Apprentice Lineman Job Description
(Electrical Construction)

Working under the supervision of journeyman lineman, apprentices assist in the placement of footings, and the assembling and erection of metal towers, framing and erection of wood poles, installation of hardware, insulators and conductors.

Assembly and erection of steel and wood sub-stations and the installation and connection of busses, grounds, switches, circuit breakers, transformers, regulators, and other related equipment.

Framing and erection of poles, installation of anchors, guys, and conductors on de-energized distribution work, including the installation and splicing of underground cables and related equipment. Maintenance work on or near energized distribution conductors, including pole replacement, conductor replacement, changing insulators and cross-arms, changing and installing transformers, capacitors, regulators, switches and other distribution apparatus. Performs rubber glove work on energized primary circuits and hot stick work on distribution and sub-transmission voltages, generally in the 2400 to 34,5000 volt range.

Assist in the installation and maintenance of series and multiple street lighting systems, traffic control systems, and associated control systems.

The term of apprenticeship shall be 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and may require more than three and one half years to complete in view of possible employment lapses.

Each apprentice shall be required to complete three years of related instruction away from the job. Time spent in related instruction, at home and/ or in the classroom shall be in addition to the 7,000 hours of on-the-job training, and is not considered hours of work.

Nature of Work

The work of this craft is chiefly concerned with the erection of poles and towers, the stringing of overhead lines, the installation of underground systems, the installation and connection of sub-stations and all types of maintenance and modification of the above.

Practically all of the line work is performed out of doors and lineman are exposed to all types of weather conditions, in fact, much of the emergency work in this field is occasioned by extreme weather conditions. Much of the work is at heights ranging from 40 to several hundred feet off of the ground and lineman must be physically capable of climbing up and down metal towers, wood poles and other structures. They must handle heavy equipment and other materials while suspended from towers by safety belt and from wood poles, while standing on climbers and suspended by safety belt.

Linemen are required to perform work on energized lines and equipment. These extreme hazardous conditions require that lineman be capable of performing their work at all times in a safe manner; to be thoroughly familiar with the tools and equipment involved, and be able to get along with other members of the crew. Construction linemen are also frequently called upon to work in close harmony with customer personnel, and must be capable of coordinating their efforts with such people.

Due to the nature of the work, construction linemen are expected to travel and live away from home for a portion of the time. Linemen are not reimbursed for expenses while traveling away from home.

Primary hazards of the trade involve falling, exposure to electrical burns ( both high and low voltage ) and injury due to reaching, lifting and carrying. This occupation requires a high degree of physical strength and endurance.