What must be done to a pole if its strength is not sufficient to support a change in strain from climbing or installing equipment?

When a pole exhibits insufficient strength to support additional strain from activities such as climbing or the installation of equipment, the optimal course of action is to replace the pole. This decision prioritizes safety and structural integrity, ensuring that the new pole can adequately handle the demands placed upon it.

Replacing the pole ensures that the new structure meets current strength standards and will endure the operational stresses without risk of failure. Over time, factors such as weather, age, and previous wear can compromise the integrity of a pole, making replacement the most effective solution.

While reinforcement could be considered in some cases, it does not address the root issue of inadequate strength in a sufficiently compromised pole, and retesting would only provide an assessment of its current condition without rectifying the underlying problem. Therefore, replacement is the most reliable and necessary step in this scenario.