They're back...
Nov. 14th, 2006 06:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gridloreThis morning I posted about 4,800lbs of rods that made my life hell yesterday. How we faced an epic struggle in the rain to restack them to get them off my truck, and safely into the shop.
Today, like the slasher in a bad sequel, they were right back on my truck. After being weighed, I had to take them to our main source for galvanizing. At least this time our shop had tried to band the pallets, but the four pallets were all awkward, oversize, and a bit over a tone each. And I had to do this after my regular run. (Had I tried to load everything this morning, I would have been close to a tone over my allowed GVW.)
The drive up was not to bad, but I have to wonder. The place we go to does hot-dip galvanizing. This is a process that seems to involve open a gateway to the 423rd level of the Abyss, judging by the heat and noxious fumes. Really, I was there for half an hour today and can still feel the crap in my throat and lungs, and I was outside across the small street waiting to get unloaded! Yet I see people working inside that hellish furnace with not even the most basic breathing protection! OSHA inspectors going berserk aside, I would think that sheer survival instinct would prompt them to inquire about something to filter out the thick, metal-laden smoke! But no, they go about their business with nothing between them and a long, lingering death by way of lung disease but their mucous membranes.
I really, really cannot figure out people sometimes.
OH, and a note to the driver of the white SUV on Wright Brothers Way in Livermore today. Why yes, that was a stop sign you just blew threw. I know this is a quiet stretch of road, but blowing a stop sign while making a left turn and never looking right to see the heavily-loaded truck that came within three feet of you is fucking suicidal. The only reason I didn't track you down and beat you senseless with my pry bar is the paperwork and the concept that somewhere there might be a jury that would convict me.
Today, like the slasher in a bad sequel, they were right back on my truck. After being weighed, I had to take them to our main source for galvanizing. At least this time our shop had tried to band the pallets, but the four pallets were all awkward, oversize, and a bit over a tone each. And I had to do this after my regular run. (Had I tried to load everything this morning, I would have been close to a tone over my allowed GVW.)
The drive up was not to bad, but I have to wonder. The place we go to does hot-dip galvanizing. This is a process that seems to involve open a gateway to the 423rd level of the Abyss, judging by the heat and noxious fumes. Really, I was there for half an hour today and can still feel the crap in my throat and lungs, and I was outside across the small street waiting to get unloaded! Yet I see people working inside that hellish furnace with not even the most basic breathing protection! OSHA inspectors going berserk aside, I would think that sheer survival instinct would prompt them to inquire about something to filter out the thick, metal-laden smoke! But no, they go about their business with nothing between them and a long, lingering death by way of lung disease but their mucous membranes.
I really, really cannot figure out people sometimes.
OH, and a note to the driver of the white SUV on Wright Brothers Way in Livermore today. Why yes, that was a stop sign you just blew threw. I know this is a quiet stretch of road, but blowing a stop sign while making a left turn and never looking right to see the heavily-loaded truck that came within three feet of you is fucking suicidal. The only reason I didn't track you down and beat you senseless with my pry bar is the paperwork and the concept that somewhere there might be a jury that would convict me.
no subject
Date: 15 Nov 2006 03:28 (UTC)no subject
Date: 15 Nov 2006 08:54 (UTC)no subject
Date: 15 Nov 2006 10:44 (UTC)Yeesh, Zinc fumes are very much not good for you as I recall.
Yep:
http://www.sciencestuff.com/msds/C2980.html
And from another MSDS for zinc:
Potential Health Effects: Pure zinc dust is relatively non-toxic to humans by inhalation. However, acute over-exposure to zinc
oxide fume may cause metal fume fever, characterized by flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Ingestion
of soluble salts may cause abdominal irritation resulting in nausea and vomiting. Prolonged or repeated skin contact with zinc dust may cause a mild dermatitis in some individuals. Zinc is not listed as a carcinogen by OSHA, NTP, IARC, ACGIH or the EU.
no subject
Date: 16 Nov 2006 23:02 (UTC)Years back I was told that its a bad idea to try welding galvanized because the fumes will make a person sick.
In making up some safety railing, all I could scrounge up was galvanized pipe. Feeling that "where's there's a will (and a respirator) there's a way" I proceeded with my plan.
Figuring I could grind off some of the plating, wear a respirator, and weld outdoors, I thought I'd be fine... I got it built ok and didnt actually get sick, but I came close enough.
Short of a fresh air supply rig used by sandblasters it may be there is no good protection. It could also be the shop owner won't pay the costs. Or maybe its too much hassle and so the workers dont bother. Respirators are NOT fun to wear.