Safety First
I have been working at the Bloomingdales in Century City. We began the installation of a 12'X2'X1/2" glass fixture, very dangerous to handle. When my partner began to put up the support brackets, he found that there was no backing in the ceiling. He brought this to our foremans attention. The foreman instructed him to "just use adhesive and drywall anchors". The support brackets do not bear any weight but what they do is hold the upright sections from moving from side to side. The bottom brackets are 2 pieces, (1) an aluminum cleat anchored to the floor and (2) a lower upright support that sits on the cleat. The second part does not have any set screws to attach it to the first part. This part of the support system was very unstable. This too was brought to the foremans attention. A solution was offered and was dismissed. It was explained to us that the weight of the fixture would hold it down. We proceeded to install the first upright piece in a manner in which glass should not be handled. I was on top of the 10 ladder, after getting the glass in place I had to lock it in with end caps Using a lightweight rubber mallet I began to tap the end caps in, which in turn began to knock the support bracket loose. This meant that the adhesive and drywall anchors did not set up and hold. But we were told to continue. I am the apprentice on this job. I rely on my Journeymen and Foreman to take the lead and stop working in a potentially dangerous situation. Everyone could see that it was unstable, but no one wanted to stop the work. This really started to piss me off. I kept saying, we should stop doing this, but was basically told to keep quiet and keep working. It was explained that once the other pieces were put in place it would stabilize the fixture. Bullshit. We put the remaining five uprights up and took break. At break, I confronted the other 2 journeyman working with me on the project about the structural safety of this fixture. I asked them how come they didnt speak up when the foreman was present when they new the fixture was unstable. Their explanation was that they were relieved of responsibility when the foreman told them to continue in spite of the concerns that were raised. That if we didnt do it they would find someone who would. And my partner whom I had been working with for the past 6 months told me, "we are going to keep going, if you dont want to, you can ask to be put on a different project". So much for the Brotherhood and standing together. So I told my foreman that I felt that the project was not safe and not right and that I wanted to be put on a different project. He said he respected my decision and gave me a new project.
Yesterday was my last day with that company, not because I quit but because I am scheduled for LASIK surgery today. I am expected to return on Monday. I cannot work for a company that is willing to put its carpenters and the public into a potentially life threatening situation. There is still more that I have to do about this.
I have been working at the Bloomingdales in Century City. We began the installation of a 12'X2'X1/2" glass fixture, very dangerous to handle. When my partner began to put up the support brackets, he found that there was no backing in the ceiling. He brought this to our foremans attention. The foreman instructed him to "just use adhesive and drywall anchors". The support brackets do not bear any weight but what they do is hold the upright sections from moving from side to side. The bottom brackets are 2 pieces, (1) an aluminum cleat anchored to the floor and (2) a lower upright support that sits on the cleat. The second part does not have any set screws to attach it to the first part. This part of the support system was very unstable. This too was brought to the foremans attention. A solution was offered and was dismissed. It was explained to us that the weight of the fixture would hold it down. We proceeded to install the first upright piece in a manner in which glass should not be handled. I was on top of the 10 ladder, after getting the glass in place I had to lock it in with end caps Using a lightweight rubber mallet I began to tap the end caps in, which in turn began to knock the support bracket loose. This meant that the adhesive and drywall anchors did not set up and hold. But we were told to continue. I am the apprentice on this job. I rely on my Journeymen and Foreman to take the lead and stop working in a potentially dangerous situation. Everyone could see that it was unstable, but no one wanted to stop the work. This really started to piss me off. I kept saying, we should stop doing this, but was basically told to keep quiet and keep working. It was explained that once the other pieces were put in place it would stabilize the fixture. Bullshit. We put the remaining five uprights up and took break. At break, I confronted the other 2 journeyman working with me on the project about the structural safety of this fixture. I asked them how come they didnt speak up when the foreman was present when they new the fixture was unstable. Their explanation was that they were relieved of responsibility when the foreman told them to continue in spite of the concerns that were raised. That if we didnt do it they would find someone who would. And my partner whom I had been working with for the past 6 months told me, "we are going to keep going, if you dont want to, you can ask to be put on a different project". So much for the Brotherhood and standing together. So I told my foreman that I felt that the project was not safe and not right and that I wanted to be put on a different project. He said he respected my decision and gave me a new project.
Yesterday was my last day with that company, not because I quit but because I am scheduled for LASIK surgery today. I am expected to return on Monday. I cannot work for a company that is willing to put its carpenters and the public into a potentially life threatening situation. There is still more that I have to do about this.
Anyway, I ordered one breath at a time and a Bill Wilson biography at the same time, started reading one breath then switched to my name is Bill. I do that alot, depending on my mood. WHat I have read so far of KG's book I love. The wilson book is pretty boring so far, I usually read it to put myself to sleep and it works pretty well. Good luck with the lasik, let me know how it goes. I'm getting blind as a bat.