{"id":17214,"date":"2022-09-22T17:58:02","date_gmt":"2022-09-22T22:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/?post_type=solution-story&p=17214"},"modified":"2025-06-25T03:50:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T08:50:08","slug":"wooden-utility-pole-repair-for-lineman","status":"publish","type":"solution-story","link":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/solution-story\/wooden-utility-pole-repair-for-lineman\/","title":{"rendered":"Wooden Utility Pole Repair for Lineman"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A lineman’s rodeo was saved after two poles set for competition were discovered to have significant woodpecker damage. Polywater UPR was used to fill the holes and repair the poles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":17271,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"categories":[2993,2996,3004,3005],"industry-type":[2980,2981],"class_list":["post-17214","solution-story","type-solution-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asset-life-extension","category-utility-pole-repair","category-content-type","category-case-study","industry-type-telecommunications","industry-type-electrical-infrastructure"],"acf":{"related":"","file":false,"subtitle":"Rodeo Event Made Possible with Polywater\u00ae UPR\u2122","columns":[{"image":{"ID":17275,"id":17275,"title":"The challenge frame- woodpecker","filename":"The-challenge-frame-woodpecker.jpg","filesize":674934,"url":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/solution-story\/wooden-utility-pole-repair-for-lineman\/the-challenge-frame-woodpecker\/","alt":"Pileated woodpecker on a utility pole","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"the-challenge-frame-woodpecker","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":17214,"date":"2022-07-28 19:19:08","modified":"2022-07-28 19:29:00","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":980,"height":729,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker-300x223.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":223,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker-768x571.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":571,"large":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker.jpg","large-width":980,"large-height":729,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker.jpg","1536x1536-width":980,"1536x1536-height":729,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker.jpg","2048x2048-width":980,"2048x2048-height":729,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":223,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":298,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-challenge-frame-woodpecker.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":446}},"title":"Wooden Pole Damage Due to Woodpeckers","content":"

Line workers from around the state compete in hurt-man rescues, equipment repair, and pole-climb competitions during the annual rodeo of a large investor-owned utility company. They are judged on speed, agility, technique, and safety procedures. A week prior to the 2020 Lineman\u2019s Rodeo in Florida, the pole yard was constructed. Two days after setting the poles, the staff identified two poles which already had woodpecker damage. The first pole had a 1-inch deep hole and the other was significantly hollowed out.<\/p>\n"},{"image":{"ID":17283,"id":17283,"title":"The solution frame- UPR acton shot","filename":"The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot.jpg","filesize":507590,"url":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/solution-story\/wooden-utility-pole-repair-for-lineman\/the-solution-frame-upr-acton-shot\/","alt":"Polywater UPR being demonstrated on a damaged utility pole","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"the-solution-frame-upr-acton-shot","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":17214,"date":"2022-07-28 19:19:13","modified":"2022-07-28 19:29:00","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":980,"height":729,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot-300x223.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":223,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot-768x571.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":571,"large":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot.jpg","large-width":980,"large-height":729,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot.jpg","1536x1536-width":980,"1536x1536-height":729,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot.jpg","2048x2048-width":980,"2048x2048-height":729,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":223,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":298,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-solution-frame-UPR-acton-shot.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":446}},"title":"Extending the Life of the Poles with Polywater UPR\u2122","content":"

In order to avoid the time and expense of replacing a pole, the rodeo organizers planned to repair the pole and leave it up for the event. They determined Polywater\u00ae UPR\u2122<\/a> would be the right product for this situation. UPR is a two-part foam that mixes in the nozzle when applied. Since epoxies\u2019 interaction temperature can reach up to 300\u00b0F, a no-touch application is the safest method. UPR\u2019s unique formula expands to fully fill the void\u2014even above the entrance. No additional drilling is required which is safer and saves time. It was determined that the significantly hollowed-out pole was compromised and was replaced. Even so, UPR was applied to determine its effectiveness on this significant woodpecker damage.<\/p>\n"},{"image":{"ID":17279,"id":17279,"title":"The result frame- Lineman on pole","filename":"The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole.jpg","filesize":712396,"url":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/solution-story\/wooden-utility-pole-repair-for-lineman\/the-result-frame-lineman-on-pole\/","alt":"A lineman on a Utility pole","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"the-result-frame-lineman-on-pole","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":17214,"date":"2022-07-28 19:19:10","modified":"2022-07-28 19:29:00","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":980,"height":729,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole-300x223.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":223,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole-768x571.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":571,"large":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole.jpg","large-width":980,"large-height":729,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole.jpg","1536x1536-width":980,"1536x1536-height":729,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole.jpg","2048x2048-width":980,"2048x2048-height":729,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":223,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":298,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/The-result-frame-Lineman-on-pole.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":446}},"title":"A Gaff-able, Load-bearing Repaired Pole","content":"

The pole with the smaller hole, was repaired with UPR\u2122 and remained up for the rodeo event. The repaired pole was inspected and determined to be gaff-able and load bearing\u2014both qualities needed for the upcoming competition. Cross sections of the hollowed-out (removed) pole were examined. It was determined that the UPR had bonded to the wood which prevents moisture from seeping in and further degrading the pole. It was also evident that UPR had fully sealed the hole\u2014from the bottom to the top\u2014due to its 3-times expansion. It was concluded that Polywater UPR is a safe and effective solution for repairing damage to wooden poles.<\/p>\n"}],"graphic":{"image":{"ID":17287,"id":17287,"title":"UPR Stack","filename":"UPR-Stack.png","filesize":485184,"url":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack.png","link":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/solution-story\/wooden-utility-pole-repair-for-lineman\/upr-stack\/","alt":"A stack of cross sections of a utility pole repaired by Polywater UPR","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"upr-stack","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":17214,"date":"2022-07-28 19:24:40","modified":"2022-07-28 19:29:00","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":577,"height":361,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack-300x188.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":188,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack.png","medium_large-width":577,"medium_large-height":361,"large":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack.png","large-width":577,"large-height":361,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack.png","1536x1536-width":577,"1536x1536-height":361,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack.png","2048x2048-width":577,"2048x2048-height":361,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack.png","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":188,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack.png","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":250,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/UPR-Stack.png","gform-image-choice-lg-width":577,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":361}},"position":"1"},"related_articles_mode":"manual","select_related_articles":[{"post_identity":{"ID":17215,"post_author":"8","post_date":"2022-09-12 18:29:43","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-12 23:29:43","post_content":"","post_title":"UPR-NF Provides Performance at the Extreme","post_excerpt":"A company in Alberta dealt with extreme cracks in utility poles due to the weather and environment. They found a cost-effective, durable solution, that was easy to install in their remote locations.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"upr-nf-provides-performance-at-the-extreme","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-06-25 04:01:22","post_modified_gmt":"2025-06-25 09:01:22","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/?post_type=solution-story&p=17215","menu_order":131,"post_type":"solution-story","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}},{"post_identity":{"ID":17209,"post_author":"8","post_date":"2022-08-31 16:51:17","post_date_gmt":"2022-08-31 21:51:17","post_content":"","post_title":"FST Stops a Gnawing Problem","post_excerpt":"Customers in North Carolina were frustrated and angry due to service interruptions from damaged cables chewed by squirrels. Polywater FST was found to be a great solution to avoiding this damage.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"fst-stops-a-gnawing-problem","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-02-27 13:48:19","post_modified_gmt":"2026-02-27 19:48:19","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/?post_type=solution-story&p=17209","menu_order":136,"post_type":"solution-story","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}},{"post_identity":{"ID":7166,"post_author":"21","post_date":"2021-03-03 21:05:45","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-04 03:05:45","post_content":"Exposure to isocyanates is a hot button topic for suppliers and users of foaming and non-foaming urethane products in our industry. This is driven by tight exposure limits listed for isocyanates, the possibility of worker sensitization from repeated contact with the material, and efforts by the OSHA to more closely regulate some isocyanates. Skin contact with these materials can be effectively avoided through the simple use of rubber gloves and safe application procedures. The wild card is exposure to isocyanates in the air during application. Some health and safety departments would like to ban the use of all urethanes without having a complete picture of the exposure risks involved. To help clarify some of the issues, all urethane products produced by Polywater have been subjected to a sequence of isocyanate testing that measures the concentration of the chemical released into the workspace air during the product\u2019s intended use. Results show that the concentration of airborne isocyanate in the workspace is barely measurable, at a level below 1 part per billion (ppb).\r\n

Background<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

Isocyanates and Their Use<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nIsocyanates are very reactive chemicals that are used in polyurethane chemistry. Perhaps the most common applications are flexible and rigid foams for end uses such as cushioning and insulation. Isocyanates are also used in adhesives, coatings, sealants, and as additives for a variety of other chemistries. There are several isocyanates in commercial use, including methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) which, together, make up over 95% of the commercially produced isocyanates worldwide. U.S. consumption of isocyanates in 2008 was about 2.6 billion lbs. and that number is growing. This paper is concerned only with sampling of MDI, as it is the only isocyanate used in products sold by Polywater.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Related Content: <\/strong>Understanding How to Calculate Water Head Pressure<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nOSHA has taken an interest in these materials and their effects on workers, largely due to the significant population of workers (estimated at 280,000 in 1996), that could potentially be exposed to isocyanates on the job. Notable occupations that gained OSHA\u2019s attention: spray-on applicators of truck bed liners and home insulation. It should be noted that there is no OSHA movement to ban these materials. The interest is in the safe use of an extremely versatile raw material set.\r\n

Safety Concerns<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe exposure concerns with MDI and other isocyanates are real.\u00a0 We are concerned with both skin and respiratory contact.\u00a0 Such contact can cause dermatitis, skin and respiratory tract irritation.\u00a0 Additionally, these materials are dermal (skin) and inhalation sensitizers. Workers that develop sensitivity to isocyanates can show a reaction to very small exposures. Symptoms may vary from mild to moderate to severe. Any worker that develops such sensitivity should no longer work with isocyanates. Such sensitization and asthma are the primary concerns.\r\n

Exposure Limits<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nOSHA regulates exposure through the use of a PEL, or Permissible Exposure Limit, for many substances. This is the legal limit in the US for exposure by a worker to a chemical. This PEL is normally a time-weighted average.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Substance<\/strong><\/td>\r\nOSHA PEL<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
MDI<\/strong><\/td>\r\n20 ppb<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
TDI<\/strong><\/td>\r\n20 ppb<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n \r\n\r\nTherefore, if we perform air monitoring in the work space while our products are in use, the concentration of MDI measured should be less than 20 ppb.\r\n

Support for Monitoring Studies<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nPolywater has always designed its urethane products to minimize isocyanate exposure through safe application procedures.\r\n