News Release

New climbing system tops the polls in Nunavut

It's unanimous. Nunavut technicians have evaluated a variety of pole climbing systems and agree that PoleShark is miles above the competition in terms of improving workplace safety and job performance. This explains why 27 PolesShark systems, one for each Northwestel employee who climbs poles, are now deployed in the eastern Arctic, setting an example that other regions may decide to follow.

PoleShark represents a great leap forward, or upward, as the case may be from the standard "system" of a climbing belt and spurs. With a non-conductive handle grip and multiple-lanyard assembly that keeps the user securely and continuously attached to the pole, PoleShark not only provides improved work positioning, but also offers superior fall-arrest protection. While no device can prevent a fall, PoleShark is the only one that guarantees fall-arrest protection within current guidelines. It is rated for 400 pounds on a dead drop and can compensate for adverse pole and weather conditions. In emergencies, PolesShark can even be used as an attachment for pole-top rescues.

According to David Kirk, manager network operations, PoleShark makes it extremely awkward, if not impossible for technicians to maneuver around pole obstacles unless the fall arrest apparatus is fully engaged. This key feature is why PoleShark will always prevent a fall and why it's so appealing to technicians and their supervisors. "It's the only system that doesn't let you cheat," David explains. With climbing belts, you can choose not to use the fall-arrest portion of the belt. PoleShark doesn't let you do that.

David's initial interest in PoleShark resulted from a fall-arrest action item at a meeting of the safety committee in Iqaluit. After some research he eventually enlisted the help of Chris Kent, employee development co-coordinator, to arrange pole-top rescue training and fall-arrest information sessions with instructors from Hydro Ottawa. These sessions, held in Iqaluit on April 4th and 5th in 2002 and Rankin Inlet on April 9th, highlighted the PoleShark system, which Hydro Ottawa has been using without incident for 12 years. At the same time, all existing climbing equipment was thoroughly inspected and tested, a process that every Nunavut technician will now repeat twice each year.

Since Nunavut technicians completed the training sessions and began using PoleShark there have been no reports of slippage on the pole.

"The device has added a whole new level of comfort and security, particularly with trainees who aren't experienced on poles," David observes. Some of the technicians, he adds, can no longer imagine climbing without the PoleShark system.

A case in point is Howard Fick, who has been climbing for three years. "It certainly makes me more comfortable, especially in the smaller communities where you always go in by yourself." "It's peace of mind, like having a second person there. You can think more about getting your work done than falling."

Along with such testimonials, PoleShark's popularity is reassuring in an industry where technicians sometimes need encouragement to wear gear and utilize it effectively.

"Technicians aren't being forced to choose PoleShark, but they have to use something," says David. "So, we want to give them a system that they'll actually use, not one that will end up in the back of the truck. Techs were allowed to choose which fall arrest they preferred. They chose the PoleShark.