The 2017 Lineworkers Rodeo will be held on March 31 st and April 1 st at Horry-Georgetown Technical College. The Apprentice Written Test will take place at 1:00PM on Friday afternoon following the vendor s show. The opening ceremony of the main event will begin at 8:00AM Saturday. The rodeo is a competition where lineworkers can showcase their skills and knowledge in a fun and safe environment. The rodeo is also a fellowship where lineworkers can strengthen their skills and improve their knowledge in the areas of teamwork, safety, and productivity. Families are encouraged to attend and support their favorite lineworkers. This year family friendly activities will be scheduled throughout the day. Everyone attending the rodeo is asked to park in HGTC s overflow parking. The rodeo entrance will be highly visible from the parking area. Golf carts/atvs will not be allowed on the rodeo grounds this year. Exceptions will be made for the handicapped. The awards ceremony will take place in the HGTC Auditorium immediately following the rodeo competition. Journeyman teams and apprentices will compete in the following divisions: - Journeyman - Apprentice CLIMBERS WILL AT ALL TIMES BE 100% FALL RESTRICTED
Journeyman Team Events Team Hurtman Rescue Phase Tie-In / Knot Tying Double Cut-out Change Double Crossarm Change Down Primary Apprentice Events Written Test Hurtman Rescue Phase Tie-In / Knot Tying Backyard Light Change Fuse Replacement Events & Specifications Event descriptions, specifications, and a list of common infractions are included on the following pages. Who can compete/eligibility? Any qualified lineworker (past or present) employed by Santee Cooper or a Cooperative of South Carolina is eligible to compete in this rodeo. Apprentices A lineworker with less than four years experience will be considered an apprentice. Anyone that has been a lineworker for four years or more must compete as a journeyman. Each apprentice will be required to wear a competitor number on their back, which will be provided in the registration packet. Packets will be available for pick up at the registration table on the morning of the rodeo. Written Test scores may only be obtained after all other events are completed. Journeyman Teams Teams consist of two journeyman climbers, one ground man, and an optional alternate who must meet all requirements. Team members must declare their positions prior to the start of the competition. Team members will remain in their assigned position for the entire competition. No rotating of positions from one event to the next will be allowed, except in the case of injury. The alternate may replace an injured teammate. Each team member will be required to wear a team number on their back, which will be provided in the registration packet. Packets will be available for pick up at the registration table on the morning of the rodeo.
Registering - Registration Deadline is March 3 rd, 2017. Teams and Apprentices Entry forms are located in the back of this manual and are available for download on the rodeo website (www.santeecooper.com/rodeo). Completed forms should be submitted to the designated contact located on each form. On the day of the event, competitors should report to the registration table beginning at 7:30AM to pick up registration packets and sign release forms. The packets will include competitor shirts, numbers, and an order of events. Event Judges Judges should have experience/knowledge based upon line work or Transmission and/or Distribution Operations. Note: There will be a mandatory judges meeting on Friday, Mar 31st, 2017 at 10AM. If you are interested in judging an event, complete and submit the appropriate form. Judges are also needed to help administer the Apprentice Written Test on Friday at 1PM. Registration forms are located in the back of this manual and also are available for download on the rodeo website (www.santeecooper.com/rodeo). Volunteer Assistants We need volunteers for a variety of tasks, such as greeters, runners, entry/exit auditors, children s events, truck operators, etc. If you are interested in volunteering, complete and submit the appropriate form. Registration forms are located in the back of this manual and also are available for download on the rodeo website (www.santeecooper.com/rodeo).
Tools - Each competitor will need to bring their own: Class 2 or higher rated rubber gloves Climbing tools Personal protective equipment Hand Lines Hand Tools Line hose and hood bags Protectors Tarp Insulated sticks The competitor must also furnish their own cover-up (which will be class 2 or higher - blankets, hoods & line hoses), hot sticks, etc. Competitors must also furnish all other tools needed to complete the events as outlined in the event descriptions. No power/battery tools will be allowed in any rodeo event. A tarp must be utilized on all events that require insulated cover up, hot sticks, hot hoist, etc. All tools and equipment must remain off the ground and on the tarp during these events. Tarps are not necessary on events simulated de-energized and grounded. No equipment modifications are allowed see general rule 6. Please make sure your tools are marked for identification. Contesting a Call Although we try to avoid any contested calls, there may be a time when the competitor feels the need to contest a deduction. The team or apprentice must be the one to contest the call. No team or apprentice will be allowed to contest another team or apprentice. If a competitor wishes to contest a call they must take their grievance to the Chief Event Judge before the competitor leaves the event area. The Chief Event Judge will settle the dispute. During the event greeting process, Chief Event Judges are identified for competitors.
If the competitor is not satisfied with the ruling, the competitor may then elect to take their protest to the Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee will consist of the Journeyman Master Judge, the Apprentice Master Judge, and the Chief Event Judge for the event under question. If the Appeals Committee upholds the Chief Event Judges ruling, the team forfeits two points. The decision made by the Appeals Committee is final. Injury If a competitor is injured and the injury requires first aid, the master judge will decide if the competitor will be allowed to continue with the competition due to the extent of the injury. If the injury requires medical treatment outside of the rodeo grounds, the injured competitor will not be allowed to return to the competition. Event Rotation & Score Sheet Procedure Events must be completed in the exact order shown on your order of events sheet. The order of events sheet is located in the registration packet. Packets can be picked up at the rodeo s registration table between 7:30AM and 8:00AM. If competitors fail to follow their order of events without permission from the Master Judge, they will forfeit 2 points per event skipped. When a competitor enters an event, the Event Judge will pull the scoring sheet with that competitor s information such as competitor name, number, and utility. After event completion, the Event Judge will go over any deductions and the total score with the competitor. The Chief Judge will then sign and distribute the scoring sheet with the yellow copy going to the competitor, the pink copy staying with the Chief Judge, and the white copy being given to the runner to take to the scoring table.
Scoring /Judging Guidelines The rodeo committee set forth the guidelines listed on the following pages. Each event will be worth a total of 100 points. Time will be used as a tiebreaker only. The team or apprentice will be given a copy of the score sheet at the conclusion of each event. Using laptops, a scoring committee will enter the data into a spreadsheet to check the tally and tabulate the total of all scores. Fall Arrest Device Requirements 1. The fall arrest device shall be adjusted according to the manufacturer s recommendation. 2. When the fall arrest belt must be detached to cross an obstacle, the cross-over lanyard shall be attached above the obstacle first. 3. After crossing an obstacle, the fall arrest device shall be re-attached and properly adjusted before work resumes. Implementation of Full Fall Arrest Due to the OSHA final rule effective April 1 st, 2015, the Lineworkers Rodeo will be requiring the mandatory use of personal fall protection for all Journeyman Team and Apprentice climbing events. Fall protection systems shall be supplied by the competitor and be used in accordance with the manufacturer s specifications along with the use of a secondary work positioning strap or lanyard while transitioning around attachments on the pole. While using the secondary positioning strap or lanyard the competitor shall not get into a position to allow for a free fall greater than 2 feet. Climbers will not be permitted to ascend or descend with both the fall arrest device and the secondary positioning lanyard around the pole. It will be a requirement for every event that the secondary positioning lanyard be disconnected and parked on a D-Ring after transitioning above or below hardware on the pole. With that being said, no climber will be allowed to work from the secondary positioning lanyard alone and must make a full transition and be in full fall arrest prior to doing any work.
Judging Guidelines Judging will be based on the following: 1. The fall arrest system is being used in accordance with the manufacturer s specifications. 2. The climber keeps the fall arrest system adjusted properly at all times. 3. The climber does not create a potential free fall greater than 2 feet. 4. All cutouts will be judged the same as in the general rules (i.e. loss of control and fall to the ground) Note: All infractions will be a two point deduction with the exception to a fall to the ground which will be assessed as a ten point deduction. Demonstrational Videos DBI SALA Cynch-Lok (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vqz1_gunh4) Buckingham Super Squeeze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr7o46cmlzq) Bashlin Pole Lariat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hottisncc8w) JELCO Pole Choker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axbvdjdzizi) Miller Stop-Fall System (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxbfuovd7_i) Frequently Asked Questions Q: How will it be determined by the judge that a system is not adjusted properly? A: If a climber is ascending or descending freely without his/her hands on the device then it will be deemed that the system is out of adjustment. Q: Can the device be on the pole prior to start time of the event? Both of the climber s equipment?
A: Yes, the equipment may be attached to the pole prior to the start of the event. The second climber will not be allowed to attach until the first climber has stopped ascending. Q: When transferring above equipment can the fall arrest be left in place and a secondary safety be used thereafter? A: No. The fall arrest system must stay attached to the climber s belt at all times. General Rules 1. All safety rules are to be observed during events. 2. Rubber gloves are required for all simulated energized events and will be inspected. 3. Hard hats and safety glasses are required for all events. 4. Hooks must be equipped with gaff guards outside event circle. 5. Long sleeve shirts are required. 6. A tool inspection may be conducted by the event judge to check for safe condition and for any alterations to tools. If alterations are discovered, teams or apprentices will be deducted either 2 or 10 points at the judge s discretion, and referred to the Appeals Committee should a call be contested. Points deducted will be deducted from the event that the competitor is competing in at the time the alterations are discovered. 7. Competitors will receive 5 minutes to ask questions and lay out tools, materials, etc., before each event starts. 8. Competitors will be allowed to affix the Fall Arrest belt to the pole during the set-up time. 9. Video footage will not be allowed to settle judging disputes.
10. Cheering is encouraged, but professional coaching from supporters outside individual event arenas will not be allowed. Such incidents will be addressed by first issuing a warning and if continued will result in 2 points being deducted from the competitor. 11. A tarp must be utilized on all events that require it. No tools are allowed to be on ground. 12. Proper rigging using approve hardware on pole unless specified in event specifications. 13. Meters do not have to be functional. Infractions 2 point deduction 1. Loose hardhat. 2. Wearing hardhat backwards. 3. Not wearing safety glasses. 4. Failure to have fall arrest belt adjusted properly. 5. Failure to cover hook gaffs with gaff guards outside event circle. 6. Climber doing ground work inside circle without gaff guards on. 7. Improper cover up i.e. no reach fall or slip. (If in your reach fall it needs to be covered) 8. Twisted hand line operation. 9. Dropping tools, materials, or equipment. 10. Cutout with loss of control on pole. 11. Hot dogging. Out of control. Example: excessive uncontrolled speed, drop steps, etc.
12. Failure to keep at least one gaff in the pole at all times. 13. Hand line operation while climber is climbing. 14. Work being performed on the pole while another climber is climbing. 15. Misuse of tools. 16. Misuse of insulated cover-up. 17. Not wearing a long sleeved shirt. (Sleeves must be down) 18. Injuries or cuts which result in bleeding. 19. Loss of control. 20. Not wearing OSHA approved lineworker s body belt. 21. Poor housekeeping. 22. Exceeding the event time. 23. Ground man not wearing work gloves. 24. Climbers not wearing work gloves (when rubber gloves are not required) to perform work. 25. Climbers failing to wear rubber gloves (in events where they are required) ground to ground. 26. Cross-over lanyard not being snapped back in the D-ring after crossing an obstacle. 27. Hanging tools on phase conductors, neutrals, cross arms, or safety straps. 28. Failure to maintain approved minimum approach distances.
29. Failure to follow event rotation schedule (order of events). 30. Professional coaching (step-by-step instruction) from outside the event arena. 31. All tools must be manufacture approve and must not be altered. 32. Others as determined by individual event descriptions. Infractions 10 point deduction 1. Accidental contact with phases (with any equipment other than rated and approved live line tools). 2. Working opposite phases (simulated energized) at the same time. 3. Not using hand line, bucket, or material bag for sending tools or materials up or down the pole. 4. More than one climber ascending or descending at the same time. 5. Failure to wear gloves ground to ground. 6. Cut out which results in fall to ground or fall-arrest belt catching climbers weight. 7. Exceeding the drop dead time on any event. (Competitor(s) will be stopped and asked to return the event site back to its original condition.) 8. Unsafe alterations to manufactured tools and equipment. 9. Others as determined by individual event descriptions. Infractions Disqualification 1. Unprofessional behavior.
2. Practicing on rodeo field prior to rodeo. 3. Intentional sabotage or tampering with materials, tools, or equipment on the rodeo field. 4. Unapproved use of alternates or changing status of team members during the events. 5. Failure to attempt an event. Questions and Answers All event questions must be submitted in writing. (Email or U.S. Postal Service) Your question and the answer will be posted on the rodeo website in a timely manner. No question will be answered over the phone or in person. Your question will be reviewed with the Chief Event Judge and the Master Judge.