2023 Gaff-n-Go Terex Equipment Operator’s Rodeo

Photo ID: All participants must bring a photo ID with them to register. This identification will be needed to pick up your packets.

In order to ensure your name is included in the Rodeo Program, please have your entry form and fees returned by April 1, 2023. If you miss the April 1st cut-off, you may still be able to compete. We will accept check, VISA, or MasterCard, or American Express for entry fees. EQUIPMENT OPERATOR’S RODEO registration check-in will be held at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia, on Friday, May 19 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

TEAMS

A team consists of three participants in any combination of equipment operators, apprentices, and journeymen. First, second and third-place winners will receive prizes and awards at the Awards Banquet on Saturday evening, May 20.

All teams members must be sponsored and employed by a cooperative/muni/investor-owned utility/contractor and covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance.

JUDGES

The EQUIPMENT OPERATOR’S RODEO continues to grow, so we are asking for your help in judging. If you are or ever were a qualified practicing, working lineworker/equipment operator, you are eligible to be a judge. When you volunteer to be a judge, it is important to attend the Judges Meeting at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 19, before the rodeo. In this meeting, each event is reviewed and final instructions are given so that our judging can be fair and consistent. The teams in the rodeo have spent many hours preparing to compete and deserve dedicated judges interested in fair and consistent judging. Please review the list of items below to see what is expected and needed to participate as a judge.

• Prior experience in the Electrical Trade
• Attend the Judges Meeting on Friday
• Wear Hard Hats
• Wear Long Pants
• Wear Hard Sole Shoes
• Inclement Weather Gear is not required; however, it is a good idea to be prepared as the rodeo goes on, rain or shine.

Judges will receive a complimentary lunch on Friday and a ticket for the awards banquet on Saturday evening where they will receive recognition for their contribution. We need and welcome judges from all participating utilities and companies. Please use the Judges Registration Form to volunteer for judging. Thank you for your support!!

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Where do the lineworkers/equipment operators have to be employed?
Any operating utility and/or contractor. The lineworkers/equipment operators must be sponsored by their employer and covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

Will any events use aerial buckets?
Yes.

Will we have to sign a liability release?
Yes.

Will there be a First Aid Station and/or a Paramedic at the Rodeo?
Yes. There will be two EMS units on site.

Will there be seating for family members and spectators?
You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs since seating is limited at the rodeo site. There is little to no natural shade at the Meadow Event Park. Utilities are also invited to bring team tents.

Will there be soft drinks and food to purchase at the Rodeo?
Concession stands will be selling soft drinks and food.

Where do participants check in?
All participants should check in on Friday, May 19, from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at the Farm Bureau building in front of the festival loop. (All three team members must be present to sign waivers and receive rodeo packet.)

Will video footage be allowed to settle judging disputes?
No.

Is parking available to unload tools and equipment?
Parking is available at the Meadow Event Park. You should arrive by 10 A.M. on Friday, May 19, to unload equipment and tools.

Who may protest a call?
The team must be the one to protest a call. Involvement by spectators in a protest may result in the team being disqualified. No team will be allowed to protest another competitor.

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

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 will be determined by the total number of deductions. 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 registration building after a team completes all their required events. The final score and team standings will not be available at the Rodeo Event. All final scores and event standings will be posted on the www.gaff-n-go.com homepage by Monday, May 22nd .

Tools

All contestants need to bring their own hard hat, safety glasses, cotton or flame-retardant long-sleeved shirt and leather work gloves.

Each event is worth a total of 100 points. All safety rules are to be observed during the events. See the following list for point deductions:

Infractions – 2 Point Deduction

• Late for event
• Lose hardhat
• Wearing hardhat backwards
• Not wearing safety glasses
• Improper cover-up – i.e. No rubber on reach, fall or slip
• Dropping tools
• Cutouts, burnouts, or slips
• Operation of hand line while team is climbing
• Misuse of tools
• Misuse of rubber
• Failure of Groundman to wear work gloves
• Twisted hand line operation
• Not wearing OSHA approved lineworker belt or harness
• 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.
• Failure to wear long sleeved shirts. 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 off the shoulder, the contestant will receive a 2-point deduction.
• Hanging tools on phase conductors, neutrals, cross arms or safety straps.

INFRACTIONS – 10 Point Deduction

• At each climbing event for Apprentices or Journeymen, a ring will be painted around the pole at the six-foot mark. If the contestant cuts out from below the ring and comes to the ground, 6 feet or less, this will result in a 10-point deduction. If after both feet pass above the six-foot mark, the climber cuts out and comes to the ground, the Journeyman team or Apprentice will be disqualified from the rodeo. If after transitioning past the neutral the climber cuts out and falls to the neutral, then there will be a 10-point deduction. Any other cutout or slip will be scored as found in the infraction section.
• Accidental contact with phases
• Working opposite phases at the same time
• Not using hand line or bucket for sending material up or down pole

Disqualification

• At each climbing event for Apprentices or Journeymen, a ring will be painted around the pole at the six-foot mark. If the contestant cuts out from below the ring and comes to the ground, 6 feet or less, this will result in a 10-point deduction. If after both feet pass above the six-foot mark, the climber cuts out and comes to the ground, the Journeyman team or Apprentice will be disqualified from the rodeo. If after transitioning past the neutral the climber cuts out and falls to the neutral, then there will be a 10-point deduction. Any other cutout or slip will be scored as found in the infraction section.
• 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 Master Judge for approved use of alternates or changes in team status during Rodeo
• Protests made by someone other than contestants
• Modifying rubber gloves in any way