Gloving 12 kv off of pole

[adamr_41]

Just wondering how many of you guys company policy allows gloving 12 kv from pole. And how many of you actually do it.
I have done this several times but from what I hear, it is not normal procedure for most people.

[Roy56]

Off of a baker board, never off the pole.:eek:

[powerhotdog]

[QUOTE=Swamprat;32663]Well,
I've Gloved 13.2, which is 7200 Phase to ground,

Swamp I believe 7200 is 12,470 phase to phase

[Koga]

We dont glove anything off the pole except secondary voltages. Last time I checked, 7.62 phase to ground around here is 13.2 phase to phase. Unless they changed it and didnt tell me .

Koga

[tolex42]

Well,
I've Gloved 13.2, which is 7200 Phase to ground, off the pole, many, many, many times. That's what we did, and still do. Backlot.

Cause.... the Company that hired us...Their boys, didn't do that type of work.

In your case, bein a Troubleman. NO. I wouldn't do that shit. Assumin, you're workin ALONE as a Troubleman.

Let me see if I have this right...................

"The Company that hired us.... Their boys, didn't do that type of work."

What I'm hearing is the utility company employees probably had it in their contract that they would not glove 7200 off of a pole..... a you nonunion guys went in their breaking down there safety conditions....... thanks a lot for your absence of solidarity!

[Bull Dog]

We used to have some hero's who gloved 7970 of the pole till they had a accident then that stupid shit quit. My take on it is don't do it. 2400 I suppose that is fine. Bucket truck or baker board anything else is just plain stupid. I don't know why this continues to be done. Lots of us wouldn't do it and we were the chicken ones but now who's your daddy. Yes were union and yes we have a say on safety.

[electric squirrel]

Out here in Cali , locals 47 and 1245 , it's nothing over 4 kv. 12 kv and more is done from a board or with sticks. I see lots of tramps come out here and do things they "can do back home" but our contract states what it states,nothing over 4kv. I aint saying it cant be done but why break down the conditions, I agree with Tolex 100% E.S.:cool: 16 days

[Pootnaigle]

We usta glove 4 KV off the pole never 13( never had 12) anyways the rules have changed n now even 4 Kv hasta be worked from an insulated device or platform. I kinda hafta agree about those Rat contractors glovin 7620 offa pole. It undermines the safety programs of the utilities Mite help em get through a lil faster but let the right Utility guy see it and You wont be workin for that Utility much longer.And I have heard of some of those fools doin the same thing with 19.9 . That surely cuts your margins to the bone. Only a rat would even consider that kinda crap. Its the Utilities responsibility to get the work done safely so lettem or make em whichever is needed

[tolex42]

We used to have some hero's who gloved 7970 of the pole till they had a accident then that stupid shit quit. My take on it is don't do it. 2400 I suppose that is fine. Bucket truck or baker board anything else is just plain stupid. I don't know why this continues to be done. Lots of us wouldn't do it and we were the chicken ones but now who's your daddy. Yes were union and yes we have a say on safety.


Right on Bull Dog

[scammy]

gloving off a pole is not too good ,,you guys say you do it with 4 kv but not 7200,,,,,,4 kv is more dangerous than 7200,,,,,its the amps that kill,,,,always use a board ,,ground when ya can ,,bucket when ya can,,,all ya all be carefull,,,scammy

[lewy]

In Ontario you canot glove anything over 5 kv phase to phase on a pole, so if you are working on a single phase line at 4.8 kv you cannot glove it off the pole. Yes it is the current that kills, but you need a difference of potential to have current flow.

[maddog369]

If you are goin to do primary work off hooks, usualy done grounded if possible (4kv) any higher voltage grounded every time. State law in Mass.

[LEAFMAN]

In ontario, Canada we are only permited to work up to 5kv off the pole.

[west coast hand]

that's not good practice in fact its plan dumb a good way to get killed wheres you second point of contact think about it your on a ground gloving 7200 thats putting alot of trust in you gloves??? we do alot of backyard work alot 4kv but we do have 12 and 16 and we use a bakerboard or stick it

[Bull Dog]

Swamp old pal now don't take it personally I wasn't talking about you.. I was referin to someone i worked with. We who know this trade and don't post just to get under someone's skin we been there and done that. Think about it were your pal and know everyone does it different. The guy I was talkin about was just doing what you said you did on a single phase pole in back lot. No baker board nothing. His rubber glove failed they found him hanging upside down on the pole unconsious. He survived with a bad hand. He never gloved it off pole again and neither did anyone else at our company. There are good reasons these rules are made I know its easier and we all would like to take short cuts at times but It only takes one freak thing to happen and your wife is a widow. Im shure many others are reading this and learning from this site and thats a good thing. So before you make a opinion on here stop and think.

[warpig]

And we wonder why we are still dying out there. It's as safe as you make it.

[PK270]

The rule where I grew up was never glove off a pole period, but we used to cover live front tx's with gloves. I know we were not gloving the live front while covering but still the same amount of trust was put into the rubber. That was a utility, contractors I have worked for since do not allow it.

[scammy]

tolex,,,,no they didnt come in trying to break any rules ,,,,,the company took advantage of them and asked them to do what thier guys wouldnt,,,,companys take advantage of contractors because they feel that they have no liability for them ,,once they are hired,,,,and for the record ,a contractors life is of the same value as mine ,,,we are all brothers,,,,scammy

[CPOPE]

The Company that hired the Contractor I worked for, didn't glove 7200 off the pole.

Honestly...I don't think it's any big deal, really. And there ain't no macho shit at all, involved in that statement.

Sorry...
I just don't get all the fuss......

Swamprat, you are not far off the mark. It can be done and it shouldn't be that much of a fuss.

Part of your tailboard should be to review the tasks, associated hazzards and steps that can be taken to mitigate said hazzards.

Please rember anything can fail at anytime. I mean that there is a good proability that something can go wrong at any time. Loss of control of a phase conductor, your on hooks there is a good proability you are going to be lowered off the pole via a handline and into a body bag. DO your hazzard analysis. Layer your mitigation against hazzards. If your gloves fail and you are standang on a board rether than hooks you have a second layer of protection, Wear your hooks over dielectric boots rather than use a diveboard.

It can be done safely just be fully aware of the hazzards. The flying Wolynidas do it without a net you don't have to. Work it dead and grounded if at all practiable. Mutliply your risk mitigation for redundancy so is somthing goes wrong you have a backup.

Follow the link brother. Read and understand. Question everything.



http://www.msha.gov/training/trainingtips/risk%20analysis.pdf

[Pootnaigle]

This is a load of bullshit if I ever heard one.ANYTIME you glove primary voltage off the pole you are placing all your faith in a Damn pair of rubber gloves that May or may not be in tip top shape. I dont wanna hear that they were tested just last week by the company............ this is the same damn company thats cuttin so many corners they go inna circle( Purdy much covers em all) How you know you didnt pick up a splinter on the way up??? do you realize that you are bettin the farm onnem. Want a new daddy fer yer kids???? Maybe a new lover for yer wife. Who stands to benefit from this crap ?? You or your company? I aint no flyin Molinda nor do I wanna be one. I reguard them guys as daredevils. Wanna work with Daredevils????? prolly not....... .Many years ago when the IBEW was formed the death rate for linemen was enormus Its now on a more reasonable and manageable scale, Those of you that do this undermine Saftey for your fellow workers to the max.And while you may think of yourselfs as warriors I think of you as Idiots.

[Koga]

never have and aint gonna start.

Koga

[harley]

It seems to me that we always try to have multiple layers of protection.
Hot stick and an air gap... Rubber gloves and a bakers board.... rubber gloves and an insulated truck..... Rubber gloves and a ground mat. The list goes on. I for one would not teach any ape to glove primary off the wood, the risk is not worth the reward. Why expose yourself to more hazards than is absolutely necessary.

[Outlaw Lineman]

When training apes in the 4 KV I would put them in the bucket and work from the pole myself. There is a greater safety margin for them in the bucket when learning to handle that nasty sh!t. Don't get me wrong the bucket is the way to go if possible.

[LINETRASH]

I just wont do it.

Too many "ifs" involved.

I can see if you got the neutral and pole bond out of the work area, how it could be somewhat safer, but that is'nt always possible.

I know of a guy who was gloving off the pole, had a phase jump out of the temporary fiberglass arm and strike him in the back of the neck.

He was in contact with the pole bond at the time, and it killed him.

This was an experienced journeyman who was up the angle pole 'cause he felt he was the most qualified and needed to be the one to do it.

Now having said that, let me qualify my remarks by saying I've done things I am not proud of, short of calling them stupid, as I dont want to insult anybody who does glove off the pole.

I have stood on the lip of the bucket, climbed out of the bucket onto a transmission pole over hot primary (covered) , moved transformers and potheads hot, I cringe at the thought of me walking across the arm of a trasmission structure with no safety.

I have done all these things and more in the interest of getting the job done, for lack of equipment, or other reasons.

I know there are lots of things that can hurt you out there, but gloving off the pole is just not something even I would ever consider.

[scammy]

backyard buckets,,,,,and hot boards,,,,anything else is just stupid,,,scammy

[TexasNightTrain]

And to think that several years ago, we wuz glovin 19.9 single phase off of hooks.
Now that I'm older and more experienced, I wonder why the hell we even allowed that thought to exist.:mad:

[TMB]

Wait John, I thought you didnt climb at all......or did you mean you watched the other guys glove it....Why don't you go back into the porta John (coincidence?)and let us real linemen do the work...okay? And furthermore, you must have been a bunch of mental midgets to glove 33 off your hooks, dumbass. Basically, I am calling you a liar. Oops, did I say that? I must have. Now, I hear it told that you just learned how to climb a year or whatever ago so you could get some union deal? Man, that would be a bitch to have to do that after being a lineman...I mean a counterfit son of a bitch.....for a lot of years....

Go sell bullshit somewhere else dude, some real linemen might want to talk now.

Tata

[TMB]

yeah, John is Texaslineworker and TexasNight Train .... you sick bastard, night train?

[LostArt]

You got a stalker TNT? :D They come outta no where sometimes. :D

[PSE Lineman]

I just couldn't stay out of this stupid arguement. Anyone that gloves off wood is asking to get in trouble. Is it because you don't know to stick it? Most of the hands that come to 77 from around the country that came from gloving places don't know how to use sticks. Big macho linemen won't admit it. If you don't know how to use hot sticks why don't you learn? Go ahead and keep gloving off wood , but don't expect me to bleed for you when we read about you in the newspaper......

[Special ED]

Gloving off the pole for me comming up was common practice. The damn baker boards are a pain in the ass to work on and set up right with alot of equipment on the pole. So we would cover everything up and make them poles look like rubber trees before work would begin.

I do agree its a matter of opinion but theres alot of times we are unable to switch out lines and ground and I would love to do that everytime but I can't so I make due and be a safe as I possibly can. We are now required to used baker boards and I'm OK with it when working from the pole but sometimes its just not practical. I do agree with swampy I draw the line at 13.8 though. Theres a few aroud here that used to do the 34kv from the pole and thats just stupid!

Work safe, and cover your own ass.

[snatch1]

You're right CPOPE,
"Anything can fail at any time". Like the brakes on my car....comin to work.

Glovin off the pole, is a "Professional Lineman" thing. Some of ya out there call it "Stupid". Your opinion.

Runnin into a burning building to save peoples live can be called "Stupid" too. But God Bless em...there's men that do that.

With the correct precautions, education, and safety equipment, there's nothing wrong with it. Personal opinion of course.

I personally draw the line at 13.8 KV off the pole. That's 7620 Phase to ground...with 20KV Gloves. I know and trust my equipment, and I know my ability.

It's just a "Personal" Call. Whether ya will or ya won't. And I ain't got a problem with either one.

AND...OSHA ain't got the Balls to make an actual RULE, not a friggin "guideline", about what can and CANNOT be Gloved off the pole.

So....
That's why we are at,....where we are at today. Opinions are like assholes. Everybody's got one. There should be a Rule. BUT? Who's gonna make it?....And Who's gonna Break it.......

got your will up to date??

[MGrossinger]

That has to be about the stupidest thing I have heard in a long time. People gloving primary voltage from the pole off hooks. Wow!! Just wait till you get a pin hole in your glove sometime that you miss. Yeah, it probably can be done, cuz I'm sure some of you morons out there have done it. Go work in Iraq or something. With all the emphasis on safety these days, OSHA, and everything else I find this totally unbelievable. Wow.

[RDawgs]

WE still glove 12.4/7.2 from pole in hooks not to often because of Buckets but our safety rules allow it. Work Safe if it's not Don't do it!!!!!! P.S. Been a Lineman for 23 yrs.

[RDawgs]

To those who never were trained properly to work off a pole gloving 12.4kv7.2kv have no right to Call a Journeyman who can an Idiot! If you Can't do the job your either an apprentice or should get Half the Journeymans wages!!!! we all hot stick we just do it at 34kv and up!!! 24.9/14.4kv we do by glove out of buckets or if no buckets availible we stick it off pole! P.S. Its Funny those who can't do the Job......CALL THE ONES WHO CAN; IDIOTS! HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM wrong line of work maybe!

[Pootnaigle]

To those who never were trained properly to work off a pole gloving 12.4kv7.2kv have no right to Call a Journeyman who can an Idiot! If you Can't do the job your either an apprentice or should get Half the Journeymans wages!!!! we all hot stick we just do it at 34kv and up!!! 24.9/14.4kv we do by glove out of buckets or if no buckets availible we stick it off pole! P.S. Its Funny those who can't do the Job......CALL THE ONES WHO CAN; IDIOTS! HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM wrong line of work maybe!


Reason I called you an idiot is cause you are for cutting your saftey margin to the bare bone.As far as training goes theres little difference in working secondary and primary off the pole.The flash wont be as spectacular if you mess sumpin up on secondary and you wont affect as many customers when you burn it down. And I spoze every lineman can work that,You on the other hand are a hotdog PROUD of your death defying stunt.I can only hope that something unforseen doesnt happen and leave you and your Brave self rightgeous self holding the bag.Most of us can do the same thing but choose not to because we know the likelyhood of going home in that unforseen event would be signifiganty less off a pole.

[RDawgs]

I'm not here to piss anyone off! I well understand the risk of my Job and all safety aspects of it! If I didn't, I would sure as Heck get out of Line work!!! I would never do anything unsafe or ask anyone else to. But I guess I came up with different training, apperently and I personally don't see a problem with it! I agree with you about gloving off a pole, The board or bucket is better but there is time its Impossible (or sticks) But I have done it for years if I Had to!!!:) One Thing I do Know If You think Line work Is a Stunt You need a new Job!

[RDawgs]

Sorry you guys don't have the same rules or training, or are maybe Cable tv installers. LMAO JOURNEYMAN MY ASS! IBEW all the way....P.S. Do they Have Elec In CANADUH!!!!! LMAO:)

[RDawgs]

Been Doing Line work since 1984 turned Journeyman in 1988 IBEW, I come from a very strong Union Family, My Father Union Ironworker for 30 years and is since retired. My Brother Union Police officer. I am 44 Years old and a Damn Proud LINEMAN! I Hate Repeating myself but... Our rules allow it! not saying we do it all the Time! But I will never ask anyone who see's a problem doing it either!!!! Our rules State: Everyone has the right to refuse any work they feel is unsafe!!!! does anyone here know how to write it in CANADIAN!

[PK270]

union or non have anything to do with it. It is amazing you union guys always throw that card out and the guy is UNION, I bet that busts you bubble.

Union guys want to unite the trade???? Look at your posts, you realy are drawing them in with that sh stuff.

Funny

[RDawgs]

:) TY Nice Reply!!!! and The Truth!!

[RDawgs]

Please look it up! The Union Is a group Being one! NOT ABOUT seperation like some in here. To many people look at there own needs now a days not There Brothers or sisters. Thats the Problem! Go back to the meaning of a Union!!!! Its not about yourself its working together as one. The world would change 180 degree's if you stand and support each other. Its not about Just You! and Your Benefits Its ALL AS ONE! =UNION:D

[Swollen Tongue]

It makes no sense to glove 12kv off the wood. I'm not gonna say I've never done it because I have on a few occasions. Done it because I was too damn lazy to move the hot board. Decided about 15 yrs ago that the few min. saved wasn't worth the risk.Don't do it anymore and won't let anyone I'm working with do it.

[RDawgs]

apprentice lineman:)

[RDawgs]

Nothing to prove No need for wannabe whiner's:D

[surfinlineman]

It is specifically against our RED book for LU 1245 and 47, which is all of CAL and part of Nev. It is also against Cal osha and I am pretty sure it is against federal osha. But I'll have to double check on the fed as my books are all in storage, I just got back from 5 months of vacation, and will be signing the books tomorrow. Also, it has to be an insulated platform, not just a standard baker board as some of our guys got in a bit of trouble with a few years back. Oh yeah, don't forget to check your class of gloves when start breakin the rules or do you check them, or test them, air and water, or check dates, cuz if you're gonna cheat you probably are worried about saving a couple minutes and LORD knows you don't want to waste time inspecting your gloves, or tools or cover or the pole or the structures on either side or have a tailboard.........
Lets keep the union stuff in the right forum. I've seen enough "union" boys breaking rules to know we aren't angels.

[RDawgs]

I'm in Wisconsin! Whats OSHA Say? 12.4/7.2 off pole thx for input!!!

[scammy]

rdawg,,,,stiking off the pole is like using a hotboard,,,,,,the topic is,,,,,,,,,,,gloving off the pole ,,,,scammy

[RDawgs]

I was Talking about gloving...... do ta do.....

[RDawgs]

Who Cares what you Think Canadian wanna be!

[Bull Dog]

Ok Ive posted on this one time but after reading a little I have to ask you all a question. You guys who glove 7970 off the pole do you think you might change your mind about that little rubber protecting you if you seen a guy upside down hanging on a pole like I have? Forget the union stuff take it to another thread. They never ask at the fueneral if he was union or not. Lets stay on topic and quit getting into a pissing match. I have the utmost respect for swamp but hes wrong don't listen to him. I'm shure he wouln't tell someone else there anyless a lineman beacuse they take extra time to hang a board. Would you swamp. Yes i,m union in case anyone wonders.

[scammy]

ok ,,I may have miss inturpided,raw dog,,Oh I am not beyound making a mistake,,,,,but gloviving of the pole is just plain stupid....so you get burned or killed ......do you really think any single costomer is going to give a shit?dont you care about your family? or what you teach the apes? this trade dont need cowboys,,,,,,we need lineman,,,,,scammy

[woody]

O.K. just because it's been done before...what makes it SOP...(standard operating procedure) ?; WHAT IT'S NOT... Well WHY? HA! WELL>>>WELL>>> good fortune to those that got away with it and good luck to those that try it. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing and common sense and knowledge are hopefully a safe work practice. Man imagine that... qualified workers working safe...using safe working practices! Well Shit...what's the direction we're goin? woody

[US & CA Tramp]

There is a document that is used by the electrical industry, OSHA, NESC, and the court system called an IEEE document (International Electrical and Electronics Engineers). I don't recall the exact number, but I think it is IEEE1048. In that document the international electrical community states that anything over 5KV phase to phase shall be worked on from an Insulated device, such as bucket trucks and spring boards that have been tested just like any other "Hotstick". You don't think the contractors and utilities buy this expensive equipment just so we are comfortable do you? Just My 2 cents worth.
US & CA Tramp

[scammy]

I for one aint trying to give anyone a hard time ,,we had a lineman killed while working off the pole ,,be carefull guys ,,scammy

[19jarhead91]

I've found over the years that, "Generally", people that tout their accomplishments in such a manner as RD, have an inferiority complex.

[Swollen Tongue]

Yes we all have bent the rules in the past. union/nonunion all guilty. But what it really comes down to is that just because we are capable of doing something doesn't mean we should. Yes it nice to knock the job out, hit the ground and tell jokes and drink a coke. The fact is 7.2 ain't something to take shortcut with. You can always hang a hot board. No excuse not to. Be careful out there, people at home are depending on you.

[Miami Bear]

I'm training to become and intermediate apprentice for Florida Power and Light and we've been taught never to glove primary off the pole. If we are working with primary off the pole, we better have our hotsticks.

It makes alot of sense to me personally. Even if you check your gloves before every climb, what happens if they somehow get punctured on the way up? Is it likely? Probably not. But why risk it? We get paid by the hour, not by the job. Might as well take our time to ensure safety and get back to our families.

[scammy]

miami you are a wise man,,,,scammy

[Special ED]

We have gloved primary 4Kv - 12Kv off the pole and its not too bright but it can be done. Yes we have jack boards, spring boards or what ever you want to call them but in my 7 years on the system I have yet to see one tested and none of them have the pole in the middle for your safety. The poles have been broken or lost through the years. But without them (the pole) you have to saftey off around the actual wood pole but then theres the dilema. Whats the dielectric strength of your safety?

Needless to say that and alot of other reasons is why I'm trying to get out west and work with a good company in the Tucson area. If anyone knows of a company besides SRP let me know.

Special Ed aka The Donk

[RDawgs]

WE still glove 12.4/7.2 from pole in hooks not to often because of Buckets but our safety rules allow it. Work Safe if it's not Don't do it!!!!!! P.S. Been a Lineman for 23 yrs.

LoL! makes good conversation I see! can You Read this above IF ITS NOT SAFE DON'T DO IT!!!!!! Is That Plain enough? If not it scares me your Lineman! :D

[RDawgs]

I'm not here to piss anyone off! I well understand the risk of my Job and all safety aspects of it! If I didn't, I would sure as Heck get out of Line work!!! I would never do anything unsafe or ask anyone else to. But I guess I came up with different training, apperently and I personally don't see a problem with it! I agree with you about gloving off a pole, The board or bucket is better but there is time its Impossible (or sticks) But I have done it for years if I Had to!!!:) One Thing I do Know If You think Line work Is a Stunt You need a new Job!

Read the whole post before Replying!:D TY

[RDawgs]

ok ,,I may have miss inturpided,raw dog,,Oh I am not beyound making a mistake,,,,,but gloviving of the pole is just plain stupid....so you get burned or killed ......do you really think any single costomer is going to give a shit?dont you care about your family? or what you teach the apes? this trade dont need cowboys,,,,,,we need lineman,,,,,scammy

I guess I don't understand? times have changed when a Journeyman of 6yrs line experience thinks he knows it all! we call them journeyman apprentice til atleast 10 yrs. in, but thats ok. P.S.Talk to me when you get 24 years Newbe:D

[Special ED]

Rdawgs... So basically your saying no one amounts to anything unless they have been in the trade as long as you? I'm sorry but where do you come off with setting those standards. Your comming across as the typical blow hards I see spouting off about how great they are and what all they can do. Well that does not amuse nor does it impress me. I let my work do my talking for me. 7 years in the trade and I have learned that linework can be done many ways. Here at home some standards are diffrent compared to elsewhere. Some think ours are dangerous and we think some of theirs are dangerous. Bottom line theres more than one way to skin a cat.

Have you ever worked on the road Rdawgs?

[Orgnizdlbr]

Ya know, I really think it just comes down to "how you were raised" in Linework. Union guys really dislike Non Union Linemen,....because....we're sorta boomers, and don't "toe" the Union philosophy.... so they take every chance to slam us.

Honestly? I've seen more linemen get burnt workin out of a bucket than I've ever seen get burnt glovin off a pole. It's not like it's a "daily routine thing", and I just don't get all the fuss like I said a while back. Those Linemen that don't...I ain't got problem 1 with them. Why all the rash of shit for some of us that do on occassion?:confused:

I was raised to use Hot Arms, and Hot Hoists and Taught how to Glove off the pole.

Here's a post I wrote a couple pages back. As far as osha...if they had at least 1 Ball, they'd make a RULE for all companys regarding Gloving off the pole. But they don't. That's why we get into these "discussions". "I'm Stupid, and you're SAFE". Well, "carry on".

" I always thought it was a "Catch 22", sorta situation. Still don't understand it.

The Company that hired the Contractor I worked for, didn't glove 7200 off the pole.

Honestly...I don't think it's any big deal, really. And there ain't no macho shit at all, involved in that statement.

As an example.
3 Phase back lot crossarm changeout...off Hooks.

Gut up the phases, hang a couple "Glass arms", to move A and C phase to.

Screwdrivers in the top of the pole for B Phase.

The only actual "Contact" ...WITH 20KV Gloves....was when we untied the phase from the Insulator, and re-tied it back.

Sorry...
I just don't get all the fuss......"

Swamp, sorta off subject but, when have you ever heard me slam a non-union lineman? Have you ever heard me say I dislike non-union lineman?

I'm curious, if I have, I apologize. We are all brothers in this trade. Ive been in the trade 35 plus years, Ive never looked down my nose at a non-union lineman.

[Orgnizdlbr]

LMAO....fair enough bro, I musta been having a "senior moment"

[Swollen Tongue]

Gotta agree with Rdawg somewhat on the experience aspect of this conversation. Not meaning to put anyone down and I might have been a dumbass, but it took me about ten years as a journeyman before I felt like I had the confidence and knowledge to deal with whatever situation came my way. Not so much in the day to day work but more like figgering out the jijsaw puzzels you get like when a car hits a three phase junction pole, breaks it in a couple places, everything is still hot and it has a 250 pair telephone trunk attached. Its sitting there quivering waiting to cut your head off. But thats just me.

[Special ED]

Some have a slower learning curve compared to others. Years of service dont always mean more experience. I've seen guys that skated through everything and now they are in postions to make choices over things they have no clue about.. For example..

I was reconductoring a small town outside of Louisville,KY upgrading the wire size from 1/0 ACSR to 336 alluminum. All of it was 3 phase and there was a bank on every pole. And here I was a B class lineman with a forman who only did trouble work in his past along with another crew consisting of a forman with 30+ years and owned his own company, a A class lineman who had no reconductoring experience and a equipment operator.

Myself and the A class did all the bucket work and when it came time to move wire the A class was asking me what to do and the Senior forman on the job would be such a nervous wreck he would say "I'll be right back I have to go take a shit." everytime we were about to do anything. Seems to me like a man with as much experience as himself would know that more eyes on the job the better and with his observation he might stop us from making a big mistake. But the sad thing is this "Senior" forman had no clue and was scared because of that. It ended up my forman and myself finished the job cause the "Senior" ended up quiting due to the stress.

So basically your years in the trade mean shit to me. Yeah it might mean you have learned alot or it could mean you just didn't do the work and got away with it for this long. Don't come a bragging about how long you been a lineman and how no one can talk to you till youve been in the trade 24 years. You make it sound as if your the great and all knowing which I'm affraid to say that is not the case. It is impossible for anyone to know every aspect of this great trade. No need for pissing contests here. Just do your job the way you know how and what makes you feel safe and I will do the same. Like I've said before I let my work speak for myself it not only shows what I know but my experience as well.

[scammy]

not getting in a pissing match about experiance ,,old school lineman ,well your enviornment was different ,you had plenty of hands,,and company backing ,,,,yea ya had to do it the hard way,because of the tecknology,lotta climbing ,,and I respect that ,,but dont come bitching about our expireiances,,,,,Ill bet my 7 years as a metro lineman equale 20 years of district linework ,,you know what I mean #6 copper and all,and a few regulator banks,,,,,,we have not had a fatality in 18 yrs,,,,,,,,,,we work safe,,,,no corners cut,,,,,,,,,,no cowboys here,,if ya wanna be stuipid and work stuipid,,,,than go ahead ,,,,,but dont **** with me about it ,,,,,,scammy

[scammy]

thanks swamp

[Special ED]

Glad I'm not alone. Back to the subject at hand.

[Swollen Tongue]

I don't believe that it is so much the slower learning curve as it is the oppertunity to see and experience the different variables and problems we face in our jobs. To dismiss someones lifetime of experiences so easily in the trade as "Not meaning shit" is both arrogant and disrespectful. That being said, it doesn't mean that a 25 or 30 year man is necessarly Gods Gift to The Electrical World. But he has earned the right to be listened to by his peers. A man that has accumulated that many years in the trade is probebly not only skilled but also at some point in time on several occasions lucky. Because rest assured that everyone has their "close calls". Now that being said, if your happy gloving 12kv off the pole, than have at it.

[shepsta]

We used to glove 2.4 + 7.2 in hooks.
Now it's done only off insulated, tested diving boards.
This changed when we started gloving 19.9/34.5 in 93.
Our Line crews consist of a Lineman and Working Foreman.
The Lineman is union and the WF is not.-- Srewy set up but we follow the
Union contract.
This set up may be changing soon as far as the Union goes.
Shepsta

[RDawgs]

LMAO Old news Special Ed Go Back to special EDUCATION. we still do It today DA And swamp Scum never ever bitched at your non union status get a life. LOL. Bunch of whiners probably the same un the Job the whine Club!:)

[RDawgs]

CAN ANY NEWBYS" climb a Pole? You all all got mouth's do you climb a pole or steel structures lol. not say I'm smarter you have no experience to shoot your mouth off! God Bless! And work Safe! You only get One Chance!

[RDawgs]

Merry Christmas Bucket Boys...................NEWBIES

[RDawgs]

The one thing I Know That 8 out of 10 Lineman I work with will Blow Your @sses away climbing our putting a line back Up off a Pole.They all have over 20 yrs in, Girly Boys! Never DisRespect Us! Girly Boys! Cause Your mouth's mean chit to us! P.S. If It Does mean anything we Catch It! and Thanks! We are updated monthly on all the new chit you don't have a Clue! but we all make mistakes thats what the grunts for. Special Ed Your So Special get a Linemans Job or Shut UP! DA! AND Newbies Talk to yourselfs in Private.

[scammy]

hey man did someone shit in your fruitloops? you dis my 7 yrs and talk much shit ,,,I was a army lineman,,before ,,the only differance was that on my tool belt was a m16,,,,,,,I am 47 yrs old ,been around the block a few times ,,,,,,,,blow it out your pompass ass man ,,,,,,scammy

[Stick-it]

I will respect your line skills when you prove them to me in the field. Not because you claim years experience on Powerlineman.com. People like you are hard to work with. Unpleasant to say the least. Newbies, watch your asses around a guy like this. 20 years don't mean sh!t. You still have to earn respect.

[Special ED]

I would leave a good response but I'm too busy packing and getting ready for bed. Gotta head to Topeka tomorrow to do linework.. Hear that Dawg line work.. I'll get back to you after I'm done helping out in the midwest and get moved to Tucson.

[scammy]

be real carefull ,,,,,brother,and watch out for those mega potholes on the road,,,,,keep your mind on your work and let us know ,,when ya can ,,scammy,,and yea I know swamp,,,,but he aint the only one who has a few beers after work,,,love ya all ,,you too dawg,,,,,,be good ,,scammy

[RDawgs]

Are you serious Scamp?:p

You would even respond to this asshole?.....
Comeon man.

4 posts in a row...within 10 minutes between each post? Shit. The boys shitfaced, and tryin to up his post count from 22. :D

When he posted that crap, he couldn't have "shit in his fruitloops if he had a 10 power Scope on his ass!!" He'd have MISSED!:D

There Got you ding dongs Lineman whanna be's Have hun with tour lines of B.S. Good Day! Work Safe Whanna Be's!!!!!

[scammy]

you drunk again? I can hardly make out what you say ,,,,cmon man ,,pull your head out of your ass,,,scammy

[Swollen Tongue]

Forget what I said About partially agreeing with RDawg. Sorry about that. Should of reada little more first.

[tbone2150]

im currently working out two poles a day, gloving 7600 and 14900 single phase wearing class 3 gloves with no worries, makes for a much easier day
and less stressful when using your hands, no boards, no sticks, and your pole buddy knows every move you make and you him also

[Orgnizdlbr]

im currently working out two poles a day, gloving 7600 and 14900 single phase wearing class 3 gloves with no worries, makes for a much easier day
and less stressful when using your hands, no boards, no sticks, and your pole buddy knows every move you make and you him also

I'm not sure I understand your post, please explain.

What is stressful about a board or a stick?

Single phase???

[Swollen Tongue]

14.9 single phase??? new one on me. If that is correct, its way too hot to work while walking wood. Have at it but not in my crew.

[adamr_41]

Thats insane......Death wish.

[wudwoker51]

Rubber gloving work techniques are based on the principle of insulate and isolate, a practice that all who want to enjoy a long and safe career in linework should abide by. Obviously gloving off the pole violates this principle and should not be considered a safe work practice.

[texas1]

in texas we glove any thing from 7620 on down off the pole,unfortunatly in the metro area we have a lot of blind poles and yes it is our policy to glove it hot off the pole,14.4 on the other hand we kill it out,do the repairs and then reenergize it.....

[BULLogna]

Ive been workin for ameren in IL./MO. for 18years and while I have seen something simple done a time or two off the wood/7.2kv the rules say that we glove 2400 only unless from a bucket. Some of our locals glove from baker boards but most still stick it in the backyards. when I was a cub in St. louis, rumor had it that management wanted to get away from sticking and have us use boards so they sent some people to train and then kind of competed with one of our sticking crews. the sticking crew beat them and the board idea was dropped so I kind of beleave that its not worth the time or risk to glove unless from a bucket. plus sticking once in while keeps a vanishing art that is kind of lineman heritage alive. am I too long winded? im new to this forum stuff.

[old lineman]

Ive been workin for ameren in IL./MO. for 18years and while I have seen something simple done a time or two off the wood/7.2kv the rules say that we glove 2400 only unless from a bucket. Some of our locals glove from baker boards but most still stick it in the backyards. when I was a cub in St. louis, rumor had it that management wanted to get away from sticking and have us use boards so they sent some people to train and then kind of competed with one of our sticking crews. the sticking crew beat them and the board idea was dropped so I kind of beleave that its not worth the time or risk to glove unless from a bucket. plus sticking once in while keeps a vanishing art that is kind of lineman heritage alive. am I too long winded? im new to this forum stuff.



I too am some times long winded but I always think that if you leave out the smallest detail it may confuse someone.
I can read a longer post easier to be sure.
Your position on gloving off a pole is 'bang on' and your post was intelligent.
That's what we're looking for. Thanks.
The Old Lineman

[texas1]

i agree with swamp rat hands down,not that my opinion matters,but i feel he hit it right on the head,here we even change out x-arms off the wood with hot primary (7620 and below).no sticks,and no b-boards just class 3 gloves and sleeves:)

[shepsta]

If your safety rules allow you to glove in hooks then go for it.
This is something we used to do but safety rules have changed (because of accidents of course).
We can glove 2.4,+7.2 on an insulated, tested diving board; 34.5 out of a bucket.
Sounds like doing it in hooks makes someone feel macho.
Most guys that brag about what they've done or can do can't do crap.

[Nate]

Just wondering how many of you guys company policy allows gloving 12 kv from pole. And how many of you actually do it.
I have done this several times but from what I hear, it is not normal procedure for most people.

No its not, thats what gets you or your ape hurt or killed.
We now have the tools, SAFE WORK PRACTICES and the ability to STOP the job when we fill it,'s unsafe, use your rights. OR stand up for your own.If we don't put these thoughts into our little BROTHERS then we all fail.NO ones lites computers cordless phones will do what they do if we don't DO WHAT WE DO.
Don't take short cuts and don't do any more than the work order ASKS For.
BE SAFE and go home like you went to work.

[Nate]

Part of the reason, I'm not union.
I just don't like that type of thinkin. Never have.

What type of thinkin are you talking about?

[Nate]

Well,
By the thread you're talkin in....It's "Glovin 7620 off the pole".

Union don't like that, or agree with it.

The other part of Union thinkin I'm not "partial" to is.....
don't do any more than the work order ASKS For.

Im a union member local 113, But my two boys care about is DAD. taking them to hockey practice and chewing ass over homework, I agree we have done things,And gotten away with it. But we don't have to, any more. We arn't Superman to the the public just our FAMILY'S Wake up bros.

[scammy]

we lost one gloving off the pole in 78,,I work with the same guys now ,I wasnt there then ,,,,but I see the results,,,,scammy

[lewy]

In Ontario upto 5kv off the pole anything above off the pole would have to be sticks . From 5 kv to 15 kv can be any insulated bucket truck , above 15 kv cannot be a squirt boom. this is regulated by the province is not a matter of wether you are union or not.

[Smitty57]

At my company we can only glove less than 5000 volts phase to phase.
From either wood or a bucket. That makes 4kv the only voltage we can glove. I was not aware that gloving 12kv was a common practice. The places I know that do it use a baker board, not from the wood. Gloving 12kv doesn't sound like a good practice to me, even if you are using the proper gloving techniques.

[Pootnaigle]

Geeze Swamp since when did the union make the saftey rules?Its not a union or non union issue! The utility makes the rules unless the state has done it for em.And the reason that the state does that is they realize the only thing between the lineman and certain serious injury is a pair of rubber gloves,There is no other barrier like an insulated bucket or a bakerboard to back em up if the gloves fail.I agree with you about how cumbersome and awkward a board is but I'll use one everytime before I just reach out and grab a handfulla hot primary.
Lets look at it from a different perspective. your car prolly has air bags and sealtbelts. so would you disable one of em to go on a trip? In most things that you do dont you have a backup plan If plan A kinda falls apart.? I dont see nuffin macho bout this at all I see it as ignorant and lacking a safe working attitude

[markwho]

At my company we can only glove less than 5000 volts phase to phase.
From either wood or a bucket. That makes 4kv the only voltage we can glove. I was not aware that gloving 12kv was a common practice. The places I know that do it use a baker board, not from the wood. Gloving 12kv doesn't sound like a good practice to me, even if you are using the proper gloving techniques.

I guess it is a matter of how you were trained and what you are used to. We have been gloving 13.2 phase to phase for about 25+ yrs now. We started when I was a apprentice and that is what I was taught. I never really worked sticks too much beyond a switch stick or shotgun. I feel it is safe if proper work practices and safety procedures are followed.

We do not glove anything over 4 kv from the pole. I personally have never used a baker board, but if we were to glove from the pole that is what we would use to do it. I actually think there would be an outage to do the work before we would go through the hassle.

Thats what is nice about this site, we get to hear what everyone does outside our world. I guess that is what is nice about traveling.

[PA BEN]

Still haven't had anybody tell me what "Glovin off the Pole", they WOULDN'T do. Most of ya can't or won't talk about it cause....
"It's just not Union"...therefore it's "Unsafe".

Well.....Bullshit....
Your dam right, I've never busted your balls swamp and I wont start now for being a rat, that's your business. But, I'm here to say if it wasn't for the IBEW making and demanding safety laws, Lineman would be dropping like flies and the company would be making the money. I've heard more stories about non-union contractors breaking the safety laws because it was easier to glove up and do it, then use a hot stick. Remember our laws were written in the blood of past fallen brothers, it might be a pain in the ass sometimes, but the goal is to go home every night.;)

[PA BEN]

It's like gun control, we have laws on the books now and if more gun law breakers would go to jail the Government wouldn't feel the need to make more gun control laws. If more Managers, foreman, lineman who cut safety corners to get the job dun and kill or mame a co-worker, would go to jail, then these cut-a-corner lineman would think twice before they cut a safety law. We the worker are to blame for the new pane in the ass safety laws coming down the pike. It's a CYA world out ther now:(

[Swollen Tongue]

Right on PA. Some need to check the fatality rate for linemen before organization began. Safety isn't something you do only when its convenient or doesn't impede performance numbers.

[PA BEN]

That's Right Ben. It's "Cover your own ass, and work by the rules that are out there".

AND...Until UNIVERSAL Rules are ESTABLISHED, For Lineworkers....by no less than our GOVERNMENT.....

"Ya work by the rules of where ya work". OSHA is a "Guideline"...that in the END result, is designed to "Make" Utilities and corporations...come in line.

So...

Ya all cuss me for Glovin 7620 off the pole. "Carry on".
I have no problem with you gloving 7620 off a pole, if the rules say it's OK then it's OK. Here we can only glove up to 5kv, I've gloved a lot of 5kv off a Pole. I test my gloves before each use, your just as dead at 5kv or 7620 if your gloves fail.:(

[PA BEN]

When you say "5KV" Ben...
Are you really sayin 4160?....Which is what? 2400, phase to ground? It's been so long since I gloved, or even SEEN 4160....I can't remember.
Our safety law states up to 5kv phase to phase. And yes it is 2400/4160.:cool:

[texas1]

when i started this line of work (1989) i was a grunt..i"ll admit i have seen 2 accidents with 2 seperate guys that were gloving 7200 off the pole.no they didnt die ,one cant hear out of one ear anymore because he lost most of it during the phase to ground flash,the other one can take his leg off at anytime and beat you with it,do i think these guys were stupid?NO of course not,they were both accidents,could they have been prevented,YES because as we all know most can be prevented,were these guys being macho,NO they were doing their job.did i learn anything YES I DID.i learned that i didnt want it to happen to me,and yes i still glove off the pole and it doesnt bother me at all.anything we do as lineman is by choice,thats our god given right.do i think b-boards r dumb?no way they r a piece of safety equipment and the guys that use them are probably good at it,the guys that use sticks,well lets just say i have never seen that done and wouldnt have a clue as to how to use them.so with that said,i have always gloved off the pole,were you have confedence in ur boards and sticks,i have that in my gloves and sleeves,i dont down your work habits so show me the same respect that i show you,were you say sticks and boards make a good lineman,I SAY SLEEVES AND GLOVES MAKE A GOOD LINEMAN TOO......

[LINEHAND]

when i started this line of work (1989) i was a grunt..i"ll admit i have seen 2 accidents with 2 seperate guys that were gloving 7200 off the pole.no they didnt die ,one cant hear out of one ear anymore because he lost most of it during the phase to ground flash,the other one can take his leg off at anytime and beat you with it,do i think these guys were stupid?NO of course not,they were both accidents,could they have been prevented,YES because as we all know most can be prevented,were these guys being macho,NO they were doing their job.did i learn anything YES I DID.i learned that i didnt want it to happen to me,and yes i still glove off the pole and it doesnt bother me at all.anything we do as lineman is by choice,thats our god given right.do i think b-boards r dumb?no way they r a piece of safety equipment and the guys that use them are probably good at it,the guys that use sticks,well lets just say i have never seen that done and wouldnt have a clue as to how to use them.so with that said,i have always gloved off the pole,were you have confedence in ur boards and sticks,i have that in my gloves and sleeves,i dont down your work habits so show me the same respect that i show you,were you say sticks and boards make a good lineman,I SAY SLEEVES AND GLOVES MAKE A GOOD LINEMAN TOO......

You really outta read your new contract it states that all workers shall have the option to use an OSHA approved insulated (Baker Board) platform!!! Just because it can be done doesnt mean it should hell you can lick a phase (out of a bucket) doesnt mean its a smart thing to do!! Even the non union contractors on property use a board. Except of course for do what it takes to make a buck Pike. I for one will be using this option Especially when John Wilder is making out with 300 million and the company is making billions! Best believe Im gonna take every saftey measure available to make sure my family continues to see my measly ole check!! Just not worth it to take a short cut! The Dallas guys have been keeping the lights on just fine using the two barrier rule and I imagine so will I/we with it! Thank you Local 69!!!!! I also imagine that is one of the work practices the new IBEW/Company saftey council will be taking a look at if not THE ONE!!!

[texas1]

just to let you know,i have read the new contract.and as we say out here,keep ur b-s rules east of the river.as i said in my reply,i dont bash anyone elses policies so dont bash mine,i know the limits of my equipment do you know yours,so dont try to work with your eyes closed,open them sometimes and maybe,just maybe you will learn a thing or two........... and buy the way,lets not forget what it really took to get this contract through to this point....alot of guys working off the pole with gloves and sleeves...so put that in your safety rules.....

[LINEHAND]

just to let you know,i have read the new contract.and as we say out here,keep ur b-s rules east of the river.as i said in my reply,i dont bash anyone elses policies so dont bash mine,i know the limits of my equipment do you know yours,so dont try to work with your eyes closed,open them sometimes and maybe,just maybe you will learn a thing or two........... and buy the way,lets not forget what it really took to get this contract through to this point....alot of guys working off the pole with gloves and sleeves...so put that in your safety rules.....

Uh . . . . yeah I know the limits of a glove with a pinhole in it! If you like you can come on over next time I do an arcing demo . . . . . . You just might learn a thing or two!!!! Im definetly not bashing ur practices just pointing out that the union gave u the option for any employee that agrees with (as you can see by this thread) most of the rest of the country that it is an unsafe work practice. If you chose to still do it more power to u as of now it is still allowed. Yeah we needed u just like u needed us (unless u wanted IES) thats why its called a union, divided we r IES!!! Im damn proud and glad to have ya (cause i like what being united got us compared to IES) !! Like I said not trying to be confrontational and wouldnt want anything that trivial to keep yall from organizing!!! Thats ur business just like hanging a board is any employees that want to own business!!



P.S. As we say over here Ill keep my B.S. saftey rules East of the river if you keep your cowboy work practices west of it!!! ; )

[500 KVA]

You are one dumb ass! To bragg about such a stupid work practice is so far off the stupid scale. It is unbelievable!

2,400 Volts I don't see a problem with, but 7,200 volts is wrong. Nowhere have I ever heard of 7,200 volts being allowed to be worked off of the pole. I mean allowed, not done by some dumb asses trying to make a shortcut.

Someone pointed out that a tiny pinhole would be all it took to finish the arguement. Your finish, not mine. That pin hole could come at any time while your working, so what's testing them prior to working going to do for you? You have no back up protection.

That single shot will really help. No guarantee it will operate for you. If it does your betting that first shot wont fry you well done.

You know that those 20 KV rated gloves are really only rated up to 17,000 volts right. You're 3,000 volts in the red already sparky.

What's sad is how you spit in the face of everyone who is trying to tell you that it is unsafe and wrong. They are trying to help you. I hope you got good insurance coverage. It's just a matter of time before the #7 rolls again and you lose.

Where's this coming from? TEXAS. Figures!

[Stinger]

A lot of good debate. I am like most of you. I have gloved 7200 off hooks with gloves, sleeves, and good PPE. The new rules and laws say we can not do it anymore. End of subject, end of debate. Look across the country and listen to all our brothers here on the net, what we see is a wide varitey of what certain utilities allow and don't allow. In the New England area we can glove 4160/2400 off hooks, glove 13kv from buckets, 23kv & 34.5 have to be sticked. In the south we can glove 13kv & 34.5 from bucket or baker board. Looks like out west anything over 4kv has to sticked. Our region (2) of the IBEW does have our own safety book that we go by which in some cases is more stringent than the local utility. We can all talk Sheet here about what we have done in the past, but I truly feel that the vast majority of us do what is right and safe in the end wether we agree with the safety rule or not. Just my opinion for what it is worth.

[lewy]

Stinger I hoped you just miss typed when you said "In the south we can glove 13kv & 34.5 from bucket or baker board. "
5 kv & below off the pole
5kv to 15 kv board or bucket truck
15 kv to 36 kv articulated bucket truck with a current leakage test
anything over 26.5 kv delta or above 36 kv wye, stick or barehand
I know when we glove th 27.6 on a hot summer day you know the line is alive as compared to gloving 8 kv when you do not notice any difference

[ZapCzar]

Where's this coming from? TEXAS. Figures!

Now just what exactly does this mean Mr. 1.5 KVA?

[Stinger]

Lewy- I did not miss type. In the south you can glove 13 & 34.5 from buckets. What do you mean by articulated and leakage. Our booms are dielectic tested every six months. The baker boards are also tested. If you doubt what i am saying ask THRASER, he is from VA, ask some of the other brothers here that work in the south, NH and ME you can glove 34.5 from buckets.

Swamp- hey buddy Up here in the NE area Mass State Law dictates what you can and can not glove both voltage and from pole. I do belive OSHA has band 12kv from gloving off pole. This i could be wrong on. A lot of utilities also dictate gloving voltages. Our LU safety book prohibits gloving 12kv from poles. When I say end of debate, I was not refering to anyone except for me, but then again, here I am debating makes you kind of lol. Swamp- you crack me up at times- keep up the postings. Be safe, be happy.

[Pootnaigle]

Where's this coming from? TEXAS. Figures!
WHOA NOW I'm from Texas and we never did that dumb shit!That feller didnt say but my best guess is he aint a member of any local in these parts.We have in Texas whats called a right ot work state.And if they are gullible enough to do it The many Rat contractors here let em.
The utilities all have safety rules that prohibit this stuff and most of em make contractors abide to the more stringent rules of the contractors or the utilities.

[lewy]

Stinger in your post you said "In the south we can glove 13kv & 34.5 from bucket or baker board." which I thought you were implying that you can work 34.5 off of a baker board , but I hope you did not mean that. As far as an articulating bucket truck goes we cannot rubberglove anything above 15 kv out of a squirt boom & anytime we glove anything above 15 kv we first have to do a current leakage test, be it a single or double bucket. we would only have to do it once that day if we changed work locations, but we would have to do it again the next day again if we were gloving.

[thrasher]

I had been staying out of this discussion but since someone brought my name into it I figured I'd throw my 2 cents in. In Virginia I know of no rule that says you cannot glove 15, 25, or 35 kv off of a baker board. At our Coop we glove 35kv only from a bucket but that is OUR COMPANY choice not a state or OSHA rule. Also ALL of our buckets are tested to the same standard whether they are articulated or squirt type; therefore ANY bucket can be used for 35kv. Finally we test our buckets twice a year and do not do anything different to glove 35kv than 15kv as far as the bucket is concerned.
It all boils down to OSHA sets a MINIMUM standard, but every company in the country writes thier own rule book. Follow your own rule book. If you don't like your rule book try to change it thru the company or change companies.
The last thing I tell guys leaving to work storm trouble is your still on our payroll you work by OUR RULES and if the other company has a problem with that then leave.

[ZapCzar]

Where's this coming from? TEXAS. Figures!
WHOA NOW I'm from Texas and we never did that dumb shit!That feller didnt say but my best guess is he aint a member of any local in these parts.We have in Texas whats called a right ot work state.And if they are gullible enough to do it The many Rat contractors here let em.
The utilities all have safety rules that prohibit this stuff and most of em make contractors abide to the more stringent rules of the contractors or the utilities.

That’s not exactly right Pootnaigle, I'm in the biggest utility in Texas and it is allowed. We were sent to school several years back when it was brought in. Now that being said, most of us don't do it. I will get a bucket to it, do it with hot sticks, or turn the crap off. I have done it, but think under most cases there is a better way. In this business any time you can improve your odds of staying health take it. I have not run in to many things I couldn't do with hot sticks, the glove on seems to be more of a time saver which is never a reason to lower your odds. I have seen many lineman who like Swamprat don’t have a problem with it, if they are following the rules laid down to them by there company and are ok with it, then that is there decision to make. Theres my 2cents Ya'll take care.

[texas1]

thanks linehand for the reply,as for 500 kva listen close,dont be scared,and buy the way thanks for the info on the gloves,but there is a problem,we dont wear 20,000 volt rated gloves here.there 30,000 volt rated so i"ll stop there,just wanted to show that you shouldnt let ur alligator mouth overload your tweety bird ass........................................p.s. thanks again linehand for having an open mind.and yes we are all glad we joined ya"ll we over here just need to learn that there is no longer any dividing lines and that goes for me too...as for 500kva i dont think your knowledge goes with your kva rating you might want to lower it a bit lets say 120/240 single phase............................................. ....

[texas1]

just so you know,i too work for the biggest utility in texas,my contracting days were over 12 yrs ago,and yes i am in a union and they even allow us to glove off the pole,surprise, surprise....

[wtdoor67]

have alway pushed the envelope when it comes to hot work. I think there is a fringe area mostly on the Gulf coast and then up the east side of Texas that have not been so adamant in these nefarious practices. I suspect mostly because they're union.

All of the non-union entities in Texas are big on gloving the biggest voltage they can get by with and working primary alone in a bucket. The given rule used to be not to work primary alone and most companies required at a minimum of 2 men in the bucket and one on the ground watching. I always refused to work alone if I could get out of it but these crummy companies are so bent on cutting crews to the minimum it makes it difficult.

They were touting these "2 man" crews once and I asked the safety guy if a crew of 2 men were working and the guy in the bucket got into trouble did the observer render assistance first or call on the radio first. He hesitated for a little while and said you should call on the radio first. What a joke. Like you're gonna run to the cab and call on the radio while your buddy is getting scorched.

When they get rubbers that are rated for it I expect they will glove all transmission voltages in Texas from steel structures.

[mainline]

The 2 man in power space thing again. At the utility I work at we often double up on poles using two single bucket material handlers. Just as often we work primary voltage by ourselves. We always have a qualified man on the ground watching out for us. We safely do this everyday, and our crew is a projects crew. I know that a lot of utilities double up, but it is a company rule, not a necessity. As for 12KV off the pole that is too hot for my taste. We do, however, occasionally work 4kv off the pole and 12 off a baker board. Whatever you do do it safely.

[adamr_41]

LOL How bout 5 KVA Texas...Ive learned throughout the years that guys like that arent all that they are cracked up to be...

[Ohiolineman1]

Off of a board, never off the pole. Kap

[wtdoor67]

Do you have at least 1... truly Rational, logical braincell in your head?
Or do you just spout shit like this off the top of your 1 braincell head?

For WHAT reason? To promote your union mentality? Good Job.....
How's that workin for ya?

great rat lineman of scatilogical wisdom. You have so many gems of wisdom to pass along to we other lesser hands. You poor dip shit.

The reference to gloving transmission stuff off steel structures is actually not to far off the mark. I actually knew some hands once who gloved some 69 from a bucket. That's pushing it I think. They were actually IBEW and worked for an REC.

As far as gloving from the pole, the only way you are not exposing yourself to the phase to phase voltage is when there is only one phase available. When you touch one phase while standing on the pole you are sometimes exposing yourself to phase to phase potential if more than one phase is present.

Duh? How you might ask? Well I guess I'll have to explain it to you. If an insulator is broken down or some other inadvertant mishap causes the pole to become energized somewhat then poor old Swampy would in essence be exposed to phase to phase potential. Duh I did a blow up test of my rubbers. That's a real definitive test isn't it? I know a guy who was severely burned gloving 7620/13.2 from the pole once. How? The electricity stuff was suspected of jumping through a hole in his glove and messing him up severely. (Thought I'd break it down for you. I know you're not a "technical" fellow.)

I also knew of a lineman working for a utility where I once worked who was burned severely by touching a DE bolt with only his leather gloves. Seems an insulator was broken down. Now if he had his rubbers on and touched another phase do you think he would have been exposed to phase to phase voltage. Duh, I don't know, I'm not a real technical fellow.

Stick to golf and fishing. You're probably safer that way. Goll lee. Look at them thar transmission lineman. Ain't they something?

[wtdoor67]

This from a guy who has about 9 gillion post on this sill ass board. If the dog hadn't............, boy that's a new one. Don't know where you come up with those jewels. What an original. You ain't a fart in..............Another gem. What a steel trap mind you have. Well I don't think of you as a fart in a whirl wind. You just smell like one. You go way back. Wow! You shore didn't learn a hell-of-a-lot way back did you? Well Mr. Technical I've been around a little while. Enough to spot a dumb ass like you. Like Bellamy. Dance Rat Dance!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay with that single phase you'll be okay.

[500 KVA]

It's me that is the dumbass. Let's remind you of something. Gloving anything over 2400/4160Y from the pole is illegal in most states. Legislation fought for and won by the local unions in those states.

Most Utility companies agree as well. So there is quite the consensus that it is a BAD thing to glove 7200/12470Y from the pole. It isn't the few dumbasses on this board who happen to think you are retarded, it is the majority of the industry as well as the government who know you are retarded.

Hell you freaks don't even know your voltages. That is the first sign!

There is a reason we try to let you know that it is wrong. Not for your dumbass selves. Hell if your that dumb then the natural selection of nature will eventually rid us of you. Some slip through untouched like that douschebag in Florida.

The reason is, we don't want innocent apprentices learning the wrong stuff from you daredevils. Lord knows what other dumb ass crap your teaching them? Some day we'll be reading about them.

You can get away with being stupid a long time. It just takes once to cure stupid, and you are searching for that cure aggressively aren't you? Well I hope you find what your looking for. Why? Because we tried to let you know and you slapped our helping hands away. So F-U!

Cute the way you do all that changing my name around. It's so original. About 3 years ago. You keep doing it though. You need something to keep your mind busy.

[Swollen Tongue]

Hell boys this has sorta turned into a pissing contest. Llinemen will glove it or they won't. They may get by with it or they may not. Some will continue to do it and some may have a change of heart. Just do what it takes to go home in one piece at night.