Editing Lineworker (section)

==Duties==
{{See also|Hot stick|Live-line working}}
[[File:Lineman changing transformer.jpg|thumb|Lineworker replacing a [[transformer]], wearing protective gear, including rubber gloves and sleeves]]
Powerline workers work on electrically energized (live) and de-energized (dead) power lines. They may perform several tasks associated with power lines, including installation or replacement of distribution equipment such as [[capacitor]] banks, distribution transformers on poles, [[Electrical insulation|insulator]]s and [[fuse (electrical)|fuse]]s. These duties include the use of ropes, knots, and lifting equipment. These tasks may have to be performed with primitive manual tools where accessibility is limited. Such conditions are common in rural or mountainous areas that are inaccessible to trucks.

High voltage transmission lines can be worked live with proper setups. The lineworker must be isolated from the ground. The lineworker wears special conductive clothing that is connected to the live power line, at which point the line and the lineworker are at the same [[electric potential|potential]], allowing the lineworker to handle the wire. The lineworker may still be electrocuted if he or she completes an electrical circuit, for example by handling both ends of a broken conductor. Such work is often done by [[helicopter]] by specially trained powerline workers.<ref name=vert2015-04>{{cite news |first=Elan |last=Head |url=http://www.verticalmag.com/digital_issue/2015/v14i2/files/82.html |title=High-value cargo |pages=80–87 |work=Vertical Magazine |date=April 2015 |accessdate=11 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419023320/http://www.verticalmag.com/digital_issue/2015/v14i2/files/82.html |archivedate=19 April 2015 }} [http://www.verticalmag.com/features/features_article/HighValueCargo Weblink]</ref>  Isolated line work is only used for transmission-level voltages and sometimes for the higher distribution voltages. Live wire work is common on low voltage distribution systems within the UK and Australia as all linesmen are trained to work 'live'. Live wire work on high voltage distribution systems within the UK and Australia is carried out by specialist teams.