May 10, 2023
2 Minute Read

Major European Utility Specifies Polesaver Protection

A major utility has recently specified the use of Polesaver sleeves to provide protection on its wooden utility poles. The utility based in Europe has traditionally used wooden poles treated with creosote wood preservative. Following the recent re-classification of Creosote by the European Commission as a class 1b carcinogen by the European Commission many European utilities are now looking at safe alternatives to creosote treatment...

A major European utility has recently specified the use of Polesaver sleeves to provide protection on their wooden utility poles.

Polesaver protected pole being lifted off the truck
Utility pole being lifted off the truck

The utility company has traditionally used wooden poles treated with Creosote wood preservative. Following the recent re-classification of Creosote by the European Commission as a Class 1b Carcinogen, many European utilities are looking at safer alternatives to Creosote treatment.

If we also factor in the possibility of Creosote bleeding, where liquid Creosote can bleed out of the pole surface under certain climatic conditions, the need for change is clear: To protect both utility employees and members of the public from coming into contact with Creosote.

Safer Alternatives

There are a range of safer alternative wood preservatives based on copper as the main active fungicide. Utility concerns over the longer-term performance of these wood preservatives, as well as attack by copper-tolerant fungi, have led many utilities to look for additional protection against groundline decay. This occurs at the ground line section of the pole, where mechanical loading and the likelihood of decay over time is high.

Worker installing Polesaver protected pole

Specification Criteria

The selection criteria set by the utility included the following requirements:

  • 40+ years expected pole life
  • Improved safety
  • Reduced environmental impact.

Following an extensive review by the utility, Polesaver composite ground line barrier sleeves were selected for use with a copper in oil type wood preservative treated to a high retention level.

Installation Commenced in 2021

Installation of Polesaver sleeved poles commenced in 2021. With only small changes in work practices required, the switchover has been trouble-free. Both utility and sub-contractor employees commented positively about the clean and odour-free alternatives.


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Get in touch to find out more about Polesaver’s total ground line barrier sleeve or request independent test data.

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Polesaver manufactures and supplies guaranteed products that are proven to maximise utility pole lifespan. With millions of Rot-Guard™ sleeves supplied to date, our patented ground-line barrier sleeves have been proven in volume use since 1994.
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*Polesaver uses long term independent test data on the effectiveness of barrier sleeves and fire protection fabric to reach all the conclusions given on this website (test data available on request). Based on this data, Polesaver believes longer life, maintenance of strength over time, improved safety and reliability, extended inspection periods and reduced maintenance requirements are reasonable claims. This is subject to Polesaver products being correctly applied as per our instructions and used on correctly preservative treated (for long term in-ground use - Use Class 4 or higher) wooden utility poles that are free of decay at the time of sleeve application. The claims made, real or implied are not warranties. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate and satisfy themselves that the performance of the product meets their specific safety, reliability, extended inspection, repair and any other performance or cost-benefit criteria before using Polesaver sleeves or fire protection fabric.
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