A Close Call

Andy Pursell - 2008-12-21 15:01:15

If you've been working in this trade for awhile, you can always remember your close calls. That is when even though you can't see the electricity, it's surely quick to let you know it's there. One night a storm blew through town and knocked the power out for a couple hundred people. I was called out to work this trouble.

The company I was working for used the gloving method off the pole. Meaning we would climb the poles and work 7200 volts off our hooks and the only safety barrier between us and the wire were our 30,000 volt gloves and our rubber sleeves that we wore to protect our hands and arms from making direct contact to the live wires.

The particular pole I was working on had a bad transformer and we had to replace it. I climbed up about 3/4 of the way and hung my handline. I called down to the guys to send up my rubber goods so that I could cover the live wires. After covering them it started to drizzle rain. Now we all know that water and electricity don't mix. But, being a lineman, we work in all sorts of climate conditions. Anyway I was bound and determined to restore power as quickly as possible so I could get out of the weather. I climbed up to the top of the pole and got into position to hang my handline. As soon as I wrapped my handline around the top of the pole the electricity started tracking across my gloves and sleeves giving me a sensation I will never forget. The electricity was attacking every joint in my body letting me know it was there. I don't know how I broke free, but I did. I think the Big Guy upstairs was watching out for me. After I broke free I realized how dangerous this job really is. I finished the job and my body was sore the next day. And that was one close call I will never forget.

Framing Wrench

A Close Call