The Blue Stripe Telescopic Hot Stick line from Utility Solutions, Inc. will offer a new measuring option up to 50 feet. Gene Wood, co-founder of Utility Solutions, Inc. and his team of engineers have created one of the few fully rated, telescopic hot sticks to have a measuring option.
Lineman will often need to measure line and equipment accurately and safely from the ground. Utilities choose fiberglass measuring sticks instead of traditional measuring devices in order to comply with OSHA standards like 1926.951(e) - Measuring tapes or measuring ropes which are metal or contain conductive strands shall not be used when working on or near energized parts.
"There are other measuring stick options on the market but they are not all fully rated for live line work", said Roger May, Sales Director of Utility Solutions, Inc. The new Blue Stripe Measuring Stick option is fully rated and performs all standard stick functions such as operating switches. "Offering a 50 foot model will give utilities even more measuring capabilities."
Utility Solutions, Inc. is offering the measuring option on their standard 16-foot thru 50-foot hot stick models. They are available in an ENGLISH and METRIC rule and include their patented Blue Stripe® Alignment Feature and their unique epoxy resin, non-woven fiberglass construction.
"We can now offer utilities a money-saving, single-tool option", said May. "There would be no need to outfit a crew with both a measuring stick and a telescopic hot stick, because our stick can perform both functions."
