Northpower Team Wins National Linesmen Competition

Northpower Team Wins National Linesmen Competition

A Northpower team has taken 1st place at the National Linesmen Competitions held in Hamilton over 3 days last week.

10 teams from around New Zealand competed for the trophy. The competition covers all aspects of line work, with an emphasis on safety, work ethics and best work practices.

The first two days consisted of a challenger series, in which 9 teams competed for two places to challenge last year’s winner on the third and final day.

The challenger series involved written, oral and practical tests. One of the practical tests was a vehicle accident in which a car with 5 occupants had hit a power pole. The team had to make the situation safe and care for the injured to keep them alive until the ambulance arrived.

The Northpower team’s performance was outstanding, by taking first place in 3 of the 4 sections, and 2nd in the fourth.

On the third day, the top two challengers, Northpower and Otago, competed with last year’s winner, Marlborough Lines, for the 2003 title. The task was to build a power line. Teams were marked on health and safety practices, work practices and productivity.

The final result was Northpower first, Otago second and Marlborough third.

The judges praised the teams for their extremely high standards.

Northpower team members were:- Team leader: John Dixon Grant Brown Mark Clements Ben Scown Coach/Manager: Lex Calder

© Scoop Media