What tools do linemen appreciate?

Whether the power goes out in the middle of the night, after weather events or vehicle accidents, these dedicated professionals take pride in getting the lights back on. But what do linemen appreciate that helps them do their job?

“Two of the most appreciated pieces of equipment are our hot sticks and rubber gloves,” says Safety and Training Director Ryan West. “These essential tools—when used correctly—keep us safe while letting us do our job, and in many cases without disrupting members’ power.”

Both have come a long way since their early days. Hot sticks, invented around 1910, were originally made of dry wood or bamboo. They changed the game by allowing linemen to work on live power lines while keeping their distance.

But wood and bamboo can absorb moisture and become conductive. In the mid-20th century, fiberglass hot sticks became the new standard. They are much lighter, stronger and durable—and they withstand higher voltages.

Fiberglass also made telescoping sticks possible, allowing linemen to perform some operations from the ground. That improves safety while saving time and money.

Rubber insulating gloves were also introduced in the early 1900s and made it possible for linemen to safely perform hands-on work with energized lines. Worn with protective leather outer gloves, they remain a critical part of the job.

Today’s gloves are made with advanced rubber compounds that provide better insulation while being thinner and more flexible. This allows greater dexterity and less hand fatigue. Improved testing has also made modern insulating gloves safer than ever.

Many lineman tools have improved over the years, but advances in hot sticks and insulating gloves have played a direct role in reducing injuries and fatalities.

“This is a benefit to our linemen, their families and Walton EMC members,” says West.