On- Site

I have been on-site at the plant for a week now. I’ll be here for another 5 or so guaranteed, maybe more. I like being on-site, I like the people here at this plant, but I hate being on my feet on concrete for 9-11 hours all day. The only time we get to sit is when we’re back in the trailer, checking email or reviewing a drawing, etc. I have gone around town looking for a gym to work out in, and have tried two out. The second one is way nicer, but of course more expensive. Luckily though, when our company puts us on the road, they take care of our expenses, including a gym membership if we want. So I will probably join this week. One of the guys that works at the plant teaches a kickboxing class a few times a week in Aiken (about 15 miles from the plant in the opposite direction), so I may try that out tomorrow if I get out of here in time. By the time I work out and get dinner, there really isn’t much time to do anything. I don’t like having to eat out every meal, but it sure does bring variety – although not the best in the way of nutrition. There are a ton of people here between the two projects going on. I saw at least 12 today from our company. I am certainly learning a lot in the field though. Things come a lot faster when you are experiencing them rather than when you talk about them in meetings.

In all the construction areas, we have to wear steel toe shoes, safety glasses, hardhats, and in many of the production areas – hairnets. The technical term is PPE – personal protective equipment. When you’re doing other things, you have to add to the PPE. For example – a harness if you’re going up in a lift. A jumpsuit and gloves and faceshield for certain electrical work. Here is a picture of me in Electrical PPE. Compliments to Robin for the picture and for forcing me to wear it even though I was the only non-electrical engineer in the group.