Page 40 - CE JOURNAL FEB 2024 ISSUE 20

The CARILEC Line workers Rodeo held in April 2023 in St. Lucia marked the fifth year of the event but the first
since the Covid-19 Pandemic halted all face-to-face activities. The Line Workers Rodeo executed under the
theme, “Championing Caribbean Line workers for a Resilient Energy Future” stood as a pivotal event in the
calendar of Caribbean Electric Utilities. This annual competition served not only as a showcase of extraordinary
skills but also as an indispensable platform for line workers to practice and emphasize the vital importance
of safety. Beyond the thrill of competition and the spirit of camaraderie, the event underscored the critical
significance of safety procedures, offering a unique opportunity for line workers to hone their safety practices
while fostering a commitment to disaster restoration support in the Caribbean.

The Line Workers Rodeo held great significance for The CARILEC Disaster Assistance Programme (CDAP),
as it placed a strong emphasis on safety, learning, and disaster restoration support for Caribbean Utilities.
Seventeen teams representing thirteen Electric Utility Companies from across the Caribbean region competed
in various challenging tasks and scenarios, simulating real-world situations they might encounter during
disaster restoration efforts. The following summaries explain the simulated situations accordingly.

SAFETY EMPHASIS
One of the primary focal points of the Rodeo was an unwavering commitment to safety. This included a
spotlight on the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and rigorous equipment inspections,
adhering to the correct and safe procedures all geared towards mitigating electrical and physical hazards. One
Rodeo participant in his comment illustrated how the safety emphasis at the Rodeo made a difference to his
practice. He stated, “the Rodeo really helped me bolster safety awareness skills when following procedures
for carrying out a task”.

DISASTER PREPARATION
The event actively promoted the idea of resource sharing, stockpiling essential materials, and fostering
community engagement. These efforts were aimed at enhancing disaster response capabilities and
strengthening the vital connection between electric utilities and the communities they serve.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
The Rodeo was structured to maximize learning, with an emphasis on teamwork and safety practices. Line
workers were actively encouraged to continually refine their skills, all while keeping safety as their top priority.
“This was my first Rodeo, and I learnt a lot from my colleagues from the other islands; it’s amazing to see
how the same job can be done differently with technology. Techniques such as eye splice and block stringing
were a welcoming demonstration”.

EVENT COMPETITIONS
A diverse range of competitions took center stage at the Rodeo, covering activities like pole climbing, fuse cut-
out, earth installation, hurt man rescue, 3-phase earth installation and HT Fuse cut out. These competitions
served as rigorous tests, refining the specific skills that are essential for disaster restoration.

FOCUS
Safety was the linchpin of the CARILEC Line workers Rodeo in 2023. Line workers, often performing tasks in
high-risk environments, were reminded of the paramount importance of adhering to strict safety procedures.
The event incorporated the following measures:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Line workers were required to wear a full set of PPEs, including
helmets, gloves, and safety harnesses, as a fundamental defense against potential electrical and physical
hazards.

• Equipment Inspection: Before every competition, meticulous inspection of tools and equipment was carried

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