Lineman's pliers cut, pull, and twist wire and cable. They also bend or straighten sheet metal, remove staples and fasteners, and compress links and collars. Also known as combination pliers, they have a gripping zone near the tip of the jaws and side cutters above the hinge. Their tapered head reams pipe ends to remove burs and smooth the inside lip. General purpose lineman's pliers are used for everyday applications where special environment pliers aren't required. Insulated lineman's pliers have non-conductive handle grips to protect against electrical shock when working near electrical components and energized equipment. Non-sparking lineman's pliers resist creating sparks and reduce the risk of ignition when working in areas where combustible dust or flammable liquids, gas, or vapors are present.