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7244.0 – Electrical power line and cable workers
Electrical power line and cable workers construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems.
Profile
Example titles Help
- Apprentice lineman/woman - electric power systems
- Cable installer - electrical power
- Cable splicer - electrical power
- Construction lineman/woman - electrical power line
- Power line patroller
- Power lineman/woman
- Powerline technician
Main characteristics Help
- General learning ability to construct, install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electric distribution and transmission systems including overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, transformers and other associated equipment
- Spatial perception and Form perception to erect and maintain steel, wood and concrete poles, towers and guy wires
- Motor co-ordination to climb ladders and operate hydraulic buckets when working aloft on poles and towers, and to work in confined spaces such as trenches and tunnels when installing power lines, cables and associated equipment
- Objective interest in precision working to splice, solder and insulate conductors and related wiring in order to connect power distribution and transmission networks using splicing tools, related electrical equipment and tools
- Innovative interest in compiling information to install and maintain street lighting systems; and in inspecting and testing overhead and underground power lines and cables and auxiliary equipment using electrical testing equipment
- Methodical interest in speaking with other workers to co-ordinate the preparation for and completion of assignments
Aptitudes Help
One of five levels assigned for each factor, with levels representing normal curve distribution of the labour force:
- G
- General learning ability
- V
- Verbal ability
- N
- Numerical ability
- S
- Spatial perception
- P
- Form perception
- Q
- Clerical perception
- K
- Motor co-ordination
- F
- Finger dexterity
- M
- Manual dexterity

- The highest 10% of the working population
- Upper third, exclusive of the highest 10%
- Middle third of the working population
- Lowest third, exclusive of the lowest 10%
- Lowest 10% of the working population
An individual's overall capacity to learn the skills needed to perform job duties is based on his or her specific aptitudes for acquiring information and transforming it into action.
General learning ability G-3
Ability to 'catch on' or understand instructions and underlying principles; to reason and make judgments.
Verbal ability V-3
Ability to understand the meaning of words and the ideas associated with them, and to use them effectively; to comprehend language, to understand relationships between words and to understand the meaning of whole sentences and paragraphs; to present information or ideas clearly.
Numerical ability N-4
Ability to carry out arithmetical processes quickly and accurately.
Spatial perception S-3
Ability to think visually about geometric forms and comprehend the two dimensional representation of three dimensional objects; to recognize the relationships resulting from the movement of objects in space. May be used in such tasks as blueprint reading and in solving geometry problems. Frequently described as the ability to 'visualize' objects of two or three dimensions.
Form perception P-3
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in objects and in pictorial and graphic material; to make visual comparisons and discriminations and to see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines.
Clerical perception Q-4
Ability to perceive pertinent detail in verbal or tabular material; to observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetical computation.
Motor co-ordination K-2
Ability to co-ordinate eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately when required to respond with precise movements.
Finger dexterity F-3
Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects with the fingers rapidly and/or accurately.
Manual dexterity M-3
Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully; to work with the hands in placing and turning motions.
Interests Help
Three of five descriptive factors, assigned in order of predominance and lower case rating indicating weaker representation:
- D
- Directive
- I
- Innovative
- M
- Methodical
- O
- Objective
- S
- Social
Objective O
Objective persons enjoy working with tools, equipment, instruments and machinery. They like to repair and/or fabricate things from various materials according to specifications and using established techniques. Objective persons are interested in finding out how things operate and how they are built.
Innovative i
Innovative persons like to explore things in depth and arrive at solutions to problems by experimenting. They are interested in initiating and creating different ways to solve questions and present information. They enjoy scientific subjects. Innovative persons prefer to be challenged with new and unexpected experiences. They adjust to change easily.
Methodical m
Methodical persons like to have clear rules and organized methods to guide their activities. They prefer working under the direction or supervision of others according to given instructions, or to be guided by established policies and procedures. Methodical persons like to work on one thing until it is completed. They enjoy following a set routine and prefer work that is free from the unexpected.
Data, people, and things Help
Data
- 0
- Synthesizing
- 1
- Co-ordinating
- 2
- Analyzing
- 3
- Compiling
- 4
- Computing
- 5
- Copying
- 6
- Comparing
- 7
- N/A
- 8
- Not Significant
People
- 0
- Mentoring
- 1
- Negotiating
- 2
- Instructing - Consulting
- 3
- Supervising
- 4
- Diverting
- 5
- Persuading
- 6
- Speaking - Signaling
- 7
- Serving - Assisting
- 8
- Not significant
Things
- 0
- Setting up
- 1
- Precision working
- 2
- Controlling
- 3
- Driving - Operating
- 4
- Operating - Manipulating
- 5
- Tending
- 6
- Feeding - Offbearing
- 7
- Handling
- 8
- Not significant
Data Compiling 3
Accumulating information usually recorded physically but which may be stored mentally; gathering, collating and classifying information about data, people and things; frequently reporting and/or carrying out a prescribed action in relation to the information.
People speaking 6
Talking with and/or signalling people to convey or exchange information; giving assignments and/or directions to helpers.
Things Precision working 1
Using the body and/or equipment to move, guide, place, install and/or interface with objects, in order to attain specifications and precise standards. Considerable judgment is required to select, adjust and utilize appropriate tools, products and/or materials to accomplish specified objectives.
Physical activities Help
V - Vision
- 1
- Close visual acuity
- 2
- Near vision
- 3
- Near and far vision
- 4
- Total visual field
H - Hearing
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Verbal interaction
- 3
- Other sound discrimination
L - Limb co-ordination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Upper limb co-ordination
- 2
- Multiple limb co-ordination
C - Colour discrimination
- 0
- Not relevant
- 1
- Relevant
B - Body position
- 1
- Sitting
- 2
- Standing and/or walking
- 3
- Sitting, standing, walking
- 4
- Other body positions
S - Strength
- 1
- Limited
- 2
- Light
- 3
- Medium
- 4
- Heavy
Vision Vision V-3
The use of sight in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the visual field involved in the performance of the work.
3 - Near and far vision
Some work activities involve the monitoring of processes, objects or situations in the work environment that are far from the worker. Other work activities involve Near vision (2).
Examples:
- installing shingles/tiles on roofs
- conducting surveys to establish legal property boundaries
- developing trading strategies by monitoring market conditions from the exchange floor
Colour discrimination Colour discrimination C-1
The use of colour descrimination to identify, distinguish and match colours and different shades of the same colours.
1 - Relevant
Colour discrimination is relevant in the performance of the work.
Examples:
- observing signals while operating vehicles
- installing, testing and repairing electrical wiring
- restoring and conserving museum and art gallery artifacts
- designing, constructing and repairing dentures
Hearing Hearing H-1
The use of hearing in the work performed. The levels are organized in terms of the type of auditory discrimination involved in the performance of the work.
1 - Limited
Hearing is limited to short and/or infrequent verbal interactions in order to perform the work.
Examples:
- typing and proofreading correspondence
- cutting and trimming meat, poultry and fish according to customers' orders
- carrying linen to and from laundry areas and running errands
- assisting mine workers in constructing underground installations
Body position Body position B-4
Primary type of posture or body movement involved in performing the work. These postures or body movements range from simple to complex and from sedentary to mobile.
4 - Other body positions
Work activities involve body postures other than, or in addition to, Sitting (1) and Standing and/or walking (2) such as bending, stooping, kneeling and crouching
Examples:
- performing labouring duties in warehouses
- measuring, cutting and installing carpeting
- adjusting, repairing or replacing parts and components of automotive systems
- treating patients' disorders of the spine and body through corrective manipulation
Limb co-ordination Limb co-ordination L-2
The use of limbs in performing work.
2 - Multiple limb co-ordination
Work activities are carried out by co-ordinating the movements of upper limb(s) simultaneously with lower limb(s).
Examples:
- digging ditches using shovels
- operating and driving automobiles, vans and trucks
- climbing and working aloft on poles, ladders or other support structures
- performing in figure skating competitions
Strength Strength S-3
The use of strength in the handling of loads such as pulling, pushing, lifting and/or moving objects during the work performed.
3 - Medium
Work activities involve handling loads between 10 kg and 20 kg.
Examples:
- setting up and operating finishing machines or finishing furniture by hand
- measuring, cutting and applying wallpaper to walls
- adjusting, replacing or repairing mechanical or electrical components using hand tools and equipment
- operating film cameras to record live events
Environmental conditions Help
Location
- L1
- Regulated inside climate
- L2
- Unregulated inside climate
- L3
- Outside
- L4
- In a vehicle or cab
Hazards
- H1
- Dangerous chemical substances
- H2
- Biological agents
- H3
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- H4
- Electricity
- H5
- Radiation
- H6
- Flying particles, falling objects
- H7
- Fire, steam, hot surfaces
- H8
- Dangerous locations
Discomforts
- D1
- Noise
- D2
- Vibration
- D3
- Odours
- D4
- Non-toxic dusts
- D5
- Wetness
Hazards Equipment, machinery, tools H3
Potential hazards to which the worker may be exposed. The codes provide an indication of the type(s) of hazard(s) most likely to be present in the workplace environment. They are not a measure of frequency, duration or degree of exposure to hazards, but an indication of the presence or absence of a particular hazard in the work environment.
H3 - Equipment, machinery, tools
Working near or with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools that may be a potential source of accident or injury.
Examples:
- operating metal machining tools to shape metal
- using hand tools to fabricate wood products
- operating power saws to thin trees
- performing surgical procedures
Hazards Electricity H4
Potential hazards to which the worker may be exposed. The codes provide an indication of the type(s) of hazard(s) most likely to be present in the workplace environment. They are not a measure of frequency, duration or degree of exposure to hazards, but an indication of the presence or absence of a particular hazard in the work environment.
H4 - Electricity
Exposure to electrical circuitry, high tension wires, transformers or other equipment that may be a potential source of electrical shock.
Examples:
- installing or repairing electrical wiring, motors and generators
- maintaining underground power transmission and distribution systems
- operating semi-automatic electric arc welding equipment
- repairing industrial electrical control systems and devices
Hazards Dangerous locations H8
Potential hazards to which the worker may be exposed. The codes provide an indication of the type(s) of hazard(s) most likely to be present in the workplace environment. They are not a measure of frequency, duration or degree of exposure to hazards, but an indication of the presence or absence of a particular hazard in the work environment.
H8 - Dangerous locations
Working in locations that are inherently treacherous and are potential sources of injury. Such work locations include construction sites, underground sites, erected support structures and marine environments.
Examples:
- building underground passageways in mines
- installing roof shingles
- washing exterior windows of buildings
- commanding fishing vessels
- operating underwater video, sonar, recording and related equipment
Location Outside L3
The work performed is carried out indoors in a regulated environment, indoors in an unregulated environment, outdoors or in a vehicle. In many occupations, the Main Duties may be performed in more than one location. Therefore, a group may have more than one Location code, for example:
- firefighting and fire prevention duties
- maintenance of interior/exterior of buildings
- managing operations and paperwork of farms
L3 - Outside
An outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to variations in weather conditions and seasonal weather patterns.
Examples:
- maintaining lawns
- repairing buildings, roads, bridges and dams
- operating power saws to thin and space trees
- delivering mail
Employment requirements Help
Education/training Help
- 1
- No formal education or training requirements
- 2
- Some high school education and/or on the job training or experience
- 3
- High school
- 4
- Course work, training, workshops and/or experience related to the occupation
- 5
- Apprenticeship, specialized training, vocational school training
- 6
- College, technical school (certificate, diploma)
- 7
- Undergraduate degree
- 8
- Post-graduate or professional degree
- +
- Additional requirement beyond education and training
- R
- Regulated requirement(s)
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a provincial three- or four-year lineman/woman apprenticeship program
or
a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required for electrical power line and cable workers. - Trade certification for powerline technicians is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Trade certification for powerline technicians (construction) is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Trade certification for distribution construction linemen/women is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified powerline technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Workplaces/employers Help
- Electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies
- Electrical contractors
- Public utility commissions
Occupational options Help
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
- The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
- The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
Exclusions Help
Breakdown summary
- Broad occupational category
- 7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
- Skill level
- B – Occupations usually require college education, specialized training or apprenticeship training
- Minor group
- 72 – Industrial, electrical and construction trades
- Minor group
- 724 – Electrical trades and electrical power line and telecommunications workers
- Unit group
- 7244 – Electrical power line and cable workers
- Version
- NOC 2016 Version 1.3