Im suspended. :(

[bren guzzi]

I've been suspended from duties .. My work mate messed up while refurbing a transformer ... We spent the day being "questioned " intently about what happened .. Including formal disciplinary proceedings etc etc.. Blah blah blah.
He made a mistake.... First one in over 7 years knowing the guy. . I was in charge of the job so I'm guilty by association,
in the uk to work on overhead lines you need your " green book"" it's like a LINESMANS passport ..it contains all your training records,authorizations, etc.
while the incident is under investigation our green books are taken from us. This means we are not allowed on site. BUT WE WILL BE PAID. ( innocent until proved guilty). Off the record I've been told that I am blameless as I was doing other jobs while he performed his tasks. And I am not here to check an experienced mans work..
but they are following procedure., and we are suspended on full pay.. Awaiting the outcome of the enquiry :(

[reppy007]

WOW.......You guys have different rules than us by far.......(but).......look on the bright side.....you dont have to make the 6 hour drive,plus your getting paid :D

[bren guzzi]

That would be great reppy.
But we have to go down tomorrow to work in the yard.not allowed on site ..but ok in the compound . :eek:

[reppy007]

If theres work to be done and they intend to bring you both back anyway......it would seem like they are shooting themselves in the foot cause they are paying you guys for being off.....If Im paying a guy I would want something out of the deal......they should have sat you down in an office and finished it there instead of delaying what shouldnt have been delayed....but what do I know.:mad:

[BigClive]

And this is why it's simply not worth the token gesture extra payment (if any) to be in charge.

I decided not to "run" jobs a long time ago.

[neil macgregor]

I hope freedom understand that this is a one of
if that little carrot jason Hill is involved in the
inquiry your mate might aswell look for another job now

[bren guzzi]

And this is why it's simply not worth the token gesture extra payment (if any) to be in charge.

I decided not to "run" jobs a long time ago.

I didn't want to be in charge either Clive. Prefer to be hands on ..but to be honest there was no point in moaning about the way jobs we're run ..without steeping up to the plate ..I felt that with my experience I could offer some input and hopefully make the job easier for the lads.
ive had a phone call. We have been given our green books back..but we haven't got physical possession of them. until Monday

which means I can work on site over the weekend.but I will be unable to take a permit..
Ha ha. Bottom line back in my tent tomorrow night.
P.S. MY COLLEAGUE MAY BE DEMOTED until he attends re fresher training.
And Reppy. Don't worry they get their pound of flesh from us..
While the enquirery was going on we were sorting gear out in the stores.

[Hebrew]

That would be great reppy.
But we have to go down tomorrow to work in the yard.not allowed on site ..but ok in the compound . :eek:

Cheez,thought you would've been able to enjoy a few Guinness till it was all over.Oh,well......

[bren guzzi]

I hope freedom understand that this is a one of
if that little carrot jason Hill is involved in the
inquiry your mate might aswell look for another job now

I was able to argue that there was accentuating circumstances to the incident .. The guys are driving 6 hours a day..it was unusually hot.we only had the two of us working together on a section of line that we couldn't get a bucket into. I HAVE REPEATEDLY ASKED FOR EXTRA MEN IN MY TEAM.. We were given an unreasonable amount to do that day.. And a tired man made a mistake.
( we didn't get time to stop for lunch ) .. So I was able to put some of the blame back up the chain.. Which took the pressure off my guy,:p

[bren guzzi]

Cheez,thought you would've been able to enjoy a few Guinness till it was all over.Oh,well......

Stereotype ....Hebrew.. Shame on you. I'm the exception that proves the rule..A NON DRINKING IRISHMAN ..:eek:

But ya weren't to know. ;)

[reppy007]

I do have a question Bren...seems like you do your share of climbing at times....thats all part of being a lineman,but do they have a few younger guys to do that.Here where Im located contractors do most of the bigger jobs,the days are over when you saw utility hands building a big line.But the utility has lots of younger guys and the contractors rely on the older guys to do the climbing.Sure it can be done even though its a$$ backwards....its tough on an older guy when climbing a 55 foot pole to tie in a static and all 3 phases...I dont care who you are ,a guy that is 50ish doesnt have the same body as a guy in his 20s or even 30s........anyway good luck.....too bad this isnt football....where we can sue due to hazards that were known years ago.Meanwhile.....take care of your knees....you only have TWO.

[bren guzzi]

We try to keep the older guy ( ME....52 ) on the ground for two reasons ..I can pre empt what's needed before the guy on the pole needs it ,so saves a lot of time.. And my knees are ok at the moment but not as quick as I once was.
thats why we've been asking for more men..
my crew is just two of us. At the moment.... So I'm forced to climb at times as situations arise during the day where both of us have to be in the air.. Hopefully this incident will force their hand into employing more men.
There is a bit of an excuse.
The company I work for ,their contract is up shortly with the utility we are working for so they are trying to get the contract renewed . This job we area doing isn't making any money for them...it's one they are contractually obliged to do ..as it is one of those spread out messy jobs with bits and pieces over big areas.
If they succeed in renewing the contract they are secured for another 7 years. ... ( if they don't get it we will go with the company that does ) :D

[bluestreak]

Bren how can your Co. justify just the two of you when your both in the air, for safety's sake don't you need a qualified climber on the grd in case something happensin the air.

[reppy007]

We try to keep the older guy ( ME....52 ) on the ground for two reasons ..I can pre empt what's needed before the guy on the pole needs it ,so saves a lot of time.. And my knees are ok at the moment but not as quick as I once was.
thats why we've been asking for more men..
my crew is just two of us. At the moment.... So I'm forced to climb at times as situations arise during the day where both of us have to be in the air.. Hopefully this incident will force their hand into employing more men.
There is a bit of an excuse.
The company I work for ,their contract is up shortly with the utility we are working for so they are trying to get the contract renewed . This job we area doing isn't making any money for them...it's one they are contractually obliged to do ..as it is one of those spread out messy jobs with bits and pieces over big areas.
If they succeed in renewing the contract they are secured for another 7 years. ... ( if they don't get it we will go with the company that does ) :D

Ok then...on to the next question....Ill assume that the utility has lots more people than you guys....that was simple to guess....Ill also assume that the utility has loads of younger guys....is that correct?......now you mentioned that your knees are ok for the moment,good luck there cause you may be paying the price in the years to come.Now,,before I before I bore you to death Ill throw my 2 cents in.....it seems like your company is asking for alot of work out of a two man crew,on the plus side you have job security on your side.....it seems.

[bren guzzi]

Bren how can your Co. justify just the two of you when your both in the air, for safety's sake don't you need a qualified climber on the grd in case something happensin the air.

The rule is. " we must be within sight and sound of each other"
REMEMBER..we never work live.. They reckon which ever one had an accident the other could rescue him.
As for the utility having younger men etc... We are contractors ..working for the utility ...most of the teams / crews are four men.i had three for awhile but one guy left. We quite often work with other crews on jobs and we all work together..but on some shutdowns. We are a crew and get no preferential treatment when being issued work..BUT if we aren't finished our full work load nearing the end of the day any crews that are will jump in and give us a hand, knowing our situation..

[bobbo]

Good men in the long run always win. Some people believe that status position and money are the answer. You are a guy that loves his job, responsible and admired. When we meet our maker you can't take all that stupid stuff with us.

Seeing your pictures. Seeing how you love this trade, re motivates me sometimes.

and I have that in my foreman now. Best foreman I have had in the trade.

As as far as your age, I am your age and I climb better than I did 20 years ago. If you keep doing it your moves are efficient.

Dont get down about it. Pick your ass up and keep going!

[reppy007]

Good men in the long run always win. Some people believe that status position and money are the answer. You are a guy that loves his job, responsible and admired. When we meet our maker you can't take all that stupid stuff with us.

Seeing your pictures. Seeing how you love this trade, re motivates me sometimes.

and I have that in my foreman now. Best foreman I have had in the trade.

As as far as your age, I am your age and I climb better than I did 20 years ago. If you keep doing it your moves are efficient.

Dont get down about it. Pick your ass up and keep going!

Thats a good one babbo,never hear that saying about not being able to take the stupid stuff with us :D.....But I have to ask this,if your in your 50s and you climb better than you did when you were in your 20s......who the hell trained you to climb? Or can you recommend the drug that your now on....I may need to try it.:D

[Hebrew]

Stereotype ....Hebrew.. Shame on you. I'm the exception that proves the rule..A NON DRINKING IRISHMAN ..:eek:

But ya weren't to know. ;)

I stand corrected....a bit surprised,in a good way though!!

[Hebrew]

I was able to argue that there was accentuating circumstances to the incident .. The guys are driving 6 hours a day..it was unusually hot.we only had the two of us working together on a section of line that we couldn't get a bucket into. I HAVE REPEATEDLY ASKED FOR EXTRA MEN IN MY TEAM.. We were given an unreasonable amount to do that day.. And a tired man made a mistake.
( we didn't get time to stop for lunch ) .. So I was able to put some of the blame back up the chain.. Which took the pressure off my guy,:p

You are a good man,I tip my helmet to you,Sir!!!

[bren guzzi]

Back in the saddle today. Spent 4 hours changing cable terminal pole. Had to do it today as the entrance was through
children's school. Spent 5 hours repairing my jag. Heater hose blew.
FFS YOU WOULD NEED TO BE A LEFT HANDED LEPRECHAUN TO GET AT THE HOSE. :cool:
Me and my work mate were cleared to work late yesterday.green books delivered to site early morn.
Work mate might be sent to " re train" for a few days but other than that we are in the clear.

Back on the camp site. Enjoying the sun. Everything is SHINEY...

[rob8210]

Glad to hear the suspension was short, keep up the good work, Bren!

[bobbo]

Thats a good one babbo,never hear that saying about not being able to take the stupid stuff with us :D.....But I have to ask this,if your in your 50s and you climb better than you did when you were in your 20s......who the hell trained you to climb? Or can you recommend the drug that your now on....I may need to try it.:D

I noticed younger guys buy all the wrong gear. They buy the 1000 dollar belt the super light gaffs. The whole key is the repetition. I pull up my pant legs, bend my legs when putting on my hooks ago my pants don't ride down. I just take the required tools. Plan my moves and what I need have it at the pole. Go up and get my **** done and come down. I grew up with 12 foot arms and now I put up eights. My boots are ugly but they are the best boots for climbing. Everybody Is buying those cool mountain climbing boots now. I have worn the same type of boot for 12 years and they are comfortable, suggested by a Cannucks. When you grow up hard now everything is easy.

you get the bucket to the harder stuff and the adjacents need 5 minutes of work, just put the hooks on.

And the number one suggestion to younger guys is spend the money for green pole gaffs. They are 20 dollars more and you will never cut out. Instead of buying that gay required buck squeeze buy better gaffs. The green pole gaffs are harder and sharper and never dull. The utility lineman get one brand issued to them. That's why they are falling. Construction lineman have to buy their own stuff. The only way you can cut out are splits with those gaffs. Instead of buying a 400 dollar pole position strap they should buy better gaffs. Instead of sharpening gaffs always keep an extra pair and replace them. I have all the necessary tools at home to file gaffs and I think going on the back of the truck right before a job to sharpen is the worst time. And I also loctite my gaffs in and replace damaged screws.

as far as who trained me, ALBAT. And I worked with a man who was trained by the Nazis who abhorred bucket trucks. Saw him on hooks for 12 hours transferring high line off his pole onto mine. He was a real real real lineman! The last WWII generation lineman I got to work with!

[Orgnizdlbr]

Glad you're back Bren...... I learned something new in this thread, the term "paid suspension".

Where I'm at, the suspension would have been unpaid and looooong, and we would fight before an arbitrator to get the time back.......

[bren guzzi]

Glad you're back Bren...... I learned something new in this thread, the term "paid suspension".

Where I'm at, the suspension would have been unpaid and looooong, and we would fight before an arbitrator to get the time back.......

" innocent until PROVED guilty ".
But if found guilty.. Sacked without back pay. And life time ban from working on that utilities equipment. :eek:.

[reppy007]

" innocent until PROVED guilty ".
But if found guilty.. Sacked without back pay. And life time ban from working on that utilities equipment. :eek:.

The media says that your guilty!:D

[bren guzzi]

The media says that your guilty!:D

You Yanks aren't still " believing " the media ARE YA... ??????:eek: