Author -
Submitted By -House Move
While in the process of moving a rather large house early one morning I was sent to open up three line switches feeding off a 600 mcm circuit. this was vertical construction on a 55 pole. i took a scope stick and a pick-up to the lateral take off pole. naturally the spot lights didn't work so i had to use a flash light. after opening C & B phase i was extended all the way out with the stick and my arms. i got the end into the ring and pulled. the stick fell out after i pulled it down. so i looked with the light and saw it was open. i then called the crew who was going to lift the primary so the house could come under and told them all three switches were open. i went and turned around and i don't know why but i stopped back at the take off pole and shinned my light up there again. and to my disbelief the top switch was still closed. I then started hollering over the radio to hold up, hold up. i then proceeded to open it up. i got down to where my head lineman was and he asked me what happened. since there was no good excuse i told him i screwed up by not properly checking the switches for open. he then made me realize why he was still alive after 30+ years on the job by telling me that he was going to ground the wires anyway. that was nearly 15 years ago and i was a journeyman.