I’ve been thinking a lot about mental health and addiction in the trades these days. So much so that I frequent the Centre For Disease Control and World Health Organization websites looking for interesting articles and statistics regarding construction workers and their overall relationship to mental health and addiction. I have heard that rates of … Continue reading Mental Health and Addiction In The Trades
union
Unions, Get In One and Get Off Your Butt. A Trade Workers Perspective.
An electrician’s perspective on why joining a union as a tradesperson is the smartest thing you’ll ever do, and why just paying your dues isn't good enough. What’s a union? A labour union is a group of workers who group themselves together to bargain with governments, industry and employers to improve working conditions. Its me, you, … Continue reading Unions, Get In One and Get Off Your Butt. A Trade Workers Perspective.
Electricians Without Borders Interview
Nearly two months ago, an article in my union locals newsletter caught my eye about a non-governmental organization called Electricians Without Borders. They are a group of volunteer electricians, paying their own travel to communities in need, to share their talents and time. This sounded awesome and I had to know more. I … Continue reading Electricians Without Borders Interview
On Becoming Journeyed; Four lessons I have learned the hard way as a trade woman.
I have recently officially received my papers showing I have completed my apprenticeship. I have endured 6000 workplace hours, taken four levels of electrical schooling, and am now called a journeyman/journeywoman/journeyperson. I have been working towards this accomplishment vehemently for about five years, and oh, what a journey it has been. I am now … Continue reading On Becoming Journeyed; Four lessons I have learned the hard way as a trade woman.
BULLIED, SELF ESTEEM, ENDURANCE AND WIT.
Right before I head to my second year of schooling, where I will finally learn all about single phase AC (Alternating Current) electricity (because in your first year you only touch on DC, Direct Current), I am stuck on a substation site as an electrical apprentice and first aid attendant with one other worker, Tim … Continue reading BULLIED, SELF ESTEEM, ENDURANCE AND WIT.
WORKING UNDER INDUCTION
I’m working under the 500kv lines. Atop a mountain looking over the mainland this time. Above the city of Coquitlam. I can look across the way and imagine the outline of the water treatment plant I was working on a few months back. Mostly I just see the mountains of trees yonder, with a clear … Continue reading WORKING UNDER INDUCTION
WOMENS COMMITTEE, TREEPLANTING AND LOVE
It’s a weeknight at around 7:00 PM, somewhere in a sub-urban neighborhood, sheltered by commercial box stores and busy sidewalk lined streets. I can hear traffic, and smell food cooking. We are outside a pub, and I am listening to a few other women carry on a conversation about motorcycles, because they like to ride … Continue reading WOMENS COMMITTEE, TREEPLANTING AND LOVE
Sexy things, and repulsive things
I love my job. Driving to work I have a great time looking forward to working as an electrician. There are a lot of sexy terms in the electrical trade. Such as, if I ever worked with someone attractive I could try to use electrical puns to get into their pants. Pun my way into … Continue reading Sexy things, and repulsive things
First Aid, AED’s and Electrocution
Out on the work site, up a ladder, I'm wiring an LCC panel. The print is easy to follow, and all the cables are well labeled so my mind is able to drift around in thought. I'm thinking about AED's (automated external defibulators). In my electrical apprenticeship program, it was stressed repeatedly, (and this question … Continue reading First Aid, AED’s and Electrocution
Whats A Substation? Where I Work and How I got Here
A:Primary power lines' side B:Secondary power lines' side 1.Primary power lines 2.Ground wire 3.Overhead lines 4.Lightning arrester 5.Disconnect switch 6.Circuit breaker 7.Current transformer 8.Transformer for measurement of electric voltage 9.Main transformer 10.Control building 11.Security fence 12.Secondary power lines
Secret Life Of An Apprentice Ellectrician 