My 'Office' For The Past Week...

Normally at this time of year pictures of my 'office' look like this -

However, for the last week this has been my 'office'...

Yeah, not as scenic, certainly doesn't smell as good as the woods and there is zero risk of getting a tan - but it pays more bills then running dogs does!

The pulp mill that Mark is an electrician at runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all of the year except the few weeks in May when they do their annual 'shutdown'. Over a thousand workers are brought in assist in cleaning, repairing and improving the mill.
I was one of over 200 'tank watch/fire watch' people hired for the 7 day shutdown.

Hard hats, safety glasses, portable respirators, 'visi vests' and steel toed boots are mandatory.

We are responsible for monitoring workers when they enter 'confined spaces'. Spaces like this...

Certainly not work that taxes your mind or body - very boring actually - but I think I already mentioned that it pays a few bills!!

We also do 'fire watch', monitoring welders during and after they work to ensure fires don't occur.

There was one one fairly significant fire the second day of the shutdown, but the mill's fire department got it under control in no time and no one or no equipment was hurt.

We do do a fair amount of stair climbing and most of the floors are expanded metal grating, so you can see 4 to 5 floors down to the ground. Those with a fear of heights need not apply!!!

We are required to 'lock out' on equipment for safety reasons. With so many workers on site, it can be hard to find your own locks. Want to guess which one is mine??

The job ended yesterday and the kennel is very happy to have their 'full time staff' back. Bet threw herself over my neck in bed this morning making it clear that I was not heading out the door with Mark!

It was an interesting week (and did I mention that the money will help pay some bills???), but I'm more then happy to be trading this .....

....back for this....