26 Outcome 6: Climbing Equipment

 

 

Outcome/Competency: You will be able to describe the use and care of climbing equipment.

Timing: 1h30

Rationale:
Why is it important for you to learn this skill?

Climbing poles can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Technicians must learn how to select the right climbing equipment for the job including following any applicable regulations and safe climbing procedures. They also need to ensure that they understand how to properly select, fit, and maintain this gear. This knowledge can help prevent severe injury or even death.

Objectives:

To be competent in this area, the individual must be able to:

• Identify and demonstrate the assembly, use and maintenance of climbing gear

Learning Goals

• Describe use, maintenance, and assembly of climbing equipment
• Able to use, maintain and fit climbing safety equipment

Resources

Buckingham MFG super squeeze training video youtube

The adjustable short back belt from buckingham MFG youtube

 

Introduction:

In this section you will learn about various climbing equipment such as body belts, safety pole straps, fall arrest, climber kits, retractable lanyards and secondary pole straps. You will be presented with concepts and given an opportunity to try on some of the climbing equipment. You will then get an opportunity to test your understanding with short review exercises.

 

Instructions:

This information is also covered in the climbing course, so it may be treated as a review, or omitted if time is short.

• Cover the following content in each topic as a group (either reading out loud or independently) then give an opportunity to answer any questions.
• As you go through each piece of climbing equipment, give opportunities for students to try them on and help them fit them appropriately.
• Have students do the review questions independently, then take up answers.

 

Topic: Body Belt (15m)

Examine the physical condition of the belt. Check to make certain the D-rings are solidly fastened to the belt. Any missing rivets should be replaced. Check the buckle and the buckle tongue holes to see if they are in good condition.

Figure 16 Body Belt Certification Tag
The leather tool pouches, and the hook must be in good condition.

Carefully check the seams on the inside of the belt. The leather should not be cracked or cut.

Try the belt on for fit. It should sit firmly but comfortably on your hips. Once on the pole, the belt provides you with an improvised seat sling to lessen some of the weight on your legs.

Figure 17 Body Belt
Other accessories which can be used with the body belt are the tool pouch, back support belt, bolt bag, body belt supporter (more commonly known as a gut strap), and one hook.

Select a belt of the correct size as marked on the manufacturer’s label.

To determine your size, measure your waist from hip bone to hip bone and add two inches. Lay the body belt flat on a table and confirm the belt measurement between the inside edges of each D-ring.

Topic: Safety Pole Strap with Fall Arrest (15m)

 

Figure 18 Pole strap with fall arrest. Attr. Jelco

The main purposes of the pole strap are to support the lineman securely at his work location, to allow free use of both hands, and to assist in the climbing procedure, if so desired.

Inspect the belt thoroughly for frays, cuts and exposure of the red cotton core lining.

The standard dimensions of the pole strap are 5 feet 8 inches in length or 172 centimetres, and 1-3/4 inches wide or 4-1/2 centimetres. It is designed to support weight up to 1.500 pounds or 680 kilograms.

Topic: Climber Kit (15m)

 

Figure 19 Climber kit
The climbers are used to ascend and descend (go up and down) poles.

Begin the assembly by fitting the steel sleeve over the leg iron. Adjust the length so the top of the sleeve rests two finger widths below the knee bone.

Secure the sleeve using the appropriate screws. There are two screws per climber.

Next, install the climber pads on the left and right steel sleeves. The pad should point forward and be located to match your leg. Attach the pad to the steel sleeve using leather or nylon climber straps with the buckle facing back.

Attach the ankle strap to the leg iron using the split ring. The short portion of the ankle strap containing the buckle faces forward. The longer ankle strap fastens the leg iron against the inside of the ankle. When wearing the climbers, all straps should point back.

Maintaining the gaff is very important to your personal safety. Inspect the two Allen Screws on each gaff and tighten them if necessary.

To maintain the gaff on your climbers you will require the manufactures gauge and a single cut file. The gaff must be sharp and not bent or cracked. The gaff must qualify to the gauge specifications in five places:

• Thickness at ½ inch
• Width at ½ inch
• Thickness at 1 inch
• Width at 1 inch
• The tip’s point

The gaff is to be shaped at a distance of 1/16 to 1/8 an inch from its tip. The minimum gaff length is 1-1/4 inches. This can be checked with a ruler.

File the flat side of the gaff carefully with a rolling stroke downward at the tip.

Inspect all the straps, buckles, rivets, and screws before using any climbing tools.

Topic: Retractable Lanyards / Secondary Pole Straps (15m)

 

When encountering obstacles when climbing it is necessary to ensure that you are tied into the structure. To facilitate this, a secondary pole strap is to be used. The intended use of a secondary pole strap is to keep the worker tied to the structure and is not intended for climbing. Another means of achieving this is by using a retractable lanyard.

Review Exercises: Climbing Equipment (30m)

 

• ____________________the body belt for proper condition. Ensure the D – rings are ________________fastened, and any missing rivets are ____________________. The buckle and tongue ______________________ should also be checked for their condition.
• State the main purposes of the lineman’s pole strap. (3 items.)

 

• ( T / F ) If the red cotton core of the pole strap is visible, the belt must be changed immediately.

 

• ( T / F ) The locking snaps are to operate smoothly and, when installed on the belt, face inward.

 

• State the main purpose of a climber set.

 

• State the five places in which each gaff must qualify with the manufacturer’s gauge.

 

• The minimum length of each gaff is to be ( 1-1/4 inches / 2 inches / 1-7/8 inches ). This is measured with a ( ruler / length gauge / gaff stone ).

 

• ( T / F ) A gaff is to be sharpened using a single cut file.

 

• ( T / F ) Use a grinder to shape the point to manufacturer’s specifications.

 

• ( T / F ) Roll the file downward at the end of the stroke to shape the point.

 

• The ____________________ should be sharpened to ________________________specifications using their _____________________________.

Answer Key

	6. Thickness at ½”, width at ½”, thickness at 1”, width at 1”, tip not to protrude through hole.
	7. 1-1/4 inches, ruler
1. Inspect, securely, replaced, holes	8. True
2. Support the lineman securely at his work location. To allow free use of both hands. To assist in the climbing procedure.	9. False
3. True	10. True
4. False	11. Gaff, manufacturer’s, gauge
5. To ascend and descend wooden poles.