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A Reminder to Make Hurtman Rescue Training Reflective of Real-World Scenarios
For the last several years, Terex Utilities has been a proud sponsor of the equipment used for Hurtman Rescue competitions held during the International Lineman’s Rodeo. The purpose of the Hurtman Rescue is to demonstrate speed while safely lowering an injured worker (represented by a mannequin), who is unconscious, from the top of the pole. Speed is important because it only takes about four minutes for brain damage to occur if the injured person is not breathing.
The competition is designed to shine a light on the skills it takes to be a lineworker, and the competition reflects similar training required by OSHA related to emergency procedures. A recent Utility Products article by Maximo Fuentes, a retired line supervisor, provides a fresh perspective on Hurtman Rescue Training. Fuentes himself has competed in the exercise at the International Lineman’s Rodeo, winning on two occasions.
Common Training Methods Used for Pole Top Rescue
Fuentes describes six training methods commonly used to perform pole top rescue—Crossarm, Screwdriver, OX Blok, Bucket Rescue, Rescue Blocks, and Dump. However, he thinks that when it comes to training, these methods don’t take into consideration real-world conditions. He calls for utilities to ask themselves what could make this training better.
What if the injured worker is still in contact with an energized conductor?
What if the rescuer’s tools are on the truck and have to be retrieved? Can they do so fast enough?
What if the pole has obstacles limiting the ability to free climb to the injured worker?
What if the bucket truck is energized?
What if the system doesn’t have a system neutral and the rescuer must rely on earth as the ground?
He says: “Doing the same thing every year just to say you're in compliance with OSHA doesn’t mean your organization is close to creating and ensuring a safe working environment. Annual recertification training is not enough to adequately address catastrophic events in the field. Your workers should be discussing emergency rescue operations every day prior to the start of work during the tailboards.”
To learn more about how to improve Hurtman Rescue training, listen to the podcast with Utility Products Field Editor Amy Fischbach and Maximo Fuentes at https://anchor.fm/line-life-podcast
Source: https://www.utilityproducts.com/safety/article/14276978/a-new-look-at-hurtman-rescue-training
Don’t Forget Training for Aerial Rescue
An additional thought is that many lineman schools include pole top rescue by climbers of lineman who climb the pole. With most line work now done from aerial devices the users need to consider training for aerial rescue. The ground personnel must know how to operate the aerial device to safely access the lower controls and bring an incapacitated operator to the ground. Alternatively rescue using another aerial device if available may be safer.
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