September 28th, 2006
Well, not really. Here I am sitting at my desk looking out the window. Not the greatest view in the world -a parking lot and the back of a movie theatre across the road, but whatever. It’s better then what I used to have. Pre-renovation I was upstairs, not really a legal workspace, but we made do. I was surrounded by old files of past jobs and scattered drawings that people hadn’t bothered to put back in their right locations. It was the dungeon as I had affectionately called it. As horrible was it was up there, I had very little interruptions and I was out of sight out of mind. LOL Well, there were 5 of us up there, but I was alone most of the time.
We’ve now moved to the main floor of the unit and have natural light! I share an office with my general manager, though he’s slightly untidy, he’s one of the best office mates I could ask for. He’s easy to get along with and we can chat for a little and know when to get back to work. Not like the people that chat and chat and never get the hint that you NEED to get back to work, I know you know the kind of people I am referring to.
It’s been a good transition back to work. The guys here have been very accommodating and helpful with me getting back on my feet. I feel a little out of place, not understanding inside jokes that have developed over the year I have been gone… or maybe it’s the fact that I am a superior woman *cough, cough* and don’t understand ‘man talk” ß note the sarcasm please. LOL
I have been finding it hard to situate myself back into the group and not feel as though I am a newbie; I have been an employee longer then everyone at this company, but I am feeling as though I am having to conform to changes that have been made and I had no input on… I COMPLETELY understand that and have no problem with it, just feels strange is all – most of them are for the better anyway.
It’s been a change showing up on construction sites again. I had slightly forgotten about the stares and looks as you walk in with your hardhat, vest and boots… it’s like some of these men have never seen a woman in their lifetime. Most of the guys that I have seen lately remember me from before, and are great to me. They really watch out for me and I can joke and chat with them like a buddy, but they would never expect that it would lead to something more, KWIM?
So, I know you’re interested in WHAT I actually do. It’s not something that I have taken the time to explain in detail before… people hear construction and assume that I am a labourer. That I am not.
I work for a small company and my job is to inspect installations of construction materials at the earliest stages. Not forming, roofing, or even the building itself, I am on sites before even that starts.
Before a building can even be constructed the most important part (that you never see) has to be constructed – the foundation. In larger cities it’s hard to construct something without having a neighbour. There is always one or more buildings next to the site that are affected by the new construction. Many building have 2+ underground floors for parking or basements and such, therefore require digging. The digging needs to be supported all around to keep everything outside that hole in place – so buildings aren’t shifting and falling and losing ground below them. That’s where my company comes in. We monitor the adjacent buildings and the walls of the site to make sure that there are no movements while these deep holes are dug – and they can range from 30 feet deep to 100 feet+.
I also inspect installations of the earth retention systems. Big machines drill holes for supports to be installed and then pressure applied to hold them in place. I inspect the installations as well as apply those HUGE loads o the tiebacks (supports). (It’s difficult to explain in simple terms and I’m sorry!) The loads that we put on these tiebacks can be as much as 2 overloaded and overstuffed transport trucks (1400kN). We use jacks to apply the load and I watch and take measurements. There are MANY more things that I do and take part of.. but that’s the easiest to explain. LOL!!
So there, you have a little insight to what kind of work I do.
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