A session on best practices for working with steel poles in distribution systems was a new addition to the New Mexico Lineman Superintendents Conference on March 24, 2009 at the Overhead Line School in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of AISI, will provide the training on steel pole usage followed by an on-site installation/demonstration at the line school’s field site. Veteran lineman Gary McDonald led the steel distribution pole training for the lineman superintendents.

“Steel poles are found in over 600 utility distribution systems across the country. They offer significant benefits in handling, installation and reliability,” said Dan Snyder, SMDI market development manager for the utility market. “This conference provided essential training on working with steel poles, as their use is growing in the marketplace.”

Topics covered during the session included safe work practices for installation, climbing, hardware attachment, drilling, pole change-outs, and other related subjects. To learn more about the program or steel distribution poles, visit http://www.steel.org/utilitypoles, or email ti@steel.org.