The learning never ends for Hoosier Energy linemen and apprentices, nine of which attended the 2024 Hot Stick School at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eu Claire, Wisconsin, this summer.
Joined by Senior Safety and Training Specialist Dave Helton along with Training and Safety Specialist Shaun Hayse, the group of Bob Murphy, Tyler Huff, Alex Hopf, Avery Wolfe, Cody Saltsgaver, Colin Lane, Chad Campbell, Evan Fuller and Jared Bartlett attended the event.
Hosted by Dairyland Power Cooperative and aided by East River Electric, the three-day school was bookended by a nine-hour drive each way.
“Being able to get everyone together in a controlled environment is valuable for us,” said Helton, who also served as an instructor.
With 35 years of experience overall, 32 at Hoosier Energy, Helton more than anyone knows the value of such training.
Attendees of the 2024 Hot Stick School in Eu Claire, Wisconsin, pose for a group photo.
It’s necessary because any voltage above 36 kV requires the hot stick, an insulated pole to protect from electric shock with the ability to attach tools to test for voltage, tighten nuts and bolts, open and close switches, replace fuses and more.
“We do a lot of hot sticking at Hoosier working on switches,” Helton said. “We want to maintain the integrity of our lines without turning off power, so hot sticking is important.”
There were four training stations at the school. They consisted of 161 kV Structure Insulator Bell Changeout, 69 kV Horizontal Crossarm Changeout, Jumper Removal on 69 kV Switch/Flying Dead-End Installation and Rigging/Knot-Tying.
The school also features product demonstrations from Chance and Hastings, arguably the two heaviest hitters in the hot stick industry.
“It’s always nice to learn from the experts and make sure we are using the tools correctly because there’s obviously no room for error,” Helton said.