2023 APPRENTICE EVENT Written Test  Friday, May 19th – 5:00 p.m. – All questions will be taken from The Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook, 13th Edition

2023 APPRENTICE EVENT APPRENTICE BASIC LIFE SUPPORT

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – Automated External Defibrillation
(CPR w/ A.E.D.)

The purpose of this event is for the apprentice lineman to demonstrate proper care of a co-worker who suffers sudden cardiac arrest. This is a two-part event consisting of a demonstration of the physical skills needed for performance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillation followed by a written test on these same skills.

An apprentice and a journeyman have just left the line truck and are preparing to begin work. The journeyman suffers sudden cardiac arrest and collapses to the ground.  As subsequent assessments will reveal, his normal breathing has ceased. The manikin will represent the journeyman. One of the judges will be a Good Samaritan who will call 911 and retrieve AED.

• Time starts at the Judge’s signal. Apprentice will go to the aid of the Journeyman following the protocols of Guidelines 2010, One Rescuer CPR Adult with AED.

• For purposes of this event, time will stop after 3 cycles of compressions and breathes have been given following the first shock.
• Each contestant will be issued his own individual sanitized face piece; therefore it will not be necessary to utilize a face shield. This exercise does not require the use of protective gloves.

Materials Provided
CPR Manikin with checking instruments and AED trainer.
Face piece 

Written Test
Following the CPR/AED Skills Demonstration Exercise, each participant will take a written test pertaining to the skills needed in the demonstration portion of this event.  Each correct answer will be worth two (2) points. The total time for the written test will be recorded to the thousandths and will be used as a tie-breaker in the event of a tie in the total points earned by participants in this event. Participant will signal judge when ready to start and stop.

Skills Demonstration Exercise Mean Time
The event mean time is only the mean time for the skills demonstration portion of this event, and is not to be used as a tie breaker. Exceeding the mean time of five (5) minutes will result in a two (2) point deduction.  The time recorded for each participant in the skills demonstration part of this event is used only to determine whether the participant has exceeded the mean time of the skills part of this event.

Start Time
The event judge will indicate time to start after the participant says they are ready. This applies for both the skills demonstration and written test parts of this event.

Stop Time
The participant will signal the event judge when they are finished with the written portion of the event. The judge will stop the time on the CPR w/ AED portion of the event. (see first bullet above).

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2023 APPRENTICE EVENT Climbing Skills Mean Time: 5 minutes Drop Dead Time: 10 minutes

In this event, each Apprentice will demonstrate the skills needed to climb, maneuver, and work aloft safely. Several stops require specific tasks that the climber must accomplish before moving on.

• Each Apprentice will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
• Work gloves will be required for this event.
• Time starts at judge’s signal.
• The climber will climb to the first arm where the pin insulator will be removed and reinstalled back in the same location.
• The climber continues up the pole, goes over neutral and ties a snub rope around the pole, using a square knot.
• Apprentice will operate their own handline to raise hoist, grip and suspension insulator.  Note: the handlines will be pre-positioned on the pole and will remain there for the entire event.
• Climber proceeds to change out the suspension insulator on the phase, then lowers the hoist, grip and the exchanged suspension insulator back down the pole. The snub rope is also lowered to the ground using the handline.
• The climber continues up to the top of the pole. At the top of the pole will be a canvas bag containing a cow bell. The climber will remove the bell from the bag and ring it. Once rung, the cow bell will be placed back in the bag. Then the climber climbs down the pole (no other tasks remain except to safely climb down).
• 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.
• Time stops when the climber touches the ground.

Note: Every attempt will be made to run the event exactly as described above. In the event of unforeseen circumstances or conditions, the Rodeo Events Committee reserves the right to alter the event as needed.

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2023 APPRENTICE EVENT Layout Insulator Change Mean Time: 15 minutes Drop Dead Time: 18 minutes

This is a simulated grounded event and shall be performed in work gloves.  Line workers must change out a single-phase insulator installed on a 40’ pole.  A fiberglass lay-out arm will be utilized to temporarily support the conductor.  Prior to ascending the pole, a rope must be thrown between the phase and neutral.  The end of the rope shall be tied off to an anchor point using a clove hitch knot.

• A 5-minute setup time will be allowed before starting the event. The throwing rope shall not be prepped for throwing but can be coiled and free of knots.
• Time starts at judge’s signal.
• Each Apprentice must make a minimum of three throwing attempts prior to ascending the pole; however, a clove hitch knot shall still be accomplished.
• Once ascending to working height, the Apprentice shall install a fiberglass lay-out arm, untie the conductor, and transfer the conductor to the lay-out arm.
• The insulator shall be removed and raised above worker’s head and shout “New Insulator”.
• Once the new insulator is installed, the Apprentice shall transfer the conductor to the new insulator, tie it in, remove the lay-out arm and descend the pole.
• Time stops when Apprentice touches the ground.

Apprentices are responsible for operating their own hand line.

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2023 APPRENTICE EVENT Hurtman Rescue Mean Time: 4 minutes

Construction: 10’ cross arms with wood braces. Brace mountings will be 30” out and 21” down from the arm (gain) hole. 40’ Class 3 poles.  Buckingham will supply the 50061A-4/80-Ox Block 80’ Handline Kit for this event.

Time starts at the judge’s signal with the apprentice standing at an arm’s length from the pole wearing work gloves. The apprentice’s belt and hooks will be lying on the ground beside him an arm’s length from the pole, safety strap snapped into D-ring and belt unbuckled.  No belt will be allowed to be placed on or around the pole.

Looking at the pole from the cross-arm side, the hand line will be hung on the right side. The hurt man will hang in the center of the pole on the cross-arm side, with both sides of the safety strap through the braces. This will simulate an injury to a right-handed man, wearing a fall arrest belt. The apprentice must properly use the Buckingham OxBlock and attached handline to lower the manikin. The apprentice will not be allowed to throw the handline over the cross arm to lower the manikin. If you are unsure as to how to properly use the Buckingham OxBlock handline, visit the Buckingham booth at the expo for detailed instructions.

The mannequin should be tied under the arms with three half hitches. (Eye splice should not be used as part of hitches.) The half hitch is the only acceptable knot.

Be sure to call out “Headache” or similar warning loudly if you drop any part of the OxBlock handline such as the hook or snap. The handline hook or snap must land in the circle of wood chips at the base of the pole if dropped.

You must cut the painted section of the safety strap. There will be a 10-point deduction for cutting the strap in the wrong place. The mannequin should be moved smoothly to the ground, without contacting the pole.

Time is over when the mannequin is on the ground and the rope is slack. Mannequin initial contact with ground must be within the work circle.

Contestant will continue to be judged until workstation is put back together.

After Apprentice descends from pole, he will be judged on tying a BOWLINE knot.

Contestants must use the Buckingham OxBlock hand line provided and must have a minimum of two (2) full wraps/three (3) clicks on friction bar gate on the “OxBlock”.

Judges will use a length of 3” PVC to evaluate the rope knotted around the mannequin.

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2023 JOURNEYMAN EVENT Climbing Skills Mean Time: 10 minutes Drop Dead Time: 15 minutes

In this event, each climber will demonstrate the skills needed to climb, maneuver, and work aloft safely. Several stops require specific tasks that the climber must accomplish before moving on.

• Teams will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
• For this event, ground to ground rubber glove rules apply for Journeymen.
• Time starts at judge’s signal.
• The climber will climb to the first arm where the pin insulator will be removed and reinstalled back in the same location.
• The climber continues up the pole, goes over neutral and ties a snub rope around the pole, using a square knot.
• The groundman raises hoist, grip and suspension insulator to the lineman using handline.  Note: the handlines will be pre-positioned on the pole and will remain there for the entire event.
• Climber proceeds to change out the suspension insulator on the phase, then lowers the hoist, grip and the exchanged suspension insulator back down the pole. The snub rope is also lowered to the ground using the handline.
• The climber continues up to the top of the pole. At the top of the pole will be a canvas bag containing a cowbell. The climber will remove the bell from the bag and ring it. Once rung, the cowbell will be placed back in the bag. Then the climber climbs down the pole (no other tasks remain except to safely climb down). Once on the ground, the climber taps out to the second climber who goes through the same process as the first climber.
• 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.
• Time stops when the second climber touches the ground.

Note: Every attempt will be made to run the event exactly as described above. In the event of unforeseen circumstances or conditions, the Rodeo Events Committee reserves the right to alter the event as needed.

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2023 JOURNEYMAN EVENT Hurtman Rescue Mean Time: 4 minutes

This will be a three-man team event with all three contestants participating at the same time and at the same station. One judge will be the initial responder to the emergency call and one judge will run the stopwatch and observe the team for infractions. Both judges can deduct points from a team. Time starts when the judge’s signal “GO”. This event simulates a lineman has been injured while working on a transformer. Buckingham will supply the 50061A-4/80-Ox Block 80’ Hand line Kit for this event.

A shotgun stick will be locked in the eye of the high side jumper hot line clamp. The fuse barrel will be in the closed position, high side jumper will be connected to the primary, thus indicating that the transformer is still energized. An extendo-stick will be lying on the tarp. When time starts, the groundman will raise the extendo-stick and open the cutout using the ring in the barrel before anyone has made any un-insulated contact with the handline or pole. Both the handline and pole are considered at a different potential until the disconnect is open. After the disconnect is open the climbing journeyman will ascend the pole and lift the high side jumper, prior to lowering the mannequin. One groundman/lineman will simulate calling for emergency help using a prewritten script provided by the International Lineman’s Rodeo. The second groundman/lineman will open the disconnect and then assist the climber.

Prior to start:

Each team has five minutes to ask questions and adjust belts. The handline may not be repositioned during the setup. The event judge will position the handline the same way for each contestant, the hook shall be at the “OxBlock”.

The lineman’s belt and hooks will be hanging on a structure simulating hanging in a truck bin, with safety straps snapped into D- ring and belt unbuckled.

Rubber gloves are inside the glove bag at the start of the event and are required for the climber, ground to ground. Rubber gloves are also required for the groundman or journeyman if they intend to come into contact with the handline or pole prior to opening the disconnect.

The 40-foot pole will be framed as follows:

Single phase primary tied in on a pole top pin.

25 KVA transformer located 7’6” from the top of the pole to the top transformer bracket.

Closed disconnect is located 4’ from the top of the pole

Hand line is hung on the switch bracket and block must remain there during rescue.

Neutral conductor will be located 3’ below the top transformer bracket. The hurt man hangs in the center of the pole on the top transformer bracket.

The hand line may not be relocated during the rescue and shall not be touched by the contestants prior to start time.

The hurt man may be lowered in any manner, as long as it is a controlled descent and does not hang up on anything. The remaining team members on the ground will help the climber lower the hurt man.

The mannequin shall be tied under the arms with three half hitches. (Eye splice should not be used as part of hitches.) The half hitch is the only acceptable knot.

Contestants must use the Buckingham OxBlock hand line provided and must have a minimum of two (2) full wraps/three (3) clicks on friction bar gate on the “OxBlock”.

The lineman on the pole must call out “Headache” loudly if any item is dropped.

The painted strap is the only acceptable cut on the mannequin’s belt. There will be a 10-point deduction for cutting the belt in the wrong place.

The mannequin should be moved smoothly to the ground. Contact with the pole is acceptable. Mannequin initial contact with ground must be within the work area circle.

Time is over when the mannequin is on the ground and the rope is slack. Groundman must signal slack in the rope. Contestants must use the hand line provided.

All point deductions are added together and subtracted from “100” for the team score. The groundmen will assist in hanging the hurt man mannequin for the next team.

Judges use a 3” PVC conduit between the rope and the mannequin to evaluate the spacing in the rope knot.

Start:

Time starts when judge says “GO”. The climbing Journeyman will remove his tools from the structure and immediately proceed to the work circle where he will tool up. He may put his belt on while moving to the circle; but may only put climbers on while in the work circle. One of the remaining competitors will begin to call the dispatcher using the supplied script. One judge will act as the dispatcher and will respond according to the script. The competitor calling for help must complete the written script. Once the judge acknowledges the call for help, it is considered completed, and that competitor should proceed to help the other two. The competitor not making the emergency call must retrieve the extendo-stick from the tarp and using the ring on the barrel, open the disconnect. He must then retract the extendo stick and place it back on the tarp. Once the disconnect is open the lineman may start his ascent to rescue the injured lineman, the other competitors may assist the climber in the rescue. The climber will ascend the pole, use the shotgun stick to lift the high side jumper, leave the stick locked into the hot line clamp, and proceed to rescue the hurt man. The hand line will not be considered “hot” after the fuse barrel has been opened. The climber may rig the hurt man at his discretion. The hurt man must be lowered in a controlled descent; however, the hand line or hand line block cannot be relocated. The two groundmen will assist in lowering the hurt man; time stops when the hurt man mannequin is on the ground and slack is evident in the rope. A groundman must verbally signal that slack is in the rope.

Although the time has stopped, the team will continue to be judged until the event is restored, their score verified and have left the exit gate of the event. (Proper work practices will be used while restoring the event, including properly using ring on barrel to close switch, etc.)

Exceeding 4 minutes to complete the event will result in a two-point deduction.

Judges will use a 3” PVC conduit between the rope and the mannequin to evaluate the rope knot. Points will not be deducted only for a knot too loose.

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2022 JOURNEYMAN EVENT 4 KV Fiberglass Crossarm Change Out Mean Time: 12 minutes Drop Dead Time: 16 minutes

This is a 4 KV event and will entail utilizing the rubber-glove method from the pole.  Class 2 rubber-gloves are required while performing the necessary work to change out a fiberglass crossarm on a 40’ pole.  Fiberglass lay-out arms will be utilized to temporarily support the two conductors.

• Teams will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
• Time starts at judge’s signal.
• Ground to ground rubber-glove rule applies.
• Both sides of neutral and spool must be covered.
• Cover-up is needed on primary conductor and crossarm and proper minimum approach distances must be maintained.
• Two fiberglass lay-out arms shall be installed above the crossarm.
• Teams shall move primary conductor to the lay-out arms, remove the fiberglass crossarm and lower it to the ground. The crossarm can be raised back up once it touches the ground.
• The crossarm shall be re-installed, primary conductor tied in utilizing a 3/2 tie, lay-out arms and cover-up shall be removed.
• Time stops when both linemen are on the ground.
• All materials and tools must be sent up/down with hand line and all tools must be on the tarp.

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2023 JOURNEYMAN EVENT 4 KV Insulator Change with Floater and Cutout Mean Time: 13 minutes Maximum Time: 18 minutes

This is a 4 KV event and will entail utilizing the rubber-glove method from the pole.  Class 2 rubber-gloves are required while changing two drop in pin insulators on an 8’ wood crossarm attached to a 40’ pole.  There will be a solid blade cutout installed providing continuity around a float installed on the conductor just off the crossarm.  The cutout must be by-passed when raising the conductor off the pins.

• Teams will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
• Time starts at judge’s signal.
• Ground to ground rubber-glove rule applies.
• Both sides of neutral and spool must be covered.
• Cover-up is needed on primary conductor and crossarms and proper minimum approach distances must be maintained.
• Jumper must be installed with shotgun sticks to by-pass the cut-out.
• Once the new insulators are installed, the conductor shall be re-tied, jumper and cover-up removed, cut-out closed.
• Time stops when both linemen are on the ground.
• All materials and tools must be sent up/down with hand line and all tools must be on the tarp.

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2023 JOURNEYMAN EVENT Wire Down Mean Time: 15 minutes Drop Dead Time: 20 minutes

This is a wire down event on a three phase deadend structure, where a deadend shoe is broken and needs to be replaced.  The line is simulated de-energized by a visible open and tagged.  The line will need to be tested de-energized and grounded, prior to any work being performed on the down conductor or deadend pole.  Class 2 rubber-gloves are required when operating the shotgun stick for grounding.

• Teams will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
• Time starts at judge’s signal.
• Ground to ground rubber-glove rule applies at the pole where grounds are installed.
• Lineworker installing grounds can remain on the pole while repairs are made as long as they are belted off below the neutral.
• The shotgun stick used for grounding cannot be left attached to a ground. It can remain in the hands of the climber or lowered to the ground.
• Both sides of neutral and spool must be covered if climbing above the neutral on the grounding pole.
• Once the line is grounded, the broken deadend shoe shall be replaced, new conductor shall be spliced in, raised, properly sagged, and secured.
• Once repairs are made on the deadend pole, the climber shall climb below the neutral and remain on the pole until grounds are removed and time is stopped.
• Grounds can be removed once the Lineworker on the deadend pole has descended below the neutral.
• Time stops when the Lineworker removing the grounds touches the ground.
• All materials and tools must be sent up/down with hand line and all tools must be on the tarp.
• The event will be placed back to its original starting position. While this portion of the event is not timed, it will be judged for safety and proper work procedures.

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2023 TEREX EVENT Bucket Truck Hurtman Rescue Mean Time: 4 minutes

The situation: While working on a single-phase transformer, the bucket operator has made inadvertent contact with the line and has dropped into the bucket. After assuring that the bucket is not energized and the operator is non-responsive, an emergency call is initiated, and rescue procedures begin. (The emergency call will be scripted and read to a judge) When bucket has been maneuvered close to the ground both ground members of the team will assist in removing the injured from the bucket and check vital signs. The removal of the injured must take place within the designated work area.

• Time starts at judge’s signal.
• Time stops when simulated CPR begins.

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2023 TEREX EVENT Digger Derrick/ Obstacle Course Mean Time: 8 minutes Drop Dead Time: 14 minutes

This is a digger derrick obstacle event, which will consist of utilizing two of the three team members to successfully maneuver a load through an obstacle course.  The two members chosen as operators and the third team member will all start the event from the starting circle.

• Teams will be allowed a 5-minute equipment review time before starting the event.
• All three team members shall begin the event standing in the starting circle.
• Time starts at judge’s signal.
• Operator #1 shall lift the pre-hooked and pre-positioned load and maneuver it through a set of cones. After navigating the cones, the load shall be moved over to a target circle and lowered to the ground.
• Operator #2 will lift the load and maneuver it back through the same set of cones. After navigating the cones, the load shall be moved over to the starting target circle and lowered to the ground.
• The event will stop when all three team members are in the starting circle.
• Proper rigging signals shall be utilized as needed and communication is key.

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2023 TEREX EVENT 15 KV Polymer Double Deadend Change Out Mean Time: 6 minutes Drop Dead Time: 12 minutes

This is a 15KV energized bucket truck event.  Class 2 rubber gloves and sleeves are required while performing the necessary work to cover-up and change out a set of polymer deadends installed on wooden crossarms.

• Teams will be allowed a 5-minute setup time before starting the event.
• Time starts at judge’s signal.
• Cradle to cradle rubber glove and sleeve rules apply.
• Cover-up is needed on primary conductor and crossarms.
• The line needs to remain energized, so work being performed must not interfere with conductor continuity.
• Teams shall remove tension from the deadends, utilizing hoist(s) and grip(s).
• The polymer deadends shall be removed and lowered to the ground utilizing a handline. Once the Groundman touches the deadends, they may be raised back up for re-installation.
• Tools, equipment, and cover-up shall be removed when work is completed.
• Time stops when bucket is cradled.

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