Safety equipment through the years: The evolution of lineworker gear

1875-1900

Early headgear - it was not uncommon for linemen to wear hats made of felt or leather for protection.

Linemen rarely wore gloves for protection, opting instead to work bare-handed.

Linemen wrapped homemade belts around their waists and the pole or they climbed freestyle.

Homemade climbers lacked pads and had only upper and lower straps.

1901-1925

Safety rules and formalized training became available, but they were limited. Safer rubber gloves are introduced around 1915 along with other rubberized equipment, such as line hoses and blankets.

Linemen belts and safety straps became more standardized, adjustable and attached to D-rings.

Leather tool bags stored and carried climbing and work tools.

1926-1950

The transition to hard hats came later in this period. Until then, most linemen elected to wear soft, Stetson-style hats.

The electric industry developed more formalized safety rules and procedures to protect lineworkers. In the late 1930s, apprentice programs with stricter standards also began.

1991-present

OSHA began requiring utilities to provide lineworker clothing to protect from arc flashes and "fall protection" devices like body harnessess and fall-arrest lanyards.

Linemen now wear hard hats insulated with a special polyethylene that protects against blows to the head.

1951-1970

Linemen wore two pairs of glovesleather on top of rubber - for more protection.

Insulated buckets on trucks with fall protection came into use.

1971-1990

Head protection made from thermoplastics gained widespread use.

New rubber sleeves extend to the shoulders for extra protection.

Many things have changed throughout CAEC’s 85-year history, but some of the most notable changes have occurred with safety gear. In the early years of rural electricity, lineworkers learned basic principles and hazards of the job in real-time because official safety standards were non-existent. With the creation of OSHA in 1971 and the abundance of lineworker schools and programs, safety became more commonplace among cooperatives. As safety measures continue to evolve, the changes enhance our lineworkers' safety as they work to serve you, our members.