People who work as linemen are given a lot of responsibilities. They not only assist in the construction of electrical power systems that provide electricity to civilizations, but they also maintain them. The exact job duties of a lineman are determined the stage in which he or she is employed. An apprentice and a journeyman are the two basic stages. An apprentice shadows a journeyman and learns how to carry out his or her responsibilities. Traveling to and from job sites, installing and maintaining lines, and ensuring the safety of the lines are all common responsibilities.
The majority of linemen are required to travel and live away from home for short or long periods of time. They are not compensated for travel or living expenses incurred as a result of their jobs. Because a lineman installs and works on energized lines of equipment, he or she must be willing to work in dangerous situations as well as in inclement weather. Because the job duties necessitate a high level of physical strength, the field is predominantly male-dominated, though some women do work in this field.
A lineman who is still in the apprenticeship stage will work under the supervision of a journeyman and gain over 7,000 hours of experience. The apprentice will assist in the installation of metal towers, insulators, and conductors during this time, which usually lasts more than three and a half years. Apprentices will also install traffic control systems and street light arrangements, as well as replace electrical wooden or metal poles, install transformers, and perform rubber glove work. The majority of an apprentice’s tasks involve working with voltages ranging from 2400 to 345,000 volts.
Linemen who work as journeymen usually specialize in one skill area, such as electrical or telephone lines. Many journeymen prefer to work for a city or county organization, which allows them to work a regular 8-hour day and then be on-call once or twice a month. Apprentices and journeymen are also responsible for trimming trees, entering data into computers, and using a variety of tools. They must also be able to operate heavy machinery such as backhoes, cranes, and digger derricks, among other things.