2024

Program - ENMAX Rodeo

A message from Mark Poweska, President and CEO, ENMAX

Welcome to the ENMAX Rodeo and Safety Expo

We are thrilled host some of the best powerline workers in North America at the 11th annual ENMAX Rodeo & Safety Expo.

Today you’ll witness an action-packed event that shines a spotlight on the incredible skills of powerline technicians (PLTs) and the amazing world of the utilities industry. Safety is our top priority at ENMAX and the same goes for the rodeo events. The precision, speed and skills of the lineworkers is impressive but a safe routine will always garner more points.

This year, we are proud to raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region (CMHA Calgary) which provides programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Calgarians to flourish and thrive. They serve over 20,000 people each year. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Peer Support program, which provides the opportunity for anyone – individual, family member, or professional – to speak with someone with lived experiences of mental health or substance use concerns. Thank you for your generous support.

Finally, ENMAX is proud to be part of such a supportive network in Calgary, in Alberta and across North America. I’d like to thank our event sponsors— you can learn more about them at our Safety Expo—and the many ENMAX volunteers and our ENMAX Rodeo Committee who bring this all to life year after year.

Please join me in celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of these professionals who keep our power systems running smoothly!

Best of luck to all competitors and stay safe.

Mark

Competition events

Journeyperson

events

Apprentices

events

Transformer change out - Station 1

This event is designed to mimic a scenario where a pole top transformer must be changed out without the aid of hydraulics. Journeyperson teams must properly isolate an energized transformer so that they can safely install their transformer gin and work together as a team with clear communication to lower the transformer to the ground. Once lowered, the team will then raise, install, and connect the new transformer.

Time starts when Team’s person in charge signals they are ready.
The cut-out barrel is to be lowered to the ground for re-fusing.
The jumper from the phase to the top of the cut-out is to be disconnected from the phase during the transformer change-out.
Transformer secondary and neutral leads will be disconnected at the transformer connections. Crew must guard against back-feed by using Class 2 rubber gloves to remove secondary leads from transformer and tape exposed conductor.
Transformer is to be lowered and new transformer raised using rope blocks and a transformer gin. Watch for crew communication and smooth controlled lift.
Competitor must check nameplate on transformer.
Crew to correctly connect primary and complete voltage check using Class 2 rubber gloves.
Once voltage check has been completed the cutout door must be opened and primary riser removed from the phase before secondary is connected.
Crew completes secondary connections, reconnects primary riser to phase and closes cut-out door.
Time stops when both competitors are on the ground.

Pole climb relay - Station 2

This event is designed to assess the climbing abilities of competitors, an essential skill for powerline workers. While climbing speed helps with efficiency, it’s critical powerline technicians also be deliberate and controlled in their movements while on the job. Assessing these skills is done by having each of the two competitors carry an egg in a bag on their belt when ascending the pole, retrieve the egg from the bag, and carry it in their mouth for the descent. A broken or cracked egg results in demerits. Both competitors’ time is added for final scoring results.

Both competitors start with their gear on.
Time starts at the Judge’s signal with the competitor standing with a hand on the pole and the egg in a basket hanging from the competitor’s body belt.
When the Judge says “go,” the competitor climbs the pole.
The competitor climbs to the pole top, takes the egg out of the basket, yells “headache!” and drops the basket into the target zone on the ground, then places the egg in their mouth at the pole top. They then climb down.
Once the first competitor touches the ground, time is paused until the second competitor begins their ascent.
The second competitor repeats the same tasks.
Once the second competitor reaches the ground the time stops.
The Judge inspects the egg for cracks.
This is a timed event even if the egg is broken.

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Obstacle course - Station 3

This event requires the coordinated participation of all team members and highlights the importance of clear, concise communication to perform work quickly and safely. The three teammates divide the roles of two climbers and one ground support person. This is a timed event.

Time starts at the Judge’s signal; the Ground Support Person extends a telescoping stick to open the fuse barrel on the lower cross-arm then retracts the telescoping stick returning it to the tarp.
Climber 1 puts on their gear and can ascend the pole once the Ground Support Person returns the telescoping stick to the tarp. Next, they move into position on the pole to perform a fuse barrel removal and switch which requires requesting tools from those on the ground. Once this is complete, they move into a new position on the pole to perform a pin and insulator removal and switch, using proper communication to complete the task.
Once Climber 1 completes their tasks, Climber 2 can start to put on their gear.
Climber 1 descends the pole to the ground. Once off the pole, Climber 2 ascends to the top cross-arm.
Once Climber 2 is positioned at the top cross-arm, they will move the hot line clamp on the wire from one side of the conductor to opposite side of the insulator on the same conductor, properly installing it beyond the indicator mark. Once complete, Climber 2 descends to the ground.
Once Climber 2’s first foot contacts the ground, the Ground Support Person can grab the telescoping stick and close the switch. Time stops once the switch door is closed.

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Pole top rescue - Station 4

A procedure all powerline technicians use when rescuing an injured person from a power pole. This event is performed as a three-person team with all team members participating at the same time on two poles. This is a timed event. The maximum allowable time to complete this event is four minutes.

At the Judge’s signal, competitors take their tools to their respective poles and begin putting their tools on.
One competitor climbs a pole to de-energize the cutout using an extendable hotstick.
One competitor must call for help by reading a script as if speaking with an emergency dispatcher and then having the details repeated back; after this, they can assist with the rescue.
One competitor prepares to climb the pole to perform the rescue of the mannequin. They can begin to climb once the cutout is confirmed as de-energized.
The competitor must tie a rope under both arms of the mannequin and include three half hitch knots at the chest.
The mannequin may be lowered in any manner, provided it has a controlled descent and does not hang up on anything.
The mannequin should be moved smoothly to the ground. Contacting the pole is acceptable.
The mannequin’s initial contact with the ground must be within the work area circle.
Time is over when the mannequin is on the ground and the rope is slack.

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Hazard removal - Station 5

This event is designed to test the standard ability of a powerline technician to properly isolate an energized transformer so that they can safely remove a trapped hazard from the top of the transformer. Each apprentice participates in this event to demonstrate their ability to perform this task safely and in the correct procedural sequence.

Time starts at the Judge’s signal with the competitor standing at an arm’s length from the pole, with climbing gear on.
The competitor climbs the pole and performs the appropriate steps to prepare the work area (de-energizing the transformer) so the hazard can be safely removed.
The competitor then climbs to the top of the transformer, removes the hazard and lowers it to the ground in a bag.
Once the hazard has been removed, the competitor re-energizes the transformer using proper procedures.- The Judge calls time when the transformer has been energized.
The competitor returns the hazard to the top of the transformer and descends the pole.
Judging continues until the climber is on the ground.

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Obstacle pole climb - Station 6

This event demonstrates the ability to properly use the fall arrest equipment and maneuver from one side of the pole to the other. The maximum allowable time to complete this event is 15 minutes.

The competitor has all their gear on. Time starts when the Judge says “go.”
The competitor climbs up to the first set of crossarms with a piece of rope resting on each end. Next, the competitor must tie a square knot on each rope.
The competitor proceeds to climb to the next set of crossarms. There they remove the insulator with pin. Then, they install it on the opposite side of the pole and the opposite end of the crossarms.
The competitor proceeds to climb to the next set of crossarms. There they remove the dead-end insulator. Then, they install it on the opposite side of the pole and the opposite end of the crossarms.
The competitor proceeds to climb above the next set of crossarms. The competitor performs a series of tasks and movements using the supplied fusing stick. They must inform the Judge at specific intervals to proceed with the tasks.
The competitor lowers the fusing stick to the ground.
The competitor climbs down to the first/lowest set of crossarms and unties the square knots leaving rope in arms. - Time stops when one of the competitor’s feet first contacts the ground.

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Pole climb - Station 7

This event is designed to assess the climbing abilities of competitors, an essential skill for apprentice powerline workers. While climbing speed helps with efficiency, it’s critical apprentices also be deliberate and controlled in their movements while on the job. Assessing these skills is done by having the competitor carry an egg in a basket/ bag hooked to their belt when ascending the pole and then holding the egg in their mouth when climbing down. A broken or cracked egg results in demerits.

Time starts at the Judge’s signal with the competitor standing with their hand on the pole, all their gear on and the egg in a basket hanging from their body belt.
When the Judge says “go,” the competitor climbs the pole.
The competitor climbs to the crossarm, removes the existing basket from the “J” hook, yells “headache!” and drops the basket into the target zone. They then hang their basket onto the “J” hook, remove the egg from the basket and put it into their mouth.
The competitor now climbs down the pole. - Once they reach the ground the time stops. - They then show the egg to the Judge for inspection of cracks.

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Pole top rescue - Station 8

A procedure all apprentices use when rescuing an injured person from a power pole. This is a timed event. The maximum allowable time to complete the event is four minutes.

Time starts at the Judge’s signal with the apprentice standing an arm’s length from the pole.
The apprentice locates their belt and hooks and puts on these tools.
The apprentice climbs the pole to perform the rescue of the mannequin.
The apprentice must tie a rope under both arms of the mannequin and include three half hitch knots at the chest.
The mannequin may be lowered in any manner provided it has a controlled descent and does not hang up on anything.
Competitors must use the handline provided.
The mannequin should be moved smoothly to the ground. Contacting the pole is acceptable.
The mannequin’s initial contact with the ground must be within the work area circle.
Time is over when the mannequin is on the ground and the rope is slack.