Why green hard hats hang from power lines in BC

There are green hard hats bolted onto power lines across the province as part of a unique, longstanding BC Hydro tradition.

The hanging hats are symbols of accomplishment, hung by linesmen when they complete their apprenticeships to become journeymen.

“It’s a unique tradition among our line crews where an apprentice gets to hang their hat on the last line they worked on,” BC Hydro’s Susan Edgell told iNFOnews.ca. “Once more work has to be done on that line, the green hat gets taken down.

“They don’t pose any sort of threat or safety issue to the lines themselves. It’s an unofficial BC Hydro practise that has been going on for several years.”

Linemen, or power technicians, install, maintain and repair electrical power lines, and respond to power outages.

An apprentice wears a green hardhat for almost four years before becoming a qualified journeyman, and donning a white one.

Similarly, transmission workers for BC Hydro will hang a white hard hat on a transmission line when they retire.

Transmission workers maintain and repair electrical power systems that move electricity to distribution substations.

“These hats aren’t as obvious, as those lines typically are more rural and off road, not as easily seen by the public,” Edgell said.

Green hard hats currently hang above Highway 1 in Salmon Arm and at the intersection of Butt Road and Highway 97 in West Kelowna.

Do you know of any more green hats on electrical lines in Kamloops or the Okanagan? Let us know at news@infonews.ca.