring hands-on making and STEM activities focused on electricity, attracting over 100 attendees. Engage Learning’s project-based learning approach provides students with real-world problem-solving skills, inspiring a new generation of innovators.
Power You Can Count On | OEC News
Recent data shows that OEC members experienced an average outage time of 65.1 minutes for the entire year, exactly half of what it was in 2016, while investor-owned utility customers were without power 175 percent longer. OEC’s score of 58.1 places us in the top 20 percent of most reliable electric co-ops in the nation. Learn about our efforts to provide safe, reliable, and reasonably priced electric service, innovative energy programs, and exceptional member service.
Powering Up | OEC News
Winter Storm Uri left a trail of destruction in the United States, especially in the utility industry. Find out how fuel costs, demand charges, and other factors affect your electricity rates and what Oklahoma Electric Cooperative is doing to ensure reliable access to power at an affordable cost.