2008 RULES

Journeyman
Each Master and Senior Team will consist of at least two journeymen (anyone who has or has had the classification can compete), and a Ground Man.  Scoring is based on correct work procedures and safety.  Utility supervisors and past Rodeo contestants are the judges and follow very strict criteria.  Each team participates in four mandatory events.  The events will be:

• Pole Climb
• Hurt Man Rescue
• Two mystery events

Description of a Groundman
A Groundman is a non-climbing participant of the team.  He will be allowed to climb if one of the climbing linemen should have to drop out for any reason.

The Groundman must be a journeyman lineman to replace a climbing member of the team.  If the Groundman were to replace a journeyman, an alternate as Groundman to keep the team a whole unit must replace him.

Apprentices
Apprentices also compete in the Rodeo.  They compete as individuals in five events:

• Pole Climb
• Hurt Man Rescue
• Written Test – (Given on Friday June 13, after registration)
• Two mystery events

Description of Apprentice

A person is considered an apprentice for 4 years after they enter an apprenticeship.  That definition will be used as the criteria for eligibility in entering the Lineman’s Rodeo.

If a person has been an apprentice for over 4 years they will not be allowed to enter the apprentice events.  If a person who is classified as a Journeyman with one company were to obtain employment with another company in an apprentice classification, that person will not be permitted to enter the apprentice events.  If an Apprentice makes Journeyman before August 1, 2008, they will not be permitted to enter the rodeo as an Apprentice.  If they make Journeyman after August 1, they will be permitted to compete as an apprentice.

Scoring
Scoring will be judged for:

• Safety
• Work practice
• Neatness and ability
• Equipment handling
• Timely completion of the event

Time will be used only to break a tie.

Total number of events for each team:  4

Scoring  (cont’d)

The Events must be completed in the order shown on your schedule.  Each event must be marked complete by an event judge before you can start the next event.

The winning team or apprentice will be determined by the total number of deductions and in the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the total time to complete all events.  Bonus points will not be added for winning or placing in an event.

Scoring Verification

Teams are encouraged to verify the scores that are input into the scoring system.  The
results will be available at the command center shortly after a team completes an event.  
The final scores or standings will not be available at the Rodeo Event.  All final scores
and event standings will be revealed at the Awards Banquet following the competition.

Infractions – 2 Point Deduction   IMPORTANT PLEASE READ:

• Lose hard hat
• Wearing hard hat backwards
• Not wearing safety glasses
• Improper cover up – i.e. No rubber on reach, fall or slip
• Dropping tools
• Cutouts, burnouts, or slips
• Hot-dogging –0 Hot-dogging is defined as a lineman “being out of control”.  Examples:  both gaffs out of the pole at the same time drop steps, excessive uncontrolled speed.  Maintain one gaff in the pole at all times.
• No hand line operation while team is climbing
• Misuse of tools
• Misuse of rubber
• Ground man must wear work gloves
• Twisted hand line operation
• Not wearing OSHA approved lineman belt
• Poor Housekeeping
• Exceeding the mean time to complete an event, except for hurt man rescue and pole climb.  The mean time will be given for all mystery events.
• Long sleeved shirts are required.  If shirt has buttons on the sleeves, they must be buttoned not pushed or rolled up.
• Exposed blade on skinning knife
• Safety strap not being under control.  Both snaps of the safety strap must be hooked in a D ring while climbing the pole.  The safety strap may be carried on the shoulder, but if it should slide of the shoulder the contestant will receive a 2-point deduction.
• Hanging tools on phase conductors, neutrals, crossarms or safety straps.

 

General Rules – 10 Point Deduction

• Accidental contact with phases
• Working opposite phases at same time
• Not using hand line or bucket for sending material up or down pole
• Second man starts climbing before first man is buckled off.

 

Disqualification

• Unprofessional behavior
• Practicing on the Rodeo field prior to the Rodeo.
• Intentional sabotage or tampering with materials, tools or equipment on the Rodeo field.
• Unapproved use of alternates or changing status of team members during the events.  See Chief or Master Judge for approved use of alternates or change in team status during Rodeo.
• Protests need to be by team only.  No help from spectators or others.
• Modifying rubber gloves in any way.

Tools
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ

Each contestant must bring his or her own hooks, belt, hardhat, safety glasses, cotton or flame retardant long-sleeved shirt, hand tools, 20KV rubber gloves, protectors, hand lines, hood bag and line hose bags.  Rubber gloves may be inspected in all events, where they are to be used.  Velcro straps on climbers must be used as manufactured.  No modifications, such as cutting the Velcro shorter, are allowed.  In general, no tool modifications are allowed.

Handline hook shall be used, shall not hang handline on body belt. 

All teams must use the Bashlin #35 handline hook.  The handline (or pulley line) must have a sheave in it and must have an approved “Becky” for hanging on the pole. An approved “Becky” consists of an eye plaited into the sheave, another eye on the opposite end to snap back into the sheave and three loops for adjustment of length.

In all journeyman events the last person who comes down the pole must be the one to drop the handline.

Any special tools required for the mystery events will be provided and must be used.
Please make sure that your tools are clearly marked with your name for identification.

Journeyman and Apprentice Tool Inspection

Random tool inspections will be done throughout the day to check for safe condition and alterations of tools such as:

• Tape on Straps
• Tapered cuts on straps
• Buckles filed
• Fingers Cut out of gloves–Rubber gloves will be inspected at each climbing event for Journeyman. (A team will be disqualified for modifying rubber gloves in any way).
• Elongated holes in straps and belts
• Improper gaff length
• Penalty for altered tools – 2 to 10 points as determined by the judge.

The points will be deducted from the event that the team is competing in at the time the altered tool is discovered.

Event Construction

Journeyman and Apprentice events:

• Hurt Man Rescue: 8’ cross arms with wood braces.  Brace mountings will be 30: out and 21” down from the arm (gain) hole.  40’ class 4 or 5 poles.

• Pole Climb:  40’ class 4 or 5 poles with 4’ cross arms (no conductor)

 

Mystery events:  To be 40’ class 4 or 5 poles.  All materials and tools supplied 

** All competitors will be required to sign a release upon registration**

 

Judges and Event Judging Guidelines

We prefer to have Judges from all utilities and contractors attending the Rodeo.  Otherwise the majority of the Judges come from AEP/Appalachian Power Company.  Please send Judges who have had personal line experience and preferably are supervisors.  We are asking for at least one Judge for each participating team.  All Judges need to make arrangements to be in Charleston and attend the Judges Meeting on Friday, June 13, at the Charleston House Holiday Inn, Charleston,  at 2:00 P.M.  If you have any questions please feel free to call 304-348-4196. 

Each event is worth a total of 100 points.  All Safety rules are to be observed during events.