New trade status

[BUK]

UPDATE:

The province of Ontario has just Utility line clearing a recognized trade similar to that of lineman, electrician, etc. Current workers have one year to prove training and hours to be grandfathered into the trade. My foreman was on the committee starting this program and as of Thursday it received government approval.

Hopefully this will leave some of the fly-by-nighters off the map and give our profession a little more respect that it deserves. Maybe other provinces will follow suit and raise the bar on safety and equality in the field.

I believe Alberta already has a program like this in place. Anyone know for sure?

Later
Dave

 

[Mangoes]

This is good news, I wonder how it will effect the big W down here in TO. Most of what they do is hydro work for Toronto.

Won't effect me as I am skeert of the stuff and won't touch line clearing work.

Whose going to train the private sector guys? MTCU? Humber or Flemming? Or will an apprenticeship only be available through Hydro One?

 

[BUK]

I think Humber and maybe even Fleming. The HO guys should be ok, their program is top notch and the most comprehensive. The MTCU is involved also.

 

[Mangoes]

I got word from one of the guys in the know that Humber will be offering the program. 22 weeks of in school, thats more than the apprenticeship which is at 20. I'd like to get my fingers on the curriculum to see what it's all about. I have 2 versions of the Appr. curriculum the newest being the latest proposal to the MTCU.

"The HO guys should be ok, their program is top notch and the most comprehensive."

I wish I could get their program as well, I've heard of some interesting techniques for climbing being used that are........odd........interfaces of equipment.

 

[BUK]

Yeah, the pole choker 4 isn't the greatest tree friendly tool out there but for ascent with spurs and no belay its the only one they aprove of.

 

[treebear]

The pole choker 4 is unfamiliar to me, could you describe it or maybe a pic?
Svein
www.hogstogrydding.no

 

[Hammer]

dang, Google does it again.

http://www.glenmartin.com/safety/utility/choker.html

http://www.jelco.ca/en/products.html?MID=2

http://www.wernerstradingco.com/Hardware_elk.htm

 

[BUK]

Jelco product. It'll stop you slidding down a spar but its not really tree friendly. I've used it to climb and remove spruce before but that's few and far between.

 

[treebear]

Is this used in combination with fall arrest harnesses and equipment to reduce the shockload on the body in case of fall. I noticed it was designed to stopp a fall within 1,5mtrs which is a pretty long fall on static systems.
Svein
www.hogstogrydding.no

 

[BUK]

Its made to be used alone if needed. Spurs, belt, and pole choker...no need for other fall arrest according to the rules. As long as the climber does not un-belt to re-position then its considered fall arrest. Spurs are considered an "engineered" second point of contact so the governing body believes this is ok.

It leaves a lot to be desired in our profession because "trees" are not straight or smooth like poles are.

In actual fact when this is attached around a pole or tree you will only drop about 30-50 cm...but the face plant kinda smarts. In contrast, a lanyard will make you fall until it catches a stub or your feet stop you.

 

[BUK]

Correction:
They are still ironing out the details on who will be the delivery agency. No one has been selected yet. The paperwork can be picked up at the MTCU office and you have until Sept.30/07 to be "grandparented" into the program. If you meet the criteria you won't have to write the exam.

 

[Mangoes]

Criteria?....

 

[BUK]

6000 hours in the industry.

 

[Mangoes]

Industry of Arboriculture or Utility work? I havn't done alot of line clearing, but if I could swing in under this grandfathering.....

 

[BUK]

6000 hours in utility line clearing, all within proximity to electrical conductors.

 

[Mangoes]

Maybe later then....

 

[Hammer]

Is there a link to this status change anywhere?