2016 RODEO EVENT QUESTIONS
General
Q: Are we allowed to pull material up on the hand line or do we have to use a bag for
everything?
A: You do not have to utilize a bag when sending items up or down on the hand line.
Q: After crossing the neutral can I climb with the fall arrest belt and have my secondary
lanyard around the pole also?
A: No
Q: Is it ok to climb with the fall arrest and secondary lanyard around the pole?
A: No
Q: What size poles are used?
A: 40’ class 4
Q: If the man climbing is moving his safety from above or below and obstacle, can
another man be climbing, or is that considered working?
A: If the fall arrest is in place and the secondary is being moved, the other climber can
be climbing.
Q: Do climbers have to wear work gloves when putting on climbing tools in all events?
A: Yes. (See General Rules, 2-point Infraction #24)
Q: Time starts without tools on in all events, correct?
A: False. Tools can be put on during setup time in all events *EXCEPT Hurt-man Rescue.
Q: What size wire will be used for all of the events?
A: All primary and neutral conductors will be #2 AAAC.
Q: May the shotgun stick be left hanging on a hot-line clamp?
A: No. See General Rules: Two-Point Infraction #27
Q: May the climber operate the handline from the pole?
A: Groundman must operate the handline, climber may only assist. (Exception: as listed
in certain Apprentice event descriptions)
Journeyman Hurt-man Rescue
Q: Where is the dummy hung?
A: Between the transformer brackets opposite the neutral.
Q: Which way does the cutout open on this event?
A: The cutout will open opposite the transformer.
Q: Can each person help each other, or can you only do your specific task?
A: Teamwork is allowed, assuming it causes no safety violations.
Q: Do you have to close the fuse back in?
A: No. Bucket truck will assist in re-setting the event site for next competitor.
Q: How much of the rope must be wrapped around the pole above the mannequin?
A: The rope must contact the pole for one complete wrap (360 degrees) with the control
line crossed over the load line.
Q: Where will the handline be hung?
A: It will be snapped into an eye-nut on the back of the top transformer bolt.
Journeyman Cross Arm Relay
Q: Will the Journeyman Cross Arm Relay have a neutral installed on the pole?
A: Yes.
Q: What size crossarm will be used?
A: The crossarms will be 4”x5”x8’ (SC item# 562203119)
Q: May the climber carry any material up and down the pole?
A: Small items may be carried in appropriate containers/bags/pouches that are securely
attached to the climber’s body belt.
Q: Which way will the arm bolt and brace bolt be facing?
A: The nuts will be put on the arm side / brace side.
Journeyman Transformer Change
Q: How much will the transformer weigh?
A: Approximately 270 lbs.
Q: How will the secondary service run? Will it be bonded to neutral? Does it need
covered up?
A: The secondary will be as the picture shows and will not be connected to the neutral.
*Note: All conductors that are not at ground potential will be considered as energized.
Proper approach distance and cover is required. Secondary must be covered.
Q: Must the neutral be covered before a climber ascends above it?
A: Yes, as with all current carrying conductors.
Q: May we use a handline to raise and lower the transformer?
A: No. A minimum of 2-sheave blocks made with ½” (or greater) rope shall be utilized.
Q: May the climber pull the fuse barrel open and take it out or will the ground man have
to do it before the climber climbs?
A: Any team member can open the cutout.
Q: Do we need to remove the high side riser?
A: Climbers must maintain proper OSHA clearance to any energized conductor at all
times.
Q: When the transformer is being raised and lowered, may the rope come off the tarp?
A: The rope should not intentionally leave the tarp.
Q: Will we be required to use a volt meter to check voltage or can it be simulated?
A: Voltage testing may be simulated by touching the proper location and to shout
“Testing” loud enough for the judge to hear.
Q: Do the secondary leads need to be covered after they are removed from the
bushings?
A: Yes.
Q: Is a transformer gin required for raising / lowering the transformer?
A: Yes.
Journeyman Vertical Phase Transfer
Q: Is it okay for a climber to ascend or descend one pole while items are being raised or
lowered with a handline on the other pole?
A: No. See General Rules, 2 Point Infractions #13 and #14.
Q: Can you explain the grounding procedure judges will be looking for in the
journeyman phase transfer?
A: Judges will be instructed to ensure that an equal potential zone was properly created
in the aerial work space utilizing grounding jumpers constructed of 2/0 extra flexible
coated copper cable or 4/0 extra flexible coated aluminum cable. (These cables sizes are
minimum requirements and may be exceeded with any cable providing a greater
ampacity.)
*These grounds shall be installed and removed in a sequence consistent with OSHA
1910.269 (n) while maintaining minimum approach distances from all ungrounded
conductors.
Q: Do we need to test the phases for voltage before applying a grounding jumper?
A: Yes, but this test can be simulated using the opposite end of your hot stick. No tester
is needed. Voltage testing may be simulated by touching the proper location with stick
and to shout “Testing” loud enough for the judge to hear.
Q: May both climbers be climbing or descending at the same time?
A: Yes, as long as they are not on the same pole.
Q: May both handlines be operated at the same time?
A: No.
Q: Will the brackets be installed on both poles or do we need to install them and do we
need brackets on both poles or just one?
A: Two equal potential grounding brackets will already be installed on the poles. See
event description for specific placement.
Q: May the grounds on the grounding bracket be put on by hand before we hook them
to the conductor?
A: Yes
Q: Do you have to transfer the clevis rack and spool or just the spool?
A: There will be a clevis rack already installed on the “new” pole.
Q: Will the poles be 4 feet apart center to center or inside to inside?
A: The poles will be set 4’ apart center to center at the ground level.
Q: Can we use the same grip on the conductor or do we need to use two separate grips?
A: Number of grips is determined by crew as long as positive control is maintained.
Q: May we leave a stick hanging on a grounding jumper clamp?
A: No. Unless the ground is manufactured with a stick built in.
Q: May a climber be positioned above the neutral rack on a pole with no conductor
before grounds are applied to phases?
A: So long as minimum approach distances can be maintained.
Apprentice / Journeyman Phase Tie-In
**Mean / Drop Dead times will be increased to 2:30 / 3:30 **
**Please see updated event descriptions as of 3/10/16**
Q: Will the tie wire for the phase tie in be #4, and how long will the tie be? Also, will you
be able to set your ties up like we could with the ropes?
A: *Yes, Tie Wire will be #4 aluminum
*Note: Line tech will be able to cut tie wire from rolls of wire placed on site, length of
wire cut to be chosen by line tech. Important to note that end of the wire must be tight
wrapped and cut off within ½ inch line wire. (As referenced in Lineman’s and
Cableman’s Handbook)
A: Yes, it is okay to set ties up within the material bag provided.
Q: Will the ties need to look neat with equal wraps as described in the Lineman’s and
Cableman’s Handbook?
A: Yes, Judges will be looking for number of wraps, length of tails, etc… There is a
precise amount of wraps that will be counted, more or less will be a deduction.
Q: Is there going to be armor rods on the conductor for the ties?
A: There will be no armor rods installed on this event.
Q: Can you place the wire tie on the neck of the insulator during setup?
A: No. Ties may be placed in material bags provided on each pole.
Q: Can you place the quick ties on top of the insulator or on top the pole behind the
pin?
A: No. Ties may be placed in material bags provided on each pole.
Q: Will you have to install the rubber saddle (grommet) for the quick ties?
A: Yes.
Q: Will you be able to put the insulation (rubber grommet) on before or will it be part of
the event?
A: You may not put anything on the primary conductor during set up time.
Q: If you drop something will it count against you?
A: See General Rules: Two-Point Infractions #9. Cut tails may be placed in material bag
on the pole.
Q: So the ties will be in a Grunt bag?
A: See answers above. A bag will be hanging at each station and can be loaded during
set up time.
Q: In the phase tie in will the tails have to be bent down, or can they be cut off and left
sticking up. If bent down, can they be longer than 1/2 inch?
A: Tails can be bent up or down,
they cannot, however, extend more than ½ inch from the conductor if up or down.
Apprentice Hurt-man Rescue
Q: Do we have to take the snap up or is it hung already?
A: See Event Description
Q: Define repositioning with secondary?
A: See General Rules: Implementation of Full Fall Arrest
Apprentice Obstacle Course
Q: At the top arm, will the apprentice need to move the nut and lock washer for the
arrestor, or will each bracket have a nut?
A: Each bracket will have its own nut.
Q: Will the apprentice need to take and hang a handline?
A: It is not required. A handline will be on-site nearby for rescue purposes.
Q: Are we moving the L bracket or just arrestor?
A: See Event Description
Q: Where can you put the Cotter Key?
A: Cotter keys must be kept secure and not dropped.
Apprentice Grounding
Q: Will the apprentice need to run the handline?
A: Yes, the apprentice will need to raise and lower his own material bag.
Q: May the apprentice install the ground from the bracket to neutral before testing the
phases?
A: Yes
Q: How long is the stick being used?
A: 8 feet. The hook is located 10 inches from the top of stick.
Q: How long are the grounds?
A: There will be provided one 12’, one 3’, and two 6’ grounds made of 1/0 flexible
stranded copper. The 6’ grounds have a “parking” stud installed.
Q: On what side of the arm is the stick hanging?
A: Pole side, opposite the crossarm.
Q: What size material bags will be used?
A: They are 15” tall, with 12” diameter (Klein 5109).
Q: Are we going to have to cross over the neutral to put the grounds on the primary; if
so will we need to have a rubber hose or will it be provided?
A: No
Q: Must the apprentice use the shotgun stick to apply the ground jumper to the
neutral?
A: No.
Q: Where will the equipotential grounding bracket (chain binder) be installed?
A: 24 inches below the neutral clevis.
Q: Can the apprentice take and use his own grounding bracket, Grounds or ground
clamps on the Apprentice Single-Point grounding event, or must he use what is
provided?
A: They have to use what is provided.
Q: Will the hand line hang on the center of the cross arm or on the D A bolt on the
outside of the arm?
A: See event description. Handline block will be hanging from the arm between the
brace bolt and through-bolt, opposite the neutral.
Apprentice Written Test
Q: Is the written test questions from the general knowledge section of the safety
Manual or are the questions taken from the whole Manual
A: The entire safety manual is eligible to be on the test, but the questions will be
relevant to line work. (There will not be questions about unrelated topics like power
generation, office safety, etc.) It may be useful to study the following parts:
 Definitions
 Section 114: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, and Automated
External Defibrillators (AEDs)
 Section 503.1 – 503.7: Vehicle Operations
 Section 506: Tools and Equipment
 Section 507: Overhead Distribution and Transmission
 Section 509: Underground Lines and Equipment