IBEW members jointly trained by the IBEW and NECA can be seen constructing transmission lines which bring power from far away generating plants to local service areas.
Apprentices learn to employ safe practices while working under the supervision of a Journey-Level WorkerLineman.
Outside Linemen do not always have the comfort of performing their work from a bucket truck. Linemen must develop climbing skills, as much of their work is atop wooden poles. Linemen often find themselves working in bad weather and storms in order to maintain electrical power for homes, hospital, factories and schools.
Outside Linemen ensure that electrical power is properly distributed from power plant generation facilities to end-users. They are responsible for the installation and maintenance of all types of power transmission and distribution systems for industrial, commercial, and residential markets. The duties of an outside lineman are described below. The number next to each duty is the average of the percentage of journey-level workersreporting that they perform that task.
| Daily |
|---|
|
Hand tools: plumb bob, pliers, needle nose pliers, slip joint pliers, hammer, wire cutters, screw driver, measuring tape, ruler, socket set, wrench, crimping tools, hand drill, shovel, ladder, knife, tamp tool, hoist come a long. |
| Power-assisted tools: hand drill |
| Meters: voltmeter |
| Heavy equipment: bucket truck, auger |
| Climbing tools: gaffs, safety belt, body belt |
| Hot sticks: switch stick, universal “gripall†stick (shot gun) |
| Weekly |
|---|
| Hand tools: file, allen wrench, hacksaw, handsaw, block and tackle, ladder. |
| Power-assisted tools: electric saber saw, electric roto hammer drill. |
| Meters: ammeter. |
| Monthly |
|---|
| Hand tools: level, fish tape, pipe wrench, wire stripper |
| Power-assisted tools: roto stripper, wire tugger |
| Heavy equipment: crane |
| Hot sticks: auxiliary arm, insulated tension link, tie stick, link stick |
| Occasionally |
|---|
| Hand tools: punch, fuse pullers, clamps, torque wrench, architect scale, keyhole saw, wood chisel, hand bender, transit, adapter cables, hand reamer, knock out sets, awl vise, caliper |
| Power-assisted tools: soldering iron, drill press, gas-operated auger, air hammer, coring machine to drill through concrete, hydraulic bender, power cutting and threading machine, roto stripper, water pump, electric screw gun, electric saber saw, fiber optic fusion splicer, electric roto hammer drill |
| Meters: oscilloscope, wattmeter, optical power meter, MEGGER, dielectric test set to hipot cable, dynamometer, optical time-domain reflectometers |
| Heavy equipment: trencher, electric lift, power borer, derrick, dozer, backhoe, caterpillar |
| Climbing tools: skates |
| Hot sticks: wire tongs, wire tong supports, strain carrier, platform, saddle, lever lift, gin pole |
