Stand my ground?

[brizospark]

Ok so i'm currently working for an agency who have put me on this job which is quiet a good job with the prospect of a good 12 months work

found myself in a dilemma today though

We are upgrading the bonding, in fact introducing bonding cos there was none in this factory

But that is besides the point

The guy in charge of the job asked me to run a 95mm cable for bonding across the main face of one of the buildings, which is in full view of everyone

He asked me to cable tie this 95mm cable to an existing very large SWA cable

I was immediately not keen on this idea then when I planned the run I noticed that the SWA was not straight, it went up and down in places

Anyway I bit the bullet and did as he asked

After doing this I descended from the scissor lift and stood back disgusted at what I had just done

The fact that the green and yellow colour of the cable didnt help as it just accentuated every twist and turn of the poorly installed armour.

I then went back up the scissor lift and cut all of the cable ties off before going to see the guy and explaining that I was really not happy with the way the job was being done, not only did it make me look bad but also his representative company.

I further elaborated that just above the SWA was a wooden facing and a straight run which we could ping a line across and neatly tele cleat the cable, I told him I needed 60 cleats so advised him to buy 3 x bags of 25

He then told me that they hadnt priced for cleats or the extra time to put cleats in ( cleats £4 a bag ! )

He also stated that because it was 'day' work we had to just get the cable in pretty rapid and that he wouldnt think that cable tying along the SWA would look too bad.

I again stated that I wasnt happy, that I had worked hard at my trade, gained electrical qualifications and had a good rep for leaving a tidy job and that I was not happy with undermining this and dropping the standard of my work.

He said that he disageed with me again and that the cable would look ok

By this time its the end of the day and I am left pondering whether or not I should stand my ground on this or just follow instrucutions as I fear they might, because I'm agency, tell me to bugger off

What do you guys advise?

 

[imago]

TBH I think you answered the question for yourself. A 12 month contract is well worth keeping them happy for, but you don't want to compromise your principles because he doesn't want to buy £12:00 worth of cleats. For the sake of £12:00 on such an exposed run I'd buy them myself.

That way you keep in with him for the contract, and anyone seeing the installation is more likely to give you work in the future. In other words, £12:00 for an advert is cheap.

 

[malcolmsanford]

TBH I think you answered the question for yourself. A 12 month contract is well worth keeping them happy for, but you don't want to compromise your principles because he doesn't want to buy £12:00 worth of cleats. For the sake of £12:00 on such an exposed run I'd buy them myself.

That way you keep in with him for the contract, and anyone seeing the installation is more likely to give you work in the future. In other words, £12:00 for an advert is cheap.

Totally disagree with that I'm afraid. If the engineer/manager/forman/whoever as told you he wants it done by tie wrapping to an existing SWA and you go out, buy cleats and do it totally different to what he wants, that is really going to make you his best friend. You have managed to undermine him. show him up and basically tell him you know better.

Just do the job as instructed, I would definately stand my ground if you thought that the extra weight of the bonding cable was deterimental to the SWA and could cuase it to become unattached to the wall, but if it is purely an aesthetic issue then you really have no say in it.

 

[millwall ken]

Ok so i'm currently working for an agency who have put me on this job which is quiet a good job with the prospect of a good 12 months work

found myself in a dilemma today though

We are upgrading the bonding, in fact introducing bonding cos there was none in this factory

But that is besides the point

The guy in charge of the job asked me to run a 95mm cable for bonding across the main face of one of the buildings, which is in full view of everyone

He asked me to cable tie this 95mm cable to an existing very large SWA cable

I was immediately not keen on this idea then when I planned the run I noticed that the SWA was not straight, it went up and down in places

Anyway I bit the bullet and did as he asked

After doing this I descended from the scissor lift and stood back disgusted at what I had just done

The fact that the green and yellow colour of the cable didnt help as it just accentuated every twist and turn of the poorly installed armour.

I then went back up the scissor lift and cut all of the cable ties off before going to see the guy and explaining that I was really not happy with the way the job was being done, not only did it make me look bad but also his representative company.

I further elaborated that just above the SWA was a wooden facing and a straight run which we could ping a line across and neatly tele cleat the cable, I told him I needed 60 cleats so advised him to buy 3 x bags of 25

He then told me that they hadnt priced for cleats or the extra time to put cleats in ( cleats £4 a bag ! )

He also stated that because it was 'day' work we had to just get the cable in pretty rapid and that he wouldnt think that cable tying along the SWA would look too bad.

I again stated that I wasnt happy, that I had worked hard at my trade, gained electrical qualifications and had a good rep for leaving a tidy job and that I was not happy with undermining this and dropping the standard of my work.

He said that he disageed with me again and that the cable would look ok

By this time its the end of the day and I am left pondering whether or not I should stand my ground on this or just follow instrucutions as I fear they might, because I'm agency, tell me to bugger off

What do you guys advise?

Is it your House? No? Then crack on with it - as long as you ain't being asked to contravene H&S or EAWR just do it. I understand your sentiment, but I'm sorry - You don't question something that you're told to do purely because you don't like how it looks.