POLE CLIMBING AND RESCUE PROCEDURES A lineman climbing a pole corresponds to an office worker taking an elevator to the top floor of a building to In line work a requirement is to be able to climb his or her office. Climbing is not the job, but you must poles. The better you become at climbing poles, the learn to climb and be at ease when you get there.

Figure 4-72.- Completely wired installation with wraparound mount showing grounding connections.

To climb a wooden pole or tree, you will use the equipment shown in figure 4-73. On the climber, the stirrup fits under the arch of your foot, and the leg iron runs up the inner side of the calf of your leg. This puts the gaff in a position on the inner side of your foot where you can drive it into the pole or tree as you climb. Two leather straps run through the loop straps and hold the climber tightly against your calf and ankle. The leather pad keeps the upper end of the climber from digging into your leg.

The term leather refers not only to treated animal hides but also to neoprene-impregnated nylon products, such as body belts, safety straps, and leg straps. These nonleather items are cleaned with soap and water and are available to the battalions.

The safety strap and body belt, as shown in figure 4-73, are what might be called your extra pair of hands when you work aloft. The safety strap is a leather belt with a tongue type of buckle (keeper snap) at each end. The body belt, strapped around your waist, contains various pockets for small tools. While climbing, you will have the safety strap hanging by both ends from the left ring (called a D ring because of its shape) on the body belt.

The safety strap also has an adjustable buckle that permits varying the length to suit the lineman and circumference of the pole. 

Care of Climbing Equipment To a lineman the term burning a pole means the highly unpleasant experience of sliding all the way, or a good part of the way, down a pole as a result of defective equipment or some error in climbing techniques made on the way up. The burning you receive does not need to be explained in detail, and besides burning, you may get many splinters. However, climbers, body belt, and safety strap should keep you up where you belong- if you use them properly and take proper care of them. The body belt and safety strap require continuous inspection. Look for the following:

Loose or broken rivets Cracks, cuts, nicks, or tears in leather Broken or otherwise defective buckles Defects in safety-belt snap hooks and body-belt D rings

Figure 4-73.- Pole climbing equipment.

Worn leather Enlarged tongue holes for belt buckles If you discover any of these defects, turn in the equipment and replace it.

You must periodically perform maintenance work on the leather parts of your climbing equipment. Cleaning comes first. Use a damp sponge and a mild soap. Work up a thick, creamy lather. Then wash the soap off and wipe the belt with a dry cloth.

Next, to make the genuine leather soft and pliable, lather well with saddle soap. Work the lather into all parts; then place the belt in the shade to dry. After the lather has nearly dried, rub down the leather with a soft cloth. Both belts and safety straps, made of genuine leather, require oiling about every 6 months. Be sure the leather is clean before applying oil. Use about 2 teaspoonfuls of neat's-foot oil, working the oil in gradually. Place the belt in a shady place and allow it to dry for 24 hours. Then rub it down with a soft cloth. Always, before you climb a pole or tree, inspect the climbers for the following defects:

Broken or loose straps Stirrup worn to a thickness of one-eighth inch or less Length of pole gaff of less than one-fourth inch as measured along the inner surface Length of tree gaff of less than 5 1/ 2 inches as measured along the outer surface and of less than 3 1/ 2 inches along the inner surface Difference in gaff lengths of more than one-eighth inch If you find any of these defects, turn in your climbers for a new pair.