Skilled Trade Workers in High Demand

The construction industry is showing signs of recovery, but there is some bad news: growth is being held back by a severe labor shortage.  After so many construction jobs were shed when the recession hit, one would think there would be plenty of skilled workers clamoring for the many positions that are currently vacant, but the fact is there are not.  Contractors are struggling to fill jobs, and the situation is only expected to get worse, for a number of reasons.

When the economic downturn occurred, hundreds of thousands of construction workers were laid off. Many found it necessary to change career paths or retire.  To further exacerbate the situation, fewer and fewer high school graduates are pursuing careers in construction.  Parents and school systems overwhelmingly push students to attend four-year colleges and technical schools rather than skilled trade apprenticeships and training programs.  As a result, construction jobs have earned a false and undeserved stigma as a “lowly” pursuit.  And as workers of the baby boom generation continue to retire in high numbers (construction is dominated by workers over the age of 40), there are not enough young workers to fill the vacancies. 

With so many satisfying, challenging, interesting, financially-rewarding construction jobs available and an ever-increasing demand for workers, why do school systems continue to steer students away from skilled trades?  While interest in construction declines and the industry goes begging for workers, the job market is becoming oversaturated with college graduates who have little hope of obtaining a job in their career of choice.  It is time for parents, students, and schools to expand their thinking and recognize the rewards of pursuing a career in the construction industry. 

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is a premier specialized contractor, and over the last 78 years we have employed hundreds of highly skilled riggers, millwrights, crane operators, heavy equipment operators and demolition workers who would attest to satisfaction in their chosen careers. Apprenticeship programs combine classroom learning and hands-on instruction with on-the-job training at a fraction of the cost of a four year college program.  Many of today’s trades call for high-tech skills and training and demand higher pay.  In today’s job market, a skilled trade career offers increased job security and can be highly fulfilling, both personally and financially. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards). R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million. Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery.

Demolition, wrecking and razing, rigging, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business / SDVOSB, salvage, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and machinery moving, building demolition, riggers, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, interior demolition, investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Web: http://www.rbaker.com

79th Investment Recovery Seminar & Trade Show

Join R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services at the 79th Investment Recovery Seminar & Trade Show, March 24-27, 2013, in Memphis, Tennessee.
 
R. Baker & Son will be an exhibitor on March 24, 25 and 26.  The four-day educational and networking event will feature almost two dozen seminars, workshops, and industry working groups, plus two days of extended networking opportunities in the investment recovery industry’s only trade show.  Register now – deadline is Monday, 3/18/13, at 5:30 p.m.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) in business since 1935, is a premier specialized contractor operating in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with over one hundred employees and an exemplary safety record (we have been directly involved in four sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards).  R. Baker & Son is financially strong, with bonding capabilities over $10 million.  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery- and plant-moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, selective demolition, warehousing, wrecking and razing, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, salvage, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, and investment and asset recovery..

Demolition, wrecking and razing, rigging, millwright, plant reconfigurations, heavy rigging, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business  / SDVOSB, salvage, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and machinery moving, building demolition, riggers, environmental services, remediation, decontamination, abatement, interior demolition, investment and asset recovery.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Web: http://www.rbaker.com

OSHA Safeguarding Workers for Over Forty Years

On December 29, 1970, President Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act into law, and OSHA was created.  OSHA’s mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities through enforcement of their standards for workplace safety and health. 

At first, OSHA standards were viewed as burdensome and regulators were met with considerable resistance.  But with time, OSHA has greatly improved, and today most businesses are readily compliant.  In the 42 years since OSHA was established, vast improvements have been made in workplace safety.  While U.S. employment has doubled from 56 million workers to 115 million workers since 1971, workplace fatalities have been reduced by 62%, and occupational injuries and illnesses have dropped 40%.

 

At R. Baker & Son, workplace safety is our number one priority and we are 100% compliant with OSHA standards at all times.  All of our personnel, from top management through field staff, are thoroughly and continuously trained in safety procedures and regulations.  As a result, our safety performance continually far-exceeds requirements and industry averages.  R. Baker & Son maintains an award winning team of in-house full time safety and project managers, all of whom have a minimum of 20 years industry experience. Project managers, foremen and field personnel are 40 to 60-hours OSHA and Hazmat trained and certified. Additional training and certifications include but are not limited to; aerial lift, fork lift, crane, heavy equipment, confined space entry, respiratory protection, emergency response, first aid and CPR.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Web: http://www.rbaker.com/home.php

R. Baker & Son: Oxy –Acetylene Cutting Torch Fundamentals

Oxy-fuel cutting is a process in which a combination of fuel gases and oxygen is used to cut metals with a torch.  While there are a number of fuels that can be used for torch cutting in combination with oxygen, including propane, gasoline, and propylene, the most common is acetylene.  The oxy-acetylene torch is a tool that is frequently used for selective demolition by R. Baker & Son.

Acetylene is a compound of hydrogen and carbon that has a burning temperature of 4,600 F.  When combined with oxygen, acetylene burns at 5,700-5,800 F.  Contrary to popular belief, oxygen itself is not flammable.  It is, rather, an accelerant; its presence causes materials to burn hotter and faster.  Another common misconception is that oxy-acetylene torches work by simply melting through steel. In fact, oxygen and acetylene are used to preheat the metal to its kindling temperature, at which point a stream of pure oxygen is introduced that burns the heated metal into oxide and blows it from the cut.  Oxy-acetylene torches are used for low-carbon, or mild, steel, which easily oxidize at oxy-acetylene’s burning temperature.  An oxy-acetylene torch can cut mild steel up to 12 inches thick.

An oxy-acetylene apparatus consists of two cylinders (oxygen and acetylene), each equipped with a regulator, pressure gauge, and a length of hose, and each hose is attached a torch. The angled cutting head is comprised of a central high-pressure oxygen jet surrounded by holes through which oxygen and acetylene pass to provide preheating flames.  The oxygen jet is controlled by a trigger or lever. 
To cut with an oxy-acetylene torch, the cutting head is held at a 90 degree angle to the cutting surface; using preheat jets only, the metal is heated to a dull cherry red.  Oxygen from the center jet is then triggered, instantly burning and oxidizing the iron.  As the torch is moved steadily along to produce the cut, a shower of sparks is ejected from the opposite side.  At this point, preheat jets are there purely to assist the oxidation process, and cutting proceeds at a surprisingly fast rate. 

There are numerous safety precautions that must be followed when working with an oxy-acetylene torch.  Gas cylinders must be handled properly, work areas must be properly prepared and safeguarded, and workers must be thoroughly trained.   Personal protective equipment must be worn at all times to prevent burn injuries, and special eyewear is particularly important to protect against glare and sparks while reducing the bright yellow-orange flare that oxy-acetylene cutting produces. 

Planning and preparation of the work area are important when cutting with an oxy-acetylene torch during select demolition.  Flammable materials should be removed when possible, surfaces should be shielded with welding blankets or other fire resistant guards or partitions, the area must be properly ventilated, fire extinguishing equipment should be readily available, and a fire watch must be established, among other appropriate safety procedures.  On demolition projects, careful planning is required to ensure that objects are structurally supported as cutting progresses, and sections can be removed and disposed of safely and without difficulty.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.


R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Web: http://rbaker.com/home.php

R. Baker & Son: Air Casters Provide Simple Rigging Solutions

Air Casters Provide Simple Rigging Solutions

Air caster rigging systems, also known as air skates, use a continuously flowing thin layer of air to float heavy loads across smooth surfaces, similar to the operation of a hovercraft.  Unlike wheels, air casters are omni-directional and nearly frictionless, and just one to five pounds of force is required to move 1,000 lbs. of load.  This allows one person or a small crew to move thousands of pounds with minimal effort, complete control, and no floor damage.  Standard air caster rigging systems can handle loads weighing up to 100 tons.
 
R. Baker & Son frequently uses air casters for rigging large equipment where smooth, non-porous floors are present, such as in plant relocation projects.  Several low-profile modules are placed at strategic support points beneath a load to evenly distribute the weight.  Compressed air lifts the load and allows easy movement and precise positioning, even in confined spaces.  If floors are not completely smooth (cracks or expansion joints, etc.) or loads are being moved over transitional areas, overlay materials can be used to create an even surface. 

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition, demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Website: http://www.rbaker.com/home.php

Call 811 Before You Dig

In March 1994, a 36-inch natural gas pipeline ruptured and exploded near the Durham Woods apartment complex in Edison, New Jersey, sending a massive fireball 500 feet into the air and lighting the night sky for miles around.  Eight apartment buildings were destroyed, over a hundred people were left homeless, and scores were injured.

An investigation by the NTSB determined that the blast was caused by earlier damage from excavation equipment that had gouged and weakened the pipe.  As a result of these findings, New Jersey passed a law requiring all property owners and contractors to call a “Once Call” telephone hotline prior to any digging to have all underground utilities located and precisely marked.  By 1996, the One Call system had become national practice, and in 2005, the FCC established 8-1-1 as the nationwide number to call for all local utility location services.

Though damage to underground utilities is seldom as catastrophic as the Edison gas explosion, it can seriously disrupt vital services, cause property damage and injury, and result in costly repairs, fines and project delays.  A few days before any digging project, large or small, contractors or property owners are legally required to place a call to 8-1-1.  The One Call center will notify local utility companies to dispatch locators to mark out underground utilities with paint, flags, and stakes.  Different utilities are color-coded – red for electricity, yellow for gas, orange for communications, blue for water, green for sewer, etc.

 
Because One Call utility locators only mark lines leading to meters, contractors must also examine accurate as-built drawings and confer with facility owners prior to digging in order to precisely identify, locate and mark private underground utilities using the color code system.  Sites should also be carefully inspected for other telltale signs of unknown buried utilities or hazards that might exist.  These markings must be carefully preserved, and contractors must follow strict regulations and procedures when digging in close proximity to underground utilities.
 
When digging, an error of just a few inches can spell disaster.  So whether you are a homeowner installing a mailbox or a contractor breaking ground for a large facility, remember to call 8-1-1 before digging and mark out underground utilities.  It’s the law.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Web: http://www.rbaker.com

R. BAKER & SON: TRICKY JOB WITH A VERY AGGRESSIVE SCHEDULE

R. Baker & Son was contracted by a pharmaceuticals firm to perform selective demolition in their central utility plant.  The company was slated to bring an innovative new drug to market, and it was especially critical that research and development went undisrupted.
 
The central utility plant supported many of the facility’s operations with compressed air, chilled water, steam, nitrogen and DI water. The project required much of the old equipment to be removed and replaced by new equipment.  This necessitated that crew members remove old housekeeping pads with jackhammers and saw-cut new drains into concrete.  With adjacent R&D laboratories lining two walls of the CUP and a vivarium not far away, R. Baker & Son developed a detailed schedule in coordination with facility owners to suppress dust and minimize noise, and vibration.

 
Selective demolition and dismantling took place as a precise, step-by-step process. System piping and other equipment were carefully traced, identified, and marked for appropriate disposition. Hazardous substances and materials, including refrigerants and lead paint, were carefully removed and abated, and proper lockout / tagout procedures were followed.
   
To complicate the already-challenging project, the pharmaceuticals firm moved the completion date up by three months due to increased urgency in bringing the new product to market.  The project kicked into an even higher gear and shifts were added in order to complete the project on time.

R. Baker & Son developed a detailed Rigging and Routing plan when it came time to move new equipment into the facility.  After double-verifying weights and dimensions, team members determined how and when to move the equipment, and through which access points.  Many pieces of equipment required careful disassembly in order to maneuver it into the building. In some instances, new equipment was installed in the midst of demolition.

As new equipment was rigged, installed, and readied to be brought online alongside existing equipment, crews went over a detailed checklist to ensure a smooth transition from old equipment to new.  This was done without system interruption whenever possible, but when unavoidable, the work generally took place when the facility was unoccupied and details were meticulously planned and scheduled with owners.
Once the new systems were up and running, Baker crews concentrated on cleanup and punch list items.  When all was said and done, the new central utility plant equipment was seamlessly integrated, and the project was successfully completed on time.  Owners were so pleased with the outcome they treated everyone involved to a catered luncheon.

About R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (We have been directly involved in four (4) sites that received VPP OSHA Safety Awards) and is financially strong (bonding capabilities over $10 Million).  Capabilities include industrial and commercial demolition, rigging, machinery & plant moving, dismantling, decommissioning, plant and equipment relocation, interior demolition, wrecking, selective demolition , demolition contractors in NJ and warehousing.

R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services
1 Globe Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: 732-222-3553
Fax: 732-450-0311
Web: http://www.rbaker.com