|
|
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
Most residents of northeast Illinois are familiar with the banks of the Chicago River. Union Carpenters known as "Pile Drivers" installed the steel that stabilizes the river's bank. Pile Drivers and Dock Builders are elite carpenters.
A pile driver can be described as someone who works in heavy construction involving specific skills in the areas of pile driving knowledge and rough carpentry, cutting, and welding. The work itself is very physically demanding.
Pile drivers and dock builders construct, install, repair and remove deep piles and foundations. They create retaining walls for bridge construction, tunnels and bulkheads. They help build bridges and docks. Pile drivers can work off shore on barges, tugs or other floating stations.
Pile drivers and dock builders work closely with operating engineers. These operators run the large cranes used to lift the heavy piles into place as well as the huge hammers used to drive the piles into the ground.
Pile driver apprentices need good math skills and will learn to interpret engineering specifications. Pile driver apprentices have classes in welding, cutting (oxy/acetylene), rigging, blue print reading, and lay out.
The primary tools of the pile driver (sometimes called "pilebutts") are the sledgehammer, and the can hook which is used to position material for installation. Other tools that may be used consists of magnetic drills, impact wrenches, hydraulic jacks, chain saws and axes.
Pile driver apprentices learn about pile driving machinery and equipment. Equipment like diesel hammers, hydraulic impact hammers and hydraulic vibratory drivers/extractors. This equipment is used to place materials like steel pipe piles, caissons, H-beams, I-beams, timber piles, or steel, vinyl and aluminum sheet piles into the ground.
Union pile driver apprentices also learn crane safety, crane signaling (visual and remote) and environmental regulations pertaining to their work. Knowledge of form systems and bridge construction are essential to complete the training along with American Welding Society welder qualifications to graduate to journeyman status.
Mobility is important to the pile driver. The Chicago pile driver has a broad area to cover. This includes the Lake Michigan shoreline from the Wisconsin border to the state of Michigan, ten counties in Illinois, and three counties in Indiana.
With on the job training a pile driver apprentice will acquire the theory and practical knowledge that is necessary to be successful in the pile driver carpentry trade. The rewards of Union apprenticeship training are the good wages and benefits you receive as a union member of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
|
|
