My 19 yr old son just got a shipyard job. Tank cleaning.

[maveric]

He needs a job and has been through the Food service circuit, but this may be a bit dangerous.
He will be crawling through holes in ships and into tanks used for holding all types of liquids. Its tight, dark, and not a "clean" job.
I worked in a few tanks during my long and illustrious shipyard years and always hated tank cleaning. You are in a tight, confined space, with a blower, (ventilation) and air lines for 7" grinders and needle guns.
20 years ago I had an experience where some clown on the main deck pulled the plugs on my lighting and ventilation. The tank filled up with dust and smoke and I had to feel myself, crawling backwards, out of that space. I almost killed everyone who was standing around the electrical outlets.

I realize he needs a job but now I'll really worry about him.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. *hugs* Hope all goes well. At least there is someone in the family who

understands that he can complain about his job to.

[all.of.me]

2. ya gotta let go

i know it's hard. i have a teenager, too, and it's hard to let them make their decisions and live with them.

[LynneSin]

3. And that's still 110% safer than a trip to Iraq via the military

but :grouphug:

[maveric]

6. Indeed it is! But it is the most dangerous job in the shipyard.

He's my middle kid and the one that I have always worried more about. I need to let go and let him take his stab at manhood.

My sons are ages 23, 19 and 14 and I still worry about them constantly.

[LynneSin]

12. I'm almost 40 and my mother still worries about me

Welcome to reality

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Hi, maveric...

Dare we hope that conditions might be better these days? New rules and like that? Try not to worry; that's hard, I know...He's growing up and doesn't that blow you out of the water? And I hope that the money and benefits are top notch!

:pals:

[no name no slogan]

5. Is it union? (nt)

[maveric]

7. No. There arent many unions on the San Diego waterfront anymore.

Repugs broke them some 20 years ago.

[BikeWriter]

8. Look up the number for your regional OSHA office...

Have him memorize it so he can quote it to anyone not following proper safety practices.

[barb162]

10. and he should get proper safety training before going into

the tanks. I imagine face masks as a minimum are required. I think he should get a copy of the OSHA rulebook for this work also.

[BikeWriter]

14. Good points, Barb.

[barb162]

15. Thanks, I also think there might be specific clothing for

skin protection besides respiratory protection, including air monitoring.

[maveric]

17. Yep! I need to scrape up a few bucks to buy him some safety shoes...

and work clothes.

[BikeWriter]

21. Stay in touch, Brother. If I can assist from here, I will.

[BikeWriter]

20. Yes, Ma'am, there is. In fact, I'll offer my services to bring concerns...

to the proper authorities. I don't know if the same supervisor is over this office here, but if he is I'd say he remembers me.

[maveric]

11. He has a one week training program before he goes on board ship.

They do stress the importance of safety. A death or serious injury would put some of these companies out of business.
I still have some of my old OSHA safety manuals and I'll dig them out for him.

[BikeWriter]

13. Good idea! My employers found out I'd file on them...

if they didn't act promptly. I wrote the OSHA number on my hard hat. The last time I saw our regional director of OSHA he knew who I was.

[maveric]

19. Picture Coal or mineral mining, inside a confined space in a Naval vessel.

I had to do it for a couple weeks when the big contracts dried up.
I HATED it!

[BikeWriter]

25. I retired from the chemical industry after years. I'm aware how nasty...

and dangerous it is.

[barb162]

16. check the manual out on the web too, I have some old manuals too

and I don't trust them anymore, especially as to hazard communication and training and how that may have changed since the late 80s.

[BikeWriter]

22. You're right. I retired close to 2000. I'd been imposing my will...

on a certain Fortune 500 conglomerate for years. Their bottom line is profit!

[I Know How To Do it]

9. Well since the ship is in your yard, I think it will be ok.

He'll be close.

[maveric]

18. LOL!!!

[fortyfeetunder]

23. Does he need a confined space certification?

And is the equipment used in the space also certified?

[maveric]

26. He'll be getting one after his training period.

[Maddy McCall]

24. My ex husband was a tank cleaner for about two months.

He couldn't take it. IT's a very physically demanding job (the grinder he was using weighed 60 lbs), and it's dangerous, too.

Can you talk him into another occupation? :hug: