I have been asked to detail the most important aspects of preparation for work in my job, as an engineer in the construction industry.
Having worked in the building trade for many years now I can comment with experience and conviction on the most important aspects of personal planning for work.
It may surprise many, my first choice, especially with the way in which ‘builders’ are portrayed traditionally in the media. Any sitcom or drama series will inevitably portray a builder as some grease eating slob with poorly fitting attire and saggy trousers around a large belly. This is not the case any more. I, for one, realise that physical fitness plays an important role in my working day. My fitness levels are high, I run, swim and workout regularly and even do aerobics to improve my suppleness. This aids my work by increasing the level of work and concentration that I am able to apply to a job. My suppleness allows me to work, sometimes in strange positions, for long periods. I am not alone in the building profession, go past a building site and look. We are not the ludicrously characterised beer bellied yobs of yesteryear, but athletes in a physical profession.
Secondly, a thorough and select choice of tools is a must. I am talking now about the basics rather than speciality tools. A builder in this instance is like a chef, who needs a good set of knives. I am only properly comfortable onsite when I have my set of favourite tools with me. This is a simple set, including a heavy and useful pair of pliers, my hammer, a Stanley, a couple of heavy duty screwdrivers ( one flathead one cross ) and an adjustable monkey wrench. That is all I need. If I am involved in a specialist job, like say laying some roofing tiles I can use any old angle grinder. It is my trusty and well used tool set which I need with me at all times.
Lastly and by no means least, it is very important to be well dressed for the building site. As with the physical attributes of a builder being incorrectly satirised in the media, the clothing is no longer baggy jeans and a T-shirt. It is important to wear specially designed workwear as these can protect you from not only injuries, but from the wind and rain. For example a pair of jeans will be damp, heavy and uncomfortable after a small shower, a pair of decent Dickies trousers will be waterproof, offer protection as well as allowing your skin to breathe.
So from bottom up, to describe my attire: My feet are fully ensconced in pull up rigger boots, and I wear nice thick socks to prevent cold or blisters. My trousers are, as above a pair of Helly Hansens with built in knee protectors. On my top I tend to wear a tight fitting cotton top with a bodywarmer ( lots of pockets ). I find bodywarmers or utility vests very good at temperature regulation, you don’t really get too hot or too cold. I wear a nice Dickies vest ( Olive Coloured). My gloves are Timberland anti vibration work gloves as they give me protection and a certain freedom of movement which I need for some fiddly jobs.
All in all, correct preparation for work on a construction is paramount to being a well oiled piece of equipment. Physical fitness, tools and clothing all play an important part in giving you the confidence and ability to work safely and accuratley in whatever job you are involved in.
Davronline.co.uk provide a comprehensive catalogue of workwear for construction and are an excellent online resource for anyone working in the construction industry.
Alexis Svenn is interested in many things he finds online and in his pockets. He writes about many things from his Brighton Blog
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