An Inspection Checklist For Lineman Climbing Gear
The role of a lineman is considered to be high-risk, given that they have to climb tall wooden poles to gain access for constructing and maintaining electrical lines. As such, every lineman in the industry must utilize proper climbing gear to ensure that they are sufficiently protected in the unfortunate event of accidents such as falls. Regardless of how experienced a lineman can be, careless mistakes or poor concentration may lead to accidents. In such moments, the choice and condition of the climbing gear used can greatly affect the outcome. Learn more about the important factors that should be present in the inspection checklist of a lineman’s climbing gear.
Body Belt
The inspection checklist of a lineman’s climbing gear should never be designed to be one-for-all, but instead, a checklist should be available for every gear that a lineman uses during work.
Beginning with one of the most important gears of a lineman’s clothing, the body belt must be inspected to ensure that there are no signs of any missing or broken metal pieces. If your belt happens to have more than one buckle, inspect that all of the components are functional and in working condition.
D-Rings
D-Rings are an essential part of every climbing setup. Each time a linesman is resting and sitting on their belts, they are almost literally entrusting their lives to these D-rings. During the inspection, thoroughly ensure that no unusual marks or signs of cracks are available. Should you have any doubt, never have the intention to take the risk of using the D-ring in hopes of it working for the day.
Accessory/ Tool Holders
In most linesman belts you will notice that loops are placed on the outside of the belts to secure tools and accessories such as wrenches and hammers. Before sending your linesmen out to climb, ensure that these loops are in good shape and serviceable. Should they appear to be worn out or simply ineffective in holding a tool, then it is time to replace the belt. After all, you would not want to run into a situation where a wrench falls from the height of wherever the lineman is carrying works at.
Condition of Leather
Most if not all belts are made of leather, which is ultimately a material susceptible to damage such as broken stitching and even cracks. Should you spot any of them, it means that the leather used is so dried up that it is no longer safe for use. To maximize the effective date and serviceability of your belt, be sure to condition the belts after use by cleaning them with saddle soap, especially so after they get wet. If you are looking for a top-of-the-line ring belt for your linesmen, then we highly recommend that you consider the ones available at JY Products.