A demanding job for city workers
Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 12/01) - Work in wet, cold, or muddy conditions demands the right gear, according to an expert on the subject.
"You can buy some cheap winter gear, but you're wasting your time," said Brian Cole, who has worked with the public works department for the City of Yellowknife for 11 years.
"You're wasting your money because you're always going to be freezing out there and it's no fun when you're freezing."
The few extra minutes it takes to prepare from head-to-toe pays off during the course of his day, which normally runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A pair of regular socks covered by a pair thick woolen socks is where it all begins.
Then, a fleece shirt, a pair of track pants for flexibility and occasionally a pair of long-johns prepares him for the outerlayers.
To complete the outfit, either a pair of Tough Duck or Helly Hansen coveralls or jackets are what Cole and his co-workers rely on for warmth.
Cole prefers to top-off his outfit with a neck warmer. His fingers are kept warm by work gloves supplied by the city.
For safety, a pair of steel-toed boots (winterized) and a hard-hat (lined) are a must on the job fixing a water break.
The entire suit of cold climate armor weighs around 10 pounds. When he did water meter checks, he topped off the outfit with a fur hat.
Although water line breaks have been less frequent in the past 10 years, it still happens and Cole makes sure he has extra pairs of socks and boot liners to take on the road.
He also has a second outfit ready for the next work day.
"Water is not fun to deal with when it's 35 below," he said, and repairing a line break can require up to two days.
"You get wet, muddy, especially when your down at the break, you've got water flying all over the place.
"But, if your getting really cold, there's always a vehicle there for you to warm up in."
A regular work day involves checking the water temperatures and pressure within selected manholes. The checks take 10 to 20 minutes.
His job helps the city save heating cost at the city's Pump House No. 1 boiler.
Just before Christmas, Yellowknife city council was asked to consider privatizing the public works department as a cost-saving measure.
The idea caused concern among workers who feared layoffs might result, but Cole thinks they will always have jobs.
"In the long run they (employers) will hire them back because they know they really need them," said Cole.
For now, Cole's mission is to keep the water and sewer flowing while keeping himself warm.
"The warmer your body is, the less chances your fingers and your toes are going to get cold."
