Team Events:

**For all team events: The first climber must stop and be in position before the second climber can climb.**

Hurtman Rescue

 1. How is the new hook attached to the Ox-Block?

The carabiner is removed by removing the bolt from the ox-block.  The new hook is put in place of the carabiner with the adjustable sling.  (See picture)

 2. Can we climb without our secondary safeties since there are not any transitions?

Yes.

3. Can we carry our fixed blade knives in our regular tool pouch or do we need a sheath specific to the knife on our belt?

Yes, as long as the blade is covered when not in use.

4. I read in the questions from last year that it was ok to not use a break away hook to carry the Ox Block up the pole due to its weight. Is that still the case this year?

No.  A breakaway hook must be used.

5. Can the hand-line be split before climbing the pole? If not, can we hang the hook of the line in the block so it is up there and ready to split?

Yes, it can be split.

6. How many clicks do we need to get on the ox block?

You must make two complete wraps on the Ox Block which is 3 clicks.

7.  Can the OX Hook be used with the gate locked open and placed in the hole in the crossarm?

No.  According to Buckingham when used during a rescue the gate must be closed.

8. Can we split and prep the ox block in our set up time or after clock starts?

Yes, you can during your 5 minute set up time.

9. Can the Ox Hook be used with the gate locked open and placed in the hole in the crossarm?

No, according to Buckingham, when used during a rescue the gate must be closed.

10. Do we leave the handline on the pole after the manikin is dropped?

Yes. The truck operator will take care of placing the handline back in position.

VC1-2 Insulator Change

 1. Does the voltage tester have to attach to an extendo or shotgun stick?

It must attach to an extendo or shotgun stick and must touch all three phases being tested.

2. Are the blades going to be mounted on the pole where the neutral is going to be an obstacle?

We will use dropouts with solid blades in them instead of fuse barrels. They will be mounted on the crossarm of the dead-end pole and face the middle of the pole, so that the guy wires will not interfere when opening/closing them. The neutral should not be an issue.

3. What is the minimum size of wire required for the grounds?

Minimum of #2 AWG copper

4. When we send the old insulators down, is the groundman required to take them out of the bag and put them back in before sending them back up?

There will be three new insulators provided. The groundman will be required to take the old ones out of the bag and place the new ones in the bag.

5. If we choose equipotential grounding, we have to install a grounding cluster on the pole with ground going to neutral then neutral to phase to phase to phase, which would require one set of grounds, correct?

APPA Safety Manual states: 507.14 a) ” a chain binder, with provisions for attaching a personal protective ground, shall be tightened around the pole at a position below where the lineman will place his feet.

6. Can our groundman install the cluster at say waist height with one end of ground installed on the cluster, then pull the neutral end up to the lineman on a handline?

The groundman can install the cluster. He will have to wear rubber gloves while installing the binder and pulling the other end up to the lineman.

7. If we choose bracket grounding, we have to use two sets of grounds right?

Bracket grounding does require two sets of grounds.

8. Will the middle phase be tied on a pole top pin?

Yes, the middle phase will be on a pole top pin

9. Will you use 8′ or 10′ wood or fiberglass crossarms?

8′ wood with heaby braces

10. Do you have to close the switches back from the eye on the fuse barrel?

Yes, you have to use the rings opening and closing.

11. Can the man on the pole place the ground from cluster to neutral with leather gloves?

No, rubber gloves must be worn until the line is effectively grounded.

12. If using bracket grounds is acceptable, can we install the neutral connection by hand?

Yes, with rubber gloves on.

13. Are the insulators used going o be the Hendrix or the 25kV porcelain?

Hendrix 25kV

3 Phase Tie Event

1. The line will already be considered dead and grounded, is there a procedure for de-energizing?

The line is considered dead and grounded before the event begins.

2. Do we still climb in rubber gloves?

Rubber gloves are not required for this event.

3. Are the rollers going to be provided? If so, what kind of dollies are being used?

Yes, stringing dollies will be supplied. Make and model will be posted shortly.

4. Will we receive a new set of ties?

Each team will be supplied a new set of preform ties.

5. What is the manufacturer name and part name for the preform tie being used?

The tie is a Preform WTJ-0406

6. What string dollies will be used?

Below are the dollie and ratchet type base that will be used:

Hot Cutout Change

1. Will #6 copper with 2- hotline clamps be considered a rated temporary jumper?

NO, it will need to be a hot insulated jumper.

2. Are the stirrups considered a permanent connection and required to be brushed?

6. Can the first climber transition over the neutral before its covered up as long as they don’t make contact?

No.

7. Can the bags with the sticks be in the air tagged out while the second climber climbs?

No.

8. Is a blanket sufficient on the neutral to cover up?

No, you usually need two line hoses and a blanket depending on how you work it

9.  Is a ground sufficient for the ground?

It has to be rated 4 kV

10. Can you work out of your secondary safety if you can’t fall more than 2 feet?

No, whenever you transition around something, you must return back to your fall restraint and stow your secondary away.

Apprentice Events:

Hurtman Rescue

 1. How is the new hook attached to the Ox-Block?

The carabiner is removed by removing the bolt from the ox-block.  The new hook is put in place of the carabiner with the adjustable sling.  (See picture)

2. Can we climb without our secondary safeties since there are not any transitions?

Yes.

3. Can we carry our fixed blade knives in our regular tool pouch or do we need a sheath specific to the knife on our belt?

Yes, as long as the blade is covered when not in use.

4. I read in the questions from last year that it was ok to not use a break away hook to carry the Ox Block up the pole due to its weight. Is that still the case this year?

No.  A breakaway hook must be used.

5. Can the hand-line be split before climbing the pole? If not, can we hang the hook of the line in the block so it is up there and ready to split?

Yes, it can be split.

 6. How many clicks do we need to get on the ox block?

You must make two complete wraps on the Ox Block which is 3 clicks.

7.  Can the OX Hook be used with the gate locked open and placed in the hole in the crossarm?

No.  According to Buckingham when used during a rescue the gate must be closed.

8. Can we split and prep the ox block in our set up time or after clock starts?

Yes, you can during your 5 minute set up time.

9. Can the Ox Hook be used with the gate locked open and placed in the hole in the crossarm?

No, according to Buckingham, when used during a rescue the gate must be closed.

10. Do we leave the handline on the pole after the manikin is dropped?

Yes. The truck operator will take care of placing the handline back in position.

B-1 Tie In (**Please use the current description for this event — Both phases are to be tied in with a preform wrap tie)

1. Does the material bag have to stay at the top of the pole with you or can you grab the ties out and then return the bag to the ground?

The material bag needs to be left at the top with you.  You have to put everything back to normal when you are through, so you will need your bag.

A-6 Bell Change

1. Can the hoist strap lay on top of pole or come in contact with the pole?

The strap hoist can come in contact with the pole.

2. Will there be a drive hook at the top of the pole?

No.

3. In the prep time, can the competitor take the pins out of the multi skirts that are to be installed and reuse the ones that are on the pole?

Competitor will be required to use all new hardware provided. You will be able set it up how you want to in your prep time.

4. When we transition over the neutral, can we leave our secondary around the pole and carry it up with our primary?

No. It must be parked back on your D rings.

5. Can we use snatch blocks?

No, a web hoist must be used.

6. Is this a leather or rubber glove event?

Leather glove.

Dead Lift

1. Can we let this run through our gloves fast or do we have to end over end the rope?

No, you cannot let the rope run through your hands. It must be let down hand over hand.

Written Test

1. 

Individual Journeyman:

Hurtman Rescue

 1. How is the new hook attached to the Ox-Block?

The carabiner is removed by removing the bolt from the ox-block.  The new hook is put in place of the carabiner with the adjustable sling.  (See picture)

2. Can we climb without our secondary safeties since there are not any transitions?

Yes.

3. Can we carry our fixed blade knives in our regular tool pouch or do we need a sheath specific to the knife on our belt?

Yes, as long as the blade is covered when not in use.

4. I read in the questions from last year that it was ok to not use a break away hook to carry the Ox Block up the pole due to its weight. Is that still the case this year?

No.  A breakaway hook must be used.

5. Can the hand-line be split before climbing the pole? If not, can we hang the hook of the line in the block so it is up there and ready to split?

Yes, it can be split.

 6. How many clicks do we need to get on the ox block?

You must make two complete wraps on the Ox Block which is 3 clicks.

7.  Can the OX Hook be used with the gate locked open and placed in the hole in the crossarm?

No.  According to Buckingham when used during a rescue the gate must be closed.

8. Can we split and prep the ox block in our set up time or after clock starts?

Yes, you can during your 5 minute set up time.

9. Can the Ox Hook be used with the gate locked open and placed in the hole in the crossarm?

No, according to Buckingham, when used during a rescue the gate must be closed.

10. Do we leave the handline on the pole after the manikin is dropped?

Yes. The truck operator will take care of placing the handline back in position.

A-6 Bell Change

1. Can the hoist strap lay on top of pole or come in contact with the pole?

The strap hoist can come in contact with the pole.

2. Will there be a drive hook at the top of the pole?

No.

3. In the prep time, can the competitor take the pins out of the multi skirts that are to be installed and reuse the ones that are on the pole?

Competitor will be required to use all new hardware provided. You will be able set it up how you want to in your prep time.

 4. When we transition over the neutral, can we leave our secondary around the pole and carry it up with our primary?

No. It must be parked back on your d rings.

5. Can we use snatch blocks?

No, a web hoist must be used.

6. Is this a leather or rubber glove event?

Leather glove.

Cutout Change

1. Are rubber gloves required for this event?

No, rubber gloves are not required.

2. Can we have the fall restraint on the pole when we start?

You may have the fall restraint in a starting position on the pole.

3. Will there be a cap on the arrestor?

No, there will not be a cap on the arrestor.

4. Question 13 says all tools & material will be lowered to the ground after stingers are put back on – this would mean you would have to climb down below the neutral with the bag and materials – please clarify.

You may lower the old switch and arrestor whenever you want. Question 13 is referring to anything else you may have that needs to go down, like the hand line.  Hand line can’t come down until all work is complete and you are ready to descent the pole.

5. Does hand line have to be hung on the pole to use the shotgun stick to take off and put on stingers?

Hand line has to be attached to the pole raising or lowering any material.

6. Will the arrestor be made up completely wrapped or “U” shaped?

“U” shaped.

Skill Climb

 1. Do we have to hang the handline before transition or only while work is preformed?

You can transition with the handline on your belt. The handline has to be hung off on the pole or arm while work is being performed.

2. Can we railroad the handline down before we start coming down?

Yes the handline must be railed down.

3. Leather or rubber gloves?

This event will require rubber gloves.

4. After we run the event and hit the ground, can we remove the rubber gloves and use leather gloves to run the stick?

Yes, you can use leather gloves to run the ext. stick.

5. Does the hand line have to be moved to each individual arm as you are working or can it be hung on the bottom arm and left there until you climb back down?

The hand line has to be within reaching distance from the bottom arm and the top arm or it can be moved to each location.

Senior events:

Hurtman Rescue

 1. How is the new hook attached to the Ox-Block?

The carabiner is removed by removing the bolt from the ox-block.  The new hook is put in place of the carabiner with the adjustable sling.  (See picture)

2. Can we climb without our secondary safeties since there are not any transitions?

Yes.

3. Can we carry our fixed blade knives in our regular tool pouch or do we need a sheath specific to the knife on our belt?

Yes, as long as the blade is covered when not in use.

4. I read in the questions from last year that it was ok to not use a break away hook to carry the Ox Block up the pole due to its weight. Is that still the case this year?

No.  A breakaway hook must be used.

5. Can the hand-line be split before climbing the pole? If not, can we hang the hook of the line in the block so it is up there and ready to split?

Yes, it can be split.

 6. How many clicks do we need to get on the ox block?

You must make two complete wraps on the Ox Block which is 3 clicks.

7.  Can the OX Hook be used with the gate locked open and placed in the hole in the crossarm?

No.  According to Buckingham when used during a rescue the gate must be closed.

8. Can we split and prep the ox block in our set up time or after clock starts?

Yes, you can during your 5 minute set up time.

9. Can the Ox Hook be used with the gate locked open and placed in the hole in the crossarm?

No, according to Buckingham, when used during a rescue the gate must be closed.

10. Do we leave the handline on the pole after the manikin is dropped?

Yes. The truck operator will take care of placing the handline back in position.

B-7 Insulator Change

 1. Can this product (picture below) made by Bashlin be used to hand my snatch blocks instead of using a sling?

This device only has a WLL (Working Load Limit) of 500 lbs.  This device would not be allowed for use in the event without a 2-point deduction.  In the event description, it indicates the Work Load will be equal to or less than 700 lbs.  (3. Competitor shall provide all tools/equipment; running hand line, blocks, hoist, slings, grips, material bags, etc. and any other tools/equipment needed. All applicable tools/equipment must have a legible tag/stamp indicating working load limit. Work Load for this event will be equal to or less than 700 lbs.)  Failure to provide tools/equipment suitable for work to be performed is a 2-point deduction.

2. Is there a certain bell that has to be changed or is it a choice?

Your choice.

Dead Lift

1. Can we let this run through our gloves fast or do we have to end over end the rope?

No, you cannot let the rope run through your hands. It must be let down hand over hand.