Stand Tall and Deliver... as the title went, for a movie... So I stood tall and tried my damndest to deliver and I was instrumental in turning a company from being on the verge of being shut down into a two-million-dollar profit for the first year of my services.
Being a hazardous waste management facility, it meant that the company was constantly being audited by the EPA, the Department. Of Health, the DOT, the Fire Department, the Police Department, and being located on the water front also the Coast Guard. Yes, it was fun learning about all the paperwork and what money can do.
Most of the 'Boys' were well seasoned working along the water front and have been with the company on and off for most of their career life.
Some were new at what they were doing, but were willing and quick learners. I had to earn their respect the hard way, but I did not budge from any adversities in the line carrying out my duties; I was still a foreigner to most of them.
I had my friends and mentors and they looked after my safety and well-being; they covered my back against those who envied my position or had ill will towards me. Oddell was one of those gentlemen.
Some could not read or even write their names, but in the end, they were awarded certificates for safety training to be able to do their jobs. I treated all my men with love as though they were my family, and they felt this so much so that they refused to let me do any sweeping of cleaning up after I was raised to become the Yard Boss.
It was a downright dirty and messy work cleaning up UST, and before i was hired no one wore any safety gears. I made sure that they were well protected before they entered the tanks to clean, including the supply of air tanks whenever necessary.
Cleaning the isides of the vacuum trucks was part of the daily jobs and getting into these tanks was considered confined space entry which required close monitoring. Sludge that came out of these trucks was collected into a pit and later transferred for disposal.
When you enjoy taking pictures, you will find that you seldom appear in your pictures! Taken out of context or looked at at different times by someone else, the pictures become meaningless. So take pictures but try to be in it too as a point of reference.
Most of the 'Boys' were well seasoned working along the water front and have been with the company on and off for most of their career life.
Some were new at what they were doing, but were willing and quick learners. I had to earn their respect the hard way, but I did not budge from any adversities in the line carrying out my duties; I was still a foreigner to most of them.
I had my friends and mentors and they looked after my safety and well-being; they covered my back against those who envied my position or had ill will towards me. Oddell was one of those gentlemen.
Some could not read or even write their names, but in the end, they were awarded certificates for safety training to be able to do their jobs. I treated all my men with love as though they were my family, and they felt this so much so that they refused to let me do any sweeping of cleaning up after I was raised to become the Yard Boss.
It was a downright dirty and messy work cleaning up UST, and before i was hired no one wore any safety gears. I made sure that they were well protected before they entered the tanks to clean, including the supply of air tanks whenever necessary.
Cleaning the isides of the vacuum trucks was part of the daily jobs and getting into these tanks was considered confined space entry which required close monitoring. Sludge that came out of these trucks was collected into a pit and later transferred for disposal.
When you enjoy taking pictures, you will find that you seldom appear in your pictures! Taken out of context or looked at at different times by someone else, the pictures become meaningless. So take pictures but try to be in it too as a point of reference.
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