During these unprecedented times the health and safety of our employees and their families are our top priority. While Illinois has begun to reopen, COVID-19 continues to be a concern across the state. With this in mind, ComEd and Local 15 Leadership have decided to cancel the 2020 ComEd Skills Competition and will resume the event in 2021. Additionally, as of June 22nd, the Kansas City International Rodeo has been postponed and will take place October 13-16, 2021.
Although these are unfortunate circumstances, we have great anticipation for the 2021 event. The event will be expanded to Substation and Underground in addition to Overhead. The skills competition will again be family friendly with activities for all. We are in the process of selecting a new date for 2021 stay tuned for more information and details.
Stay Well.
PRESENTED BY
![]() |
![]() |
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH
7:30 AM | Registration/Check-In Opens ComEd Chicago Training Center |
8:15 AM | Apprentice Test & Chief Judge Meeting ComEd Chicago Training Center |
9:00 AM | Opening Ceremony Honor Guard, presented by EMAC Opening Remarks Group Stretch, Glove Testing & Safety Message |
9:30 AM | Competition Begins ComEd Chicago Training Center |
1:00 PM* | Awards Ceremoney *Awards Ceremony start time is subject to change as it will directly follow the competition |
ABOUT THE EVENT

ComEd’s Lineworker Competition will feature a Journeyman team and an Apprentice division.
The Competition’s primary purpose is to promote safe work practices.
JOURNEYMAN EVENTS

Event Description:
- On 40 class 2 pole, 8 ft arm, 2 phase and neutral construction built at 4 foot.
- There will be 2 hot arms attached. One of the conductors will be tied in, the other will be in the hot arm.
- This event is simulated energized at 12kv.
- Using hot sticks, un-tie phase and move to hot-arm. Remove other phase from hot-arm and tie in.
- Teams will use rated cover up to cover all conductors, including neutral and arm.
- This event has a mean time of 15 minutes. This event has a maximum time of 20 minutes.
- This event is worth 100 points.
HOW IT WORKS:
Event Description:
The purpose of this event is to follow the guidelines exactly, climbing safely and professionally.
- Contest starts at the signal with person standing an arm’s length from pole. A small canvas bucket with a medium size egg placed in the bottom will be carried up the pole. No padding or other changes can be made to the bucket.
- Climb pole with egg in bucket. The bucket may be carried with your teeth or hung on your belt, but may not be carried up in your hand.
- There will be no obstruction to climb over.
- Remove old bucket at top of pole and drop it to the ground.
- Put egg in mouth, hand bucket on “J” hook or lag.
- Climb down without breaking egg in mouth
- Contest stops when the first foot touches the ground.
- Show egg to judge.
- Two climber’s scores are added together and averaged for the team score.
- There will be no mean time for this event.
HOW IT WORKS:
Event Description:
The purpose of this event is to rescue a person in the event of his becoming disabled in the work area. This will be done in a calm and orderly manner.
- Event starts at the signal with person standing at an arm’s length from the pole. The rescuer’s belt and hooks will be lying on the ground, away from the pole.
- A signal will be given by the judge to proceed.
- Rescuer will climb into position to effect the rescue, there will be no obstruction to climb over.
- When rescuer reaches his position, he shall tie one end of the handline under the dummy’s arms and around the chest with three half hitches. The half hitch is the only acceptable knot.
- Dummy should be moved smoothly to the ground.
- The event is over when dummy is on the ground and rope is slack.
- A 3” PVC conduit will be used to measure between the rope and mannequin to evaluate the knot.
- Two rescue members scores are added together and averaged for the team score.
- After the dummy reaches the ground, the rescuer will hang the dummy and handline for the next participant.
- Looking at the pole from the crossarm side, the dummy will be hung on the crossarm side below the arm and above the brace bolt.
- Mean Time for this event will be 5 minutes. Maximum Time for this event will be 10 minutes.
HOW IT WORKS:
Event Description:
- On 40 class 2 pole, 8 ft arm, 2 phase double dead ended.
- This event is simulated energized at 4 kV, one side will be simulated energized and the other de-energized. The judge will determine and identify which conductor is simulated energized.
- Journeyman will utilize load pickup jumper to pick up simulated load, then create tap over the arm for permanent installation.
- Wedge type connector will be utilized on both ends.
- Time would stop once connection is made, and both competitors are below the neutral.
- Competitors will remove the tap for the next team.
- This event has a mean time of 15 minutes. This event has a maximum time of 20 minutes.
HOW IT WORKS:
Event Description:
The purpose of this event is to determine knowledge, dexterity and capability of making splices.
- All three members of the team participate at the same time.
- Time starts when all three members are in the designated circle and signal to start time.
- Make a short splice and two eye splices with an inside natural eye length of at least 3 inches using Colombian PD 100 1/2 inch rope.
- Four tucks with no more than 1/2 inch tail, taping is not mandatory.
- Splice will be judged on appearance, tightness and size of eyes.
- Time will be used as a tie breaker.
- This event has a mean time of 12 minutes. This event has a maximum time of 17 minutes.
Event Specifications
Event Specifications:
- Teams will have five minutes to ask questions and prep area. All tools must be laid out on the supplied tarp in the designated work area. All materials will be supplied to perform this task except for basic hand tools. Material can be staged but no preloading of the bags.
- Time starts on the judge’s signal.
- Climbers may start with belt and hooks on but nothing attached to the pole prior to the judges signal.
- Climbers must wear class II rubber gloves ground to ground.
- All materials must be sent up and down using the handline.
- The neutral, neutral clevis, secondary conductor, and secondary conductor clevis must be covered with rated cover up before ascending above.
- Primary conductors shall be moved using appropriate hot-sticks. Ends of cross-arm must be covered.
- The team will be provided with proper cover up, and hot-stick tools. Only provided hot-sticks and attachments may be used.
- Time will stop when all work is complete and the last climber makes contact with the ground. (All tools and material must be on the tarp before the last climber touches the ground)
Event Specifications
Scoring will be based upon completion time, plus time added for infractions as outlined below:
- Fifteen (15) seconds will be added on to the time for a cracked or broken egg. The egg must be shown to the judge, otherwise it will be counted as broken.
- Cutouts will add six (6) seconds to the time.
- Other safety infractions will count in seconds instead of points.
Event Specifications
Event Specifications:
- Teams will have five minutes to ask questions and prep area. All tools must be laid out on the supplied tarp in the designated work area. All materials will be supplied to perform this task except for basic hand tools. Material can be staged but no preloading of the bags.
- Time starts on the judge’s signal.
- Climbers may start with belt and hooks on but nothing attached to the pole prior to the judges signal.
- Climbers must wear class II rubber gloves ground to ground.
- All materials must be sent up and down using the handline.
- The neutral, neutral clevis, secondary conductor, and secondary conductor clevis must be covered with rated cover up before ascending above.
- The team will be provided with proper cover up, load pick up jumper, and pre-cut tap and associated wedge connector, tools and tie wire.
- Time will stop when all work is complete and both climbers are below the neutral. Judging will continue until competitors are both on the ground.
APPRENTICE EVENTS

Event Description:
The purpose of this event is to follow the guidelines exactly, climbing safely and professionally.
- Contest starts at the signal with person standing an arm’s length from pole. A small canvas bucket with a medium size egg placed in the bottom will be carried up the pole. No padding or other changes can be made to the bucket.
- Climb pole with egg in bucket. The bucket may be carried with your teeth or hung on your belt, but may not be carried up in your hand.
- There will be no obstruction to climb over.
- Remove old bucket at top of pole and drop it to the ground.
- Put egg in mouth, hand bucket on “J” hook or lag.
- Climb down without breaking egg in mouth
- Contest stops when the first foot touches the ground.
- Show egg to judge.
- There will be no mean time for this event.
HOW IT WORKS:
Event Description:
The purpose of this event is to rescue a person in the event of his becoming disabled in the work area. This will be done in a calm and orderly manner.
- Event starts at the signal with person standing at an arm’s length from the pole. The rescuer’s belt and hooks will be lying on the ground, away from the pole.
- A signal will be given by the judge to proceed.
- Rescuer will climb into position to effect the rescue, there will be no obstruction to climb over.
- When rescuer reaches his position, he shall tie one end of the handline under the dummy’s arms and around the chest with three half hitches. The half hitch is the only acceptable knot.
- Dummy should be moved smoothly to the ground.
- The event is over when dummy is on the ground and rope is slack.
- After the dummy reaches the ground, the rescuer will hang the dummy and handline for the next participant.
- Looking at the pole from the crossarm side, the dummy will be hung on the crossarm side below the arm and above the brace bolt.
- Mean Time for this event will be 5 minutes. Maximum Time for this event will be 10 minutes.
HOW IT WORKS:
Event Description:
- Crossarm construction will have a pin and insulator on each end.
- A second crossarm will be on the ground with pins, insulators, carriage bolts, and braces removed by the previous Apprentice.
- Time will start when the team signals it is ready to climb.
- The climber will assemble the arm on the ground after the start.
- The old arm can be removed intact and sent down and the preassembled arm put in place.
- Time stops when the Apprentice has both feet on the ground and work is complete.
- Apprentice will need to strip the crossarm that is on the ground for the next competitor, but this will not be part of the score.
HOW IT WORKS:
- Fifty question test, using multiple choice and true/false questions
- Questions are derived from material contained in the publication listed below
- “The Lineman’s and Cableman’s Handbook”
- Published by McGraw-Hill
- Each participant starts with 100 points
- Each incorrect answer or un-answered questions is a 2 point deduction
- There is a 2 point deduction for exceeding the mean time of 15 minutes
- Testing time is limited to 20 minutes
- After 20 minutes expire the participant will be stopped and have 2 additional points deducted.
- Test will be placed face down until all participants have received the test. Time starts when the Testing Judge announces that all participants may flip over the test and begin.
- Record answers on answer sheet, not on the test.
- No questions after test starts. (Including test time expired)
- Time stops when participant notifies the testing judge he/she is done, or when the 20 minute testing time is up.
- Time will be used to break a tie.
- The Testing Judge will record the completion time and print his/her name on the answer sheet.
- Testing Judge will escort participant to Chief Judge at exit table and give test and answer sheet to Chief Judge
- The Chief Judge will confirm with the participant that information at the top of the answer sheet is correct and check answer sheet to be complete.
- Participant is free to exit, after the answer sheet is checked by the Chief Judge at the exit table.
- Any protests must be made before exiting the testing tent.
- Only Event Judges and Participants are permitted in the Testing Area.
Event Specifications
Scoring will be based upon completion time, plus time added for infractions as outlined below:
- Fifteen (15) seconds will be added on to the time for a cracked or broken egg. The egg must be shown to the judge, otherwise it will be counted as broken.
- Cutouts will add six (6) seconds to the time.
- Other safety infractions will count in seconds instead of points.
Event Specifications
Event Specifications:
- Apprentice will have five minutes to ask questions and prep area. All tools must be laid out on the supplied tarp in the designated work area. All materials will be supplied to perform this task except for basic hand tools. Material can be staged but no preloading of the bags.
- Time starts on the judge’s signal.
- Climber must wear class II rubber gloves ground to ground.
- All materials must be sent up and down using the handline.
- Time will stop when all work is complete and Apprentice has both feet on the ground.
- Mean Time for this event will be XX minutes. Maximum Time for this event will be XX minutes.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

International Lineman’s Rodeo & Expo
October 14-17, 2020
Overland Park, Kansas
FAMILY ACTIVITIES

This is an Event for the Entire Family and an Opportunity to show your family and friends what you do!
Additionally, there will be a family area that includes items such as: face painter, carnival games, safety town, electricity 101, crafts, touch-a-truck, and more.
ComEd Vendors will be present to showcase their merchandise.
CONTACT
