Journeyman Lineman - Keeping the Power On.
Ranked #347 in Business & Work, #20,340 overall
Journeyman Lineman maintain power lines and high voltage.
A lineman constructs and maintains electric power transmission and distribution facilities. Their work includes hot and dead power lines. When the voltage is too high they use special sticks known as hot-line tools or a "hot stick". They use these to manipulate power lines safely from a distance.
Also the rubber gloves are an important safety tool for all linemen. They test them at least every 90 days. They should be given an air test and looked thoroughly before using them. Also there are leather protectors worn over the rubber gloves. They wear low voltage rubber gloves when dealing with low voltage or meter bases. Lots of times they have to remove animals, weeds or misc objects in meter cabinets.
Check your equipment, gloves, belt, gaffs on your hooks every time you climb... THEY ARE ALL THAT IS BETWEEN YOU AND THE DIRT.
(Also see t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, stickers, tile coaster gifts and much more at the bottom. We're selling a variety of colors and sizes. Gift ideas for that special person.)
Pole Climbing Training
Required steps to being promoted to Journeyman Lineman
Levels of a Lineman
To become a "Journeyman Lineman" requires working hard, training, courses, and most work their way up from Groundman. There are usually several required steps before being promoted to a Journeyman Lineman.
Working your way up could go in this order: Groundman, Operator, Apprentice Lineman which has it's own levels, and finally to Journeyman Lineman.
Photo Credit: A.A.(Andrea Allen) on Flickr. Kansas.
CC Some rights reserved.
1. A Groundman duties on the ground only. Such duties include stocking, loading truck, observing. Having things ready before the lineman asks. At another level you will take a course in climbing poles that have no power.
2. Apprentice lineman At this level they do electrical services to houses, or any wire that is not energized. Sometimes hang security lights. Climbing low voltage, but not handling it.
3. Another level of apprentice lineman would be learning to work on secondary voltage from poles. Learn about power transformers and importance of rubber gloves, this is still low voltage.
4. The next level of apprentice lineman you'll do less climbing and more work from a bucket truck. This will require more responsibility and knowledge, includes higher risk.
5. The Journeyman Lineman level performs all types of complicated construction and maintenance of de-energized and energized distribution and transmission systems. Observing various lines, follow safety rules and regulations, report damage and accidents to Supervisor. They may assist in training and of course will operate large automotive equipment. Good communication with the public and co-workers is key. Usually all the overtime you want, therefore will be called out during all non-work hours. This is demanding on the family, but pays well.
Lineman is not for everyone. You must LOVE WEATHER.
Photo: NOAA Photo Library Public Domain Image. Author: US Gov.
The career of a lineman is not for everyone. You MUST love the outdoors and ALL kinds of weather. On occasion there will be the extreme ice storms. Many letters were sent from government politicians thanking all the overtime workers during the big ice storms. It was non-stop work with few rests. Don't forget the storms, wind and tornado damage, it's included too.
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Wikipedia's "Notable Ice Storms" has listed the following as bad ice storms
January 1961 - Idaho
January 1998 - East Coast U.S. and southern Canada
December 2008 - N. Y., Mass. New Hampshire, Maine, Penn., Conn., Vermont
January 2009 - Several states included Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma
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They left out some probably, for example these ice storms:
December 2000 - Arkansas - See story here: usatoday.com, Oklahoma
January and Dec 2002 - Oklahoma
February 2002 - Missouri
january 2007 - Oklahoma and Texas
Actually FEMA has a huge list of all disasters ice and weather related:
FEMA Disaster Declared by State or Year
Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region on Flickr.
CC Some rights reserved.
Power Lineman Duties
- The construction and maintenance of power and communication lines and related equipment both overhead and underground- The operating of vehicles such as trucks, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and associated equipment
- The maintaining of a working knowledge of working clearances, construction standards and safety regulations
- The operating and maintenance of tools and equipment associated with the distribution construction lineman occupation
- The development of good customer relations
- The performing of routine switching operations on distribution transformers
- The performing of other switching operations under direct supervision of qualified personnel.
Oregon - Michels Power
Photo: USFWS Pacific Public Domain Image. David Ledig/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lineman with Michels Power connecting the new underground transmission lines with overhead lines at the
south vault area on the south side of the Coquille River in the early morning hours of Sept. 29, 2010.
Idaho Power Lineman
Photo: waterarchives J.F. Servis, Idaho Power Co.
Idaho Power Lineman/ August 10, 1966.
Linecrews in the Snow
Photo: PSNH on Flickr. ND, CC Some rights reserved. Credit: Geoff Forester
Sac., CA - Linemen work high in the sky
Photo: Kari_Marie on Flickr. ND, CC Some rights reserved. PG&E in Sacramento California.
Day in the Life of a Lineman
New Hampshire - 2010 Wind Damage
Photo Credit: PSNH on Flickr. by Doris Burke.
ND, CC Some rights reserved.
New Hampshire 2010 Wind Damage
Photo Credit: Doris Burke on Flickr. PSNH.
ND, CC Some rights reserved.
Lineman T-Shirts
"High Volt Lineman" Dark T-Shirt 
More styles, colors and sizes.
"...came to put it on." Dark T-Shirt
More styles, colors and sizes.
"Linemen Light it Up" Women's Jr. Jersey T-Shirt
More styles, colors and sizes.
SEE ALL DESIGNS: Journeyman Lineman @ Idea Designs.
"Keeping the Power On." Dark T-Shirt
More styles, colors and sizes.
"The High Life" Dark T-Shirt
More styles, colors and sizes.
Storm will pass. Lineman will come.
More styles, colors and sizes.
"Makin' It Easy" Dark T-Shirt
More styles, colors and sizes.
Lineman Dark Shirt
More styles, colors and sizes.
Journeyman Lineman Dark Shirt
More styles, colors and sizes.
got power? Thank a lineman. Dark Shirt
More styles, colors and sizes.
SEE ALL DESIGNS: Journeyman Lineman @ Idea Designs.
Lineman Links
- Powerlineman.com
- Lineman's Resource since 1997. Forum, Pictures, Stories and Employment.
- Line-man.com
- Lineman Jobs, Tools, Pictures, Video, Boots & Forum.
- The Lineman's Factory
- Window Decals, Coffee Mugs, Sculptures, Party Supplies, and highly detailed framed art prints of every day line work. We enjoy brining you artwork and gifts, involving the Electric Utility Industry, Lineman, Lineman's Rodeo, Electrician, IBEW.
- TechNoteTime.com
- You may find a gift or two to suit your needs
- eLineman.com
- Pictures, Video, Forum, Rodeo and Job Listings.
- UtilityInnovations.com
- Hooks, Boots, Tools and Books.
- Journeyman Lineman Page
- Scroll down and see his cartoon drawings, I didn't want to steal it from the page, so go there to see.
- Farwest Line Specialties
- The Lineman's Store
- J.L. Matthews
- Lineman Equipment and Kits
- DriFire
- Comfortable Fire Retardant Wear
- NFPA-70E - FR Apparel
- Arc Flash rated Flame Resistant
Reader Feedback
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ElectricianStudent
Apr 17, 2012 @ 3:59 pm | delete
- I'm in training now and hope to one day be a lineman. I have always enjoyed the outdoors and I'm not afraid of heights. I have always respected this group of electrician because they tend to be the first guys out repairing the mess after a big storm.
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mnriver
Feb 23, 2012 @ 9:48 pm | delete
- I was a lineman for the county
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UKGhostwriter
Jun 1, 2011 @ 2:50 pm | delete
- Fantastic lens! - well done
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ohcaroline
May 23, 2011 @ 12:17 pm | delete
- I can really appreciate the kind of work you do. I was a telephone installer for a while so I know about the equipment firsthand. You're right...gotta love to work out in the weather!
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Bucket Truck Blogger
Dec 22, 2010 @ 2:04 pm | delete
- Hey, good work writing a lens about linemen. They are some of the most courageous guys (and sometimes girls) that I know. Thanks for showing them some love on the internet. I write a blog about bucket trucks and all things related to them... would love to have you do a guest blog. Check it out at http://www.buckettruckblogger.com
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Denver Electrical Contractor
Oct 14, 2010 @ 11:11 pm | delete
- Ha! Good linesman shirts - I think that's the first time I've seen those. If it weren't for you guys handling the high voltage I wouldn't be able to work as a Denver Electrician. Keep up the good work and stay safe fellas!!
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BucketTrucks
Oct 12, 2010 @ 4:37 pm | delete
- I work for a place that sells and rents bucket trucks, I've found that their may be no cooler collection of people than line-man. They always do what they say they're gonna do and all they ask from you is the same. I have a ton of respect for these guys cause there is no way I'd be out in some of those storms fixing wires that could kill me. Keep up the good work line-man.
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BucketTrucks
Oct 21, 2010 @ 11:13 am | delete
- Sorry, the link was bad here is the place I work that sells and rents bucket trucks
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Sep 23, 2010 @ 10:47 am | delete
- That's the great article! I just pass 'n read it, two thumbs up! ;)
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Steve
Aug 8, 2010 @ 12:11 pm | delete
- I agree with Jason. I also wanted to mention another site for flame resistant apparel www.bulwarkfrapparel.com. There is a link to a free report on FR apparel that is approved by NFPA70E standards and has a story about a lineman that was exposed to over 14,000 volts and lived to tell about it.
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Jason
Feb 12, 2010 @ 3:39 pm | delete
- Nice writeup on Lineman! I saw the section for the novelty tshirts and gifts, but I also want to suggest a resource for tshirts/clothing that lineman can use on the job. Checkout http://www.drifire.com. Their clothing is fire resistant, moisture wicking and adheres to various levels of electrical compliance.
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elmikeo
Nov 5, 2009 @ 9:24 pm | delete
- Lineman are some very brave, very tough individuals. I could not do their job, but I really appreciate what they do. With a job like that though it is really important to keep your family protected if the unthinkable happens. I recommend getting life insurance if you haven't already, it really does make the difference. The next time i see one of these guys out in the snow I'm making them hot chocolate. : ) Great Lens
Mike- http://onedollarglobeinsurance.com
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MelissaLynn
Jul 6, 2009 @ 3:11 pm | delete
- My husband lives in VA, and worked in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Arkansas during that wonderful Ice store in 2009. He was gone for the entire month of Feb., I am so proud to call myself a LineWife. Hats off to you guys for respecting the profession!! <3
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puttgagbug
Jan 14, 2009 @ 7:49 pm | delete
- you are so right but to see someones eyes light up when their lights come back on after a couple of days it is all worth it. Wouldnt trade that feelin for the world!!![in reply to 20blueeyes]
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Madd Mark
Mar 19, 2008 @ 9:03 pm | delete
- Too hell with Arte Model,,,,
Lineman KEEP the lights on
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Mar 15, 2008 @ 9:51 am | delete
- hello! great lens and complete information. stuffs for linemen are cool. Nice presentation. please feel free to visit my site electrician it talks about how to be an electrician, electrician course and any electrician stuff.
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The_Book_Garden
Jan 25, 2008 @ 6:33 am | delete
- Nice! Some interesting stuff & cool designs!
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Susan52
Jan 14, 2008 @ 4:07 pm | delete
- My hard hat is off to you for this great lens and very clever designs!
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JumpNJohn
Nov 29, 2007 @ 10:35 am | delete
- Cool lineman t-shirts.
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About Me
Featured Lenses
by ideadesigns
Working on power lines involves tons of equipment and other great tools! Hard hat, rubber gloves, hot-line stick, chains, hooks, safety belt and more tools... more »
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