PUBLIC POWER
LINEWORKERS RODEO
APRIL 1-2, 2016 MINNEAPOLIS, MN
On Saturday, April 2, the Turlock Irrigation District Journeyman Team and Apprentice competed at the 2016 APPA Lineman’s Rodeo in Shakopee, Minnesota. The Team consisted of Journeyman Linemen • Dustin Krieger • Anthony Ormonde • Josh Klikna Apprentice Lineman • Wayne Smith Established in 2001 by the American Public Power Association (APPA), the Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo is the foremost showcase of public power lineworker skill and knowledge. At the Rodeo, Journeyman and Apprentice Lineworkers can compete for professional recognition, attend training courses and practice essential skills in a safe environment. Furthermore, attendees will have a unique opportunity to connect with and learn from the nationwide community of lineworker professionals. The competition started at 8:00 in the morning and ended around 2:00 in the afternoon. The Apprentice competed in 5 events (Written Test, Hurtman Rescue, Fused Cutout Relocation, Pole Top Pin Insulator Change Out and an Obstacle Course). The Journeyman Team competed in 5 events (Hurtman Rescue, 12 KV Jumper Replacement, 4KV Insulator Change Out, 4KV Crossarm Change Out, Transformer Change Out). The weather added a challenge for the TID team with temperatures in the 30’s and wind gusting over 40 MPH, creating a wind chill of the mid-teens. The wind was increasingly a problem and at one point blew over a vacant port-a-potty. Most people thought the cold would throw the California teams off however, both the Journeyman Team and the Apprentice completed all of their events with no deductions. Of 63 teams, the Turlock Irrigation District’s Journeyman Team took 2nd overall and out of 130 Apprentices the Turlock irrigation District’s Wayne Smith took 1st place overall, winning the entire show. Wayne Smith also took 2nd place in the written test, achieving a 100% which has never been accomplished by a TID Apprentice. TID congratulates our APPA Lineworker Rodeo Team for their impressive performance at the event.
Journeyman Events• Hurtman Rescue - This team event was run one time with all three
team members participating to rescue the hurtman and all three team members must be used. One must climb, one must open switch, and one must tag the mannequin. The mannequin was lowered to the ground while the third member of the team used the bottom part of handline tied to the mannequin’s legs to pull the mannequin on to the tarp. Teams must attempt to keep the mannequin off of the pole and hardware.
• 12kV Jumper Replacement - This event requires the team to replace both jumpers on an energized 12kV, V phase double dead-end structure on 8’ double crossarms. Constant continuity must be maintained.
• 4kV Insulator Change Out - The event consisted of changing both
pin type insulators tied in with a preform wrap-lock tie with a rubber grommet. This is a simulated 4kV energized event on crossarm construction with primary phases on the end of the arm.
• 4kV Crossarm Changeout - Teams replaced an 8 foot fiberglass crossarm and insulators. The two phase conductors #2 AL are considered energized at 4kV. The new crossarm and insulators were assembled after time started. Competitors replaced the existing crossarm with new equipment and re-secured conductors with new wrap-lock ties. • Transformer Changeout - This event is simulated energized at 12 kV. Teams replaced a 15 KVA transformer weighing approximately 235 lbs. on a single phase straight-line overhead structure with #2 triplex secondary wire. The old transformer was lowered to the ground and then pulled back up simulating a new transformer.
Apprentice Events• Written Test - The written test is a timed 20-minute test given annually
to encourage safety at all times when working in the field and during competitions, such as the APPA Lineworkers Rodeo. This written test event takes place on Friday afternoon before the Saturday field events.
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• Hurtman Rescue - This event is a simulation of rescuing and injured
co-worker. The apprentice must ascend the 40’ pole and safely lower the mannequin to the ground. Time starts at the judge’s signal with apprentice standing at least an arm’s length from pole in any direction. The apprentice’s belt, hooks, and rubber gloves in closed bag w/ snaps locked were lying on the ground at arm’s length.
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• Fused Cutout Relocation - The apprentice was required to relocate a
fused cutout mounted on an armless bracket from its original position to the opposite side of the pole. The cutout was mounted on a double dead end single phase pole with the jumpers connected to the line by hotline clamps and stirrups. The source side was considered to the left of the mounted position. This was considered to be a dead and grounded event.
• • Pole Top Pin Insulator Change Out - This event consisted of changing out the pole top insulator that was tied in with a preform wrap-lock with a rubber grommet. The event was considered de-energized and grounded, therefore rubber gloves were not required. The apprentice must raise and lower all material in a bag attached to the handline • • Obstacle Course - The event began with the competitor using an extendo stick to open the fused switch, remove the barrel and bring the barrel down to the ground. After touching the barrel the competitor reinstalled the barrel and closed the switch. Once completed the competitor tooled up and ascended the pole to complete the remaining tasks required of the event. The competitor climbed a 40 foot pole equipped with three cross arms. The competitor stopped at each arm and relocated the armmounted device to the opposite end of the arm.
APPA Press ReleasePublic Power Lineworkers Take Center Stage at National Rodeo April 3, 2016 MINNEAPOLIS, MN, April 3, 2016—Twelve teams and 13 individuals won awards at the American Public Power Association’s sixteenth annual Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo, held April 12, in Minneapolis, Minn., and hosted by the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association and Shakopee Public Utilities. Sixty three teams and 130 apprentices from not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities across the nation participated. The “rodeo” is a series of competitive events demonstrating lineworker skills and safe work practices. “Lineworkers risk their lives on the job every day, as much as firefighters, construction workers or security professionals,” said Mike Hyland, senior vice president of engineering services at the American Public Power Association. “Public power utilities and national standard-setting entities are vested in protecting lineworkers’ safety,” he added. The awards honor lineworkers’ expertise, and the events are judged based upon safety, work practices, neatness, ability, equipment handling, and timely event completion. All safety rules established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the APPA Safety Manual were observed during events. There are two levels of competition within the rodeo—journeyman and apprentice. The journeyman teams consist of three members—two climbers and a ground person—and can include an optional alternate. A qualified journeyman has more than four years of experience within the electric utility trade. An apprentice lineworker has four or fewer years of experience. 2016 PUBLIC POWER LINEWORKERS RODEO WINNERS Apprentice Overall 1st – Wayne Smith, Turlock Irrigation District, Calif. 2nd – Andrew Urkoski, Lincoln Electric System, Neb. 3rd – Trevor Morin, Marshall Municipal Utilities, Minn. 4th – Brandon Butler, North Carolina Association of Municipal Electric Utilities 5th – Wes Alexander, Jackson Energy Authority, Tenn. Apprentice Written Test 1st – Andrew Urkoski, Lincoln Electric System, Neb. 2nd – Wayne Smith, Turlock Irrigation District, Calif. 3rd – Trevor Morin, Marshall Municipal Utilities, Minn. Apprentice Hurtman Rescue 1st – Bradley Powell, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Calif. 2nd – Austin Franey, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Fla. 3rd – Joshua Gabert, Jackson Energy Authority, Tenn. Apprentice Pole Top Pin Insulator Change Out 1st – Dow Hardee, Santee Cooper, S.C. 2nd – Michael Roark, Westerville Electric Division, Ohio 3rd – Aaron Rudi, Sacramento Municipal Utilitiy District, Calif.
Apprentice Obstacle Course 1st – Bradley Powell, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Calif. 2nd – Dow Hardee, Santee Cooper, S.C. 3rd – Tyler Dewitt, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Calif. Apprentice Fused Cutout Relocation 1st – Sport Rabon, Santee Cooper, S.C. 2nd – Dow Hardee, Santee Cooper, S.C. 3rd – Tyler Dewitt, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Calif. Journeyman Overall 1st – JEA, Fla.: Brian Gregg, Clay Cook, Deryl Basford, and Robert Hess 2nd – Turlock Irrigation District, Calif.: Anthony Ormonde, Dustin Krieger, and Josh Klikna 3rd – Nashville Electric Service, Tenn.: Derek Pennington, Jay Shannon, Josh Jones, and Tommy Barksdale 4th – Nashville Electric Service, Tenn.: Adam Harris, Cody Roberts, Josh Fuller, and Timmy Sanford 5th – Santee Cooper, S.C.: CJ Schaffer, Jay Ayers, Kevin Rhode, and Travis Lawrence Journeyman Hurtman Rescue 1st – Modesto Irrigation District, Calif.: Jimmy Boere, Matt McCurdy, and Sean Coulson 2nd – JEA, Fla.: Brian Gregg, Clay Cook, Deryl Basford, and Robert Hess 3rd – Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Calif.: Dwight Johnson, Garrett Mcghehey, and Justin Hirschi Journeyman 12kV Jumper Replacement 1st – JEA, Fla.: Brian Gregg, Clay Cook, Deryl Basford, and Robert Hess 2nd – Santee Cooper, S.C.: CJ Schaffer, Jay Ayers, Kevin Rhode, and Travis Lawrence 3rd – Nebraska Public Power District: Brian Caba, Bryce Stoltenberg, Jared Rojewski, and Lee Conroy Journeyman 4kV Insulator Change Out 1st – Westerville Electric Division, Ohio: Chris Revennaugh, Cody Leitner, Jeremy Savage, and Todd Head 2nd – Marshall Municipal Utilities, Minn.: Cody Raveling, Nate Jannsen, and Tony Mead 3rd – Nashville Electric Service, Tenn.: Derek Pennington, Jay Shannon, Josh Jones, and Tommy Barksdale Journeyman 4kV Crossarm Change Out 1st – JEA, Fla.: Brian Gregg, Clay Cook, Deryl Basford, and Robert Hess 2nd – City of Ocala Utility Services, Fla.: Billy Caruthers, Matt Brown, and Nick Rector 3rd – Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Calif.: Dwight Johnson, Garrett Mcghehey, and Justin Hirschi Journeyman Transformer Change Out 1st – JEA, Fla.: Brian Gregg, Clay Cook, Deryl Basford, and Robert Hess 2nd – Nashville Electric Service, Tenn.: Derek Pennington, Jay Shannon, Josh Jones, and Tommy Barksdale 3rd – Orlando Utilities Commission, Fla.: Austin Hosier, Dewey Harvey, Nelson Rodriguez, and Roger McBride ###