Climbing School is Best Protection | Chuck Herron
(Ret.) Former Electric Distribution Supervisor of the City of Burbank, California
Chuck Herron started out as a lineman with City of Burbank, 38 ½ years ago. Back then they learned to climb by putting a pole in the ground with a pit around it filled with sawdust. When the apprentice had a “cut out” he was taught to hug the pole as his first response. He may get a few splinters but at least it would break the fall.
About 20 years ago, in a training class Herron, who was then Electrical Distribution Supervisor, had a young apprentice fall and break his pelvis. Later that evening, Herron had to meet the family and a very distraught wife, not to mention the young employee who had potentially permanent injuries.
That was when Herron vowed to never have to meet another spouse or loved one because of a training fall. He sought out equipment, now referred to as Lifehook® systems which use self-retracting lifelines, or “yo yo’s”, although these fall arrestor systems do not spring back when you fall. They stop you almost immediately, typically within 12 inches, leaving you safely suspended in the area. This is how Herron, the City of Burbank and hundreds of other climbing schools protect new apprentices as they develop the skill of climbing.
These fall arrest systems not only reduce injuries and increase the training productivity, they also reduce the fear of falling, which dramatically excels the learning curve for apprentices who have never been up a pole before. Trainees are able to concentrate on climbing skill development and proper pole climbing techniques they will need to use in the field.
As any lineman will tell you, climbing a pole is a unique skill. Herron says it’s hard to explain, the way it feels the first time you try to climb using hooks. In his 38 plus years, he figures only about half of apprentices take to it easily. Some never do. Even more challenging once you learn to climb; you have to learn to work on a pole. It’s an art that many continue to polish at rodeos such as the KC International Rodeo where City of Burbank sends a group every year.
Providing fall protection out in the field is a balance between safety and real world conditions. Many utilities say there are too many obstacles on poles to be harnessing up 100% of the time. The City of Burbank, like most utilities, has gone to more and more bucket trucks but there are still backyard poles and rural systems where a bucket truck isn’t available.
Herron says it starts with the climbing school. Instructors are very critical on the issue of climbing and many fail. Only when an instructor sees the level of confidence and skills mastered is an apprentice certified to climb. That’s the best fall protection.
