Oman: Construction Work Permits Suspended Starting September  MEP Middle East

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Oman: Construction Work Permits Suspended Starting September - MEP Middle East

Oman: Work permits suspended for these construction jobs  Construction Week Online

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Oman: Work permits suspended for these construction jobs - Construction Week Online

 

Miami is an excellent place to call home, notes Simply Showing. However, if your home doesn't meet your needs, it may not feel like a glorious place to live. But you can take steps to make your home accommodate your needs, including those presented below by Home Builder Developer.

Convert That Spare Space

If you have a guest bedroom or an unfinished room downstairs, convert that area into the space you need, such as a playroom, an office, an entertainment area, or a yoga or reading space.

Consider designating half of the room to your home office, and use the rest of the room as a den for reading, complete with an adult-sized bean bag chair. On the other hand, you may want to convert the other part of the room into a playroom for your kids.

Here’s a nice bonus: If you make extensive renovations to your home during this process, be sure to keep accurate notes and save those receipts. Some of these changes may actually help increase how much your home is worth on the housing market.

Try Decluttering

You may find extra space in your home if you declutter. Then you can use that newfound room for any purpose. What’s more, decluttering is a great way to rid your home of stress and distraction, and goes a long way toward making your living space a more comfortable and inviting place to be.

Apartment Therapy suggests decluttering area by area. As you donate or throw away items, you can see the impact it has on that space. It may trigger you to continue to declutter the rest of your home, making even more space to do with as you please.

Give the Exterior of Your Home Some Love

The facade is the first impression your home makes. Maybe it's not fair, but it's just how humans are wired. Whether you're trying to sell your home or just want to maintain its curb appeal, it's important to keep the facade clean. Facade cleaning can be a big job, but there are several benefits that make it worth your while. First, a clean facade makes your home look well-maintained and cared for. This can help increase its value if you ever decide to sell. Second, it can help you avoid costly repairs by removing dirt, grime, and other debris that can cause damage over time. Finally, it's a great way to improve your home's curb appeal and make it more inviting for guests.

Use Shelving to Your Advantage

Whether you want to create your dream office, an entertainment space, a playroom, or a combination of all of these, use shelving to your benefit. When you have shelves in an office, entertainment space, or children's playroom, random items can be out of sight and out of mind. Plus, all the items in the room have designated locations, so you have an easier time keeping them organized, and you can use that space as a multipurpose room effortlessly.

Consider Refinishing Current Pieces

Do you have a crib that your child outgrew or a table you no longer use? Maybe you have a china cabinet that's sitting in your basement serving no purpose. You can repurpose any of these items to make them more practical for your needs.

For instance, you can convert a crib into a desk for your child. With a bit of work, that table can become a desk for your home office. The china cabinet can become a storage space for your children's toys or a showpiece for when you entertain.

Special Considerations for Your Home Office

If you're optimizing your space for a home office, keep the minimalist design concept in mind. With this style, you create a beautiful room with as few items as possible. Essentially, you limit items to avoid potential distractions to better manage your time. Other ways to maximize your time include getting organized and avoiding big time-wasters like getting on Facebook, surfing the web, and taking unnecessary calls.

Think About Buying or Renting a New Home

If nothing you do gets you closer to the office, playroom, or calming or entertainment space you desire, consider searching for a new home to purchase or rent. You can use the tips above to optimize that space.

Turn Your Space Into What You Need

You can turn a home that's inadequate for your needs into your dream home by keeping in mind a few simple tips — just don’t forget to make note of those changes in case you want to sell at some point down the road! On the other hand, it may be time to look for a new home that better suits your needs.

Back in 2003, Electrical Contractor magazine wrote about an impending electrician shortage, warning that it was too late to avoid it.

Now, almost 20 years later, its clear they were right. Employers have struggled to fill electrician positions for years long before national labor shortages made headlines this past year.

But whats causing the electrician shortage, and whats changed with the COVID-19 pandemic? As we enter 2022, heres an overview of the current state of the electrician shortage and what the future may hold.

Like many economic issues, the electrician shortage is the result of a mismatch between supply and demand.

On the supply side, not enough younger electricians are entering the industry as experienced electricians are retiring. On the demand side, more electricians will be needed to meet the ever-increasing electricity needs of our nation.

From a big-picture perspective, there are three main causes behind the electrician shortage.

The first cause behind the electrician shortage is experienced electricians leaving the industry. While many of these retirements are part of the normal cycle of employment, some are premature departures.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated retirement timelines for Baby Boomers across all industries. Pew Research reported that the percent of retired people over age 55 increased in both 2020 and 2021.

On the bright side, the trend of early retirement may not last. In all age groups over age 55, the BLS projects that more people will be working in 2030 than in 2020.

However, this doesnt completely solve the problem. All Baby Boomers will be age 65 or older by 2030. Since Baby Boomers represent such a large portion of the population, their absence from the workforce will be felt more deeply than previous generations.

Electricians leaving the industry wouldnt be an issue if new electricians were rising up to replace them. Unfortunately, they arent.

One potential reason for this change is that younger generations arent as interested in skilled labor. Only 16.7% of high school and college students say they want to work in construction compared to 76.5% who want to work in technology.

Instead of attending a trade school or finding an apprenticeship, young adults are enrolling in two- or four-year colleges and universities. Members of Gen Z, the generation behind Millennials thats now entering the workforce, are more likely to enroll in college than any previous generation.

Gen Z workers also value flexible hours and remote work, and those accommodations arent always possible on tight job site schedules.

The pandemic had an interesting effect on students career ambitions, however. In a survey published in February 2021, 25 percent of Gen Z teenagers said they were more likely to attend a career and technical education school due to their experience with COVID-19.

But striking an equilibrium between retirements and new hires isnt the answer, either. We need more new electricians than the number that are leaving.

Electrical work is a growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrician jobs are expected to grow by 9.1% from 2020 to 2030. This is higher than the 7.7% growth rate projected for all occupations.

The increase in demand is largely driven by an increase in devices, buildings and vehicles that rely on electricity. From 2021 to 2022 alone, total electricity consumption in the U.S. is expected to grow by 1.4%.

People are using more electricity than before, and more electricians are needed to install and maintain these electrical systems.

Not all industries are experiencing the electrician shortage in the same way. While overall demand for electricians is on the rise, some industries are growing more than others.

The construction industry employs the most electricians at about 516,600. That number is expected to grow by 9.9% between 2020 and 2030. Electrician employment in the utility industry, on the other hand, is expected shrink by 4.1%.

With these numbers, its important to note that the differences between current and projected electrician employment are not representative of a shortage.

In making projections, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics always assumes that the supply of electricians will meet the demand. The above numbers estimate the future demand for electricians among various industries. They dont make predictions about the supply side of the equation.

Except for utilities and a few smaller industries, well see more electrician jobs added over the next 10 years. However, the complex nature of the COVID-19 pandemic means the numbers above dont tell the whole story about the electrician shortage.

The most recent BLS projections were released in September 2021 and are based on the year 2020. This makes data interpretation tricky. As we all know, 2020 wasnt a typical year by any measure.

Nationwide employment plummeted in March and April 2020. While jobs rebounded faster than expected, they hadnt fully recovered by the end of 2020. Nearly 10,000 less electricians were working at the end of 2020 compared to the previous year.

This means that a large portion of the expected growth over the next 10 years will be devoted to replacing the jobs we lost during the pandemic. In fact, when you exclude estimated increases due to pandemic recovery, the projected growth rate for all occupations drops from 7.7% to 1.7%.

In 2020, the 10-year growth rate for electrician jobs increased from 8.4% to 9.1%. The future seems crystal clear: Demand for electricians is only going up.

No one can deny that the field is growing, but when we look at pre-pandemic data, the picture gets fuzzier. Projections based on 2019 data estimated 801,400 electricians in 2029. If that growth rate had continued, the estimate for 2030 would be near 808,000 electricians.

Yet in the most recent report, the projection was only 795,700 electricians for 2030. Why did that number fall?

According to the BLS, Demand is the key determinant in explaining future jobs. So, while we dont know the exact reason, we know the pandemic impacted demand for electricians somehow.

The change was slight demand for electricians is still growing, after all but its enough to make you wonder how the pandemic may be changing the electrician shortage forever.

No matter what the future holds, the electrician shortage isnt going anywhere soon. Here are a few things you can do to cope with the repercussions:

While skilled labor shortages are an enormous problem, acting in these ways can help you reduce their impact on your business.

Read more:

Why You Cant Afford Not to Use Parallel Wire Reels

How Renewable Energy is Shaping the Job Outlook for Electric Utilities and Contractors

This article was originally published on April 13, 2021. It was updated and republished on January 4, 2022.

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The State of the Electrician Shortage in 2022: New Data on the Impact ...

To work in the electrical construction trade in Washington, you must have a valid electrician certificate issued by L&I.

The electrical construction trade includes, but is not limited to, installing and maintaining:

All electricians must meet the experience and training requirements to qualify for examination. There are two levels of certification for electricians: general journey-level and specialty electricians. Each has different qualification requirements.

A general journey level electrician (EL01) is certified to work in commercial/industrial and all specialty electrical categories.

In general, Oregon reciprocal licenses are available to those who obtained Washington (01) general journey level electrician certificates after completing 8000-hour Apprenticeships requiring at least 576 classroom hours of education and passing Washington exams. Anyone having a master (01) general journey level electrician certificate is also eligible. If this does not describe you, you are not eligible.

For Washington licensing verification, mail your Oregon Reciprocal License Verification Form along with a completed Request for Electrical Licensing Verification (F500-128-000) and fee of $27.90 to the address shown in the top left corner of the request form. We will fill out your verification form and mail it back to you. Mail is the only option, do not send anything by email or fax.

Washington reciprocal certificates are generally available to those electricians who obtained their Oregon general journeyman electrician (J) licenses after completing 8,000-hour Apprenticeships requiring at least 576 classroom hours of education and passing Oregon exams. Anyone having an Oregon General Supervising Electrician (S) license obtained by Oregon examination is also eligible.

If this describes you, and you have never held a Washington (01) general journey level electrician certificate before, or failed to pass an exam for one in the last two years, and you are not otherwise disqualified by conditions in WAC 296-46B-942(20), you are likely eligible.

For licensing verification from Oregon, submit Part C of the Washington reciprocal application to Oregon as follows:

By mail:

Department of Consumer and Business ServicesBuilding Codes DivisionPO Box 14470 Salem, OR 97309

By fax: 503-378-2322

Oregon charges no fee to process verification requests. Once completed, the original form will be returned by mail if you do not provide instructions requesting it be returned by fax and a fax number to send it to. Please direct questions about Oregon licensing verification to: license.bcd@oregon.gov.

No other reciprocal agreements exist.

There are 14 specialty categories in the electrical construction trade, each with a specific scope of work. Depending on the specialty, there are different experience and training requirements.

The following specialties require at least 4,000 hours of work experience in a selected specialty as an electrical trainee. Trainees must be supervised by an electrician certified in the same specialty or a by journey level electrician, be supervised a minimum of 75% of the time, and complete 48 hours of basic classroom instruction.

The following specialties require at least 2,000 hours of work experience in a selected specialty as an electrical trainee. Trainees must be supervised by an electrician certified in the same specialty or a by journey level electrician, be supervised 100% of the time, and complete 24 hours of basic classroom instruction.

Depending on the date you pass the examination and your birthdate, your initial certification will be good for a minimum of 25 months up to a maximum of 36 months for journey level or specialty electricians.

Learn how you may qualify see the flowchart on this form: Out-of-State Application for Electrical Examination (F626-009-000).

Determine where you fit best. If you are not a 01 general journey level candidate, see if specialty work scopes in Chapter 296-46B-920 WAC match your experience. Apply accordingly.

Include documentation with your application proving you meet the requirements for experience and education referenced in the flowchart.

Mail everything to the address on the form in a single envelope. Include the application fee see form. There are no online payment or submission options.

Do not email anything. Use our Verify tool to keep track of your status.

Before you apply, complete your hours of approved electrical basic trainee classes 96 for (01) exams, 48 for 4000 hour specialties.

Use our Verify tool to confirm that you have enough hours of work experience on record to qualify for examination. When you do, apply online.

If you are sending affidavits at the time of application, submit them along with an In-State Application for Electrical Examination (F626-001-000) form.

Mail everything to the address on the form in a single envelope. Include application fees see forms. Use certified mail if you want to track receipt. There are no online payment or submission options.

Do not email anything. Use our Verify tool to keep track of your status.

The road to examination for 2000 hour specialties requires documenting hours of work experience while supervised by an electrician 100 percent of the time.

Learn about experience requirements and how to qualify for examination: Application for a 0% Supervision Modified Electrical Training Certificate & Specialty Examination (F500-097-000).

Mail everything to the address on the form in a single envelope. Include the application fees see forms. There are no online payment or online submission options available.

After you pass your exam, we will send you a nonrenewable 0% supervision modified training certificate that allows you to work without supervision in the specialty you applied for until it expires.

Complete 24 hours of hours of approved electrical basic trainee classes. Submit an Application for a 2000 Hour Specialty Certificate (F500-098-000) when you have 2000 hours of experience.

After we record your hours, we will mail your certificate to you.

Do not email anything. Use our Verify tool to keep track of your status.

You must renew your electrician certificate every 3 years. It expires on your birthdate. Renewal fees double after expiration. Not renewable if expired more than 90 days; retest is your only option.

To change your address or renew online, you will need the following:

Fees are payable by credit/debit card or electronic check.

Before you renew, make sure you're eligible:

When not working in Washington, you can pay your renewal fee without completing education requirements. This places your certificate into inactive status until you meet education requirements or expire.

Having trouble? Contact us at ElectricalProgram@Lni.wa.gov. Please provide your certificate number and let us know what you are experiencing.

Mail a renewal letter to you that acts as your certificate for 30 days. Your card should arrive in about 30 days. Nothing will arrive if you do not have your address up to date.

Changing your address? Make sure to change it on every license or certificate you hold.

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Electrician - Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

Two more subcontractors face fines for violating federal workplace safety laws in connection to the February explosion of an Aspen area home that was under construction.

A plumbing, heating and cooling company in Glenwood Springs has agreed to pay $30,000 in penalties to the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration. And a Gypsum firm that specializes in VAC, electrical, water heating, and automation services faces $10,773 in fines, according to public records.

It was reported last week that two the projects general contractor and subcontractor had agreed to pay separate fine totals of $27,000 and $40,000.

The combined fines levied against all four companies now amount to $107,773.

Four workers on the project site, 173 Slalom Path Road, were hospitalized from the Feb. 3 explosion. Ambulance personnel had to remove one worker with leg injuries from the kitchen area inside the collapsed home, according to an investigation report. Four others were treated on the scene for less serious injuries. Close to 30 workers were on the site.

Investigating agencies included Aspen Fire Protection District; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control; and OSHA.

An investigation led by Benjamin Smith, deputy fire marshal for the Aspen Fire Department, concluded the explosion was accidental and originated in the homes crawl space where natural gas had built up. The explosion resulted in damage to windows, doors, flooring, and both interior and exterior walls.

The release of natural gas into the confined space below the kitchen reached the explosive range, said Smiths investigation report.

The two-level, 8,250-square-foot single-family home was one of three luxury homes under construction on Slalom Path. The homes designs called for a media lounge, wine storage, a gym, a mudroom, a powder room, a sculpture garden and other features.

Based on the systematic fire scene examination, analysis of witness statements, fire and heat patterns, explosion effects and the application of fire / explosion dynamics, it was the unanimous opinion of the fire investigators that the fuel-air explosion originated in the south crawlspace, located adjacent to the gym and underneath the kitchen and family room, according to an investigation report from the ATF.

A plumber and electrician were in the crawl space when the explosion occurred. The plumber said he saw a flame emanate from a switch or switch plate after the electrician touched it.

The plumber told investigators the electrician was in the same room with me. All pumps in mechanical room were on. As soon as (the electrician) turned the switch off to one of the pumps I saw a flame coming from the switch he touched that caused the explosion. We were pushed back by the pressure. I was able to exit the room through the existing access facing the basement gym. As drywall was collapsing (the electrician) and I made our way out from the basement as we were screaming for everyone to get out, thats when I noticed he was bleeding from his hand. We proceeded to exit the building. I borrowed a crescent wrench from one of the workers to shut off the gas at the meter.

The investigations could not conclusively determine the cause of the ignition.

The plumber describes bleeding the gas line in the confined space as he was trying to attach the gas lines to the boilers and furnaces, the ATF report said. The combination of the natural gas atmosphere and an ignition source resulted in the explosion. The gas line valve in the basement is observed to be fully open, indicating that the gas could have been flowing. The exact ignition source cannot be proven.

Smiths report drew a similar conclusion: An unidentified ignition source came in contact with the natural gas. The air fuel mixture resulted in the explosion. It is the opinion of Aspen Fire Protection District and Deputy Fire Marshal Smith that the explosion was not suspicious.

The fined parties were cited for or violating OHSA regulations related to workers entering confined areas, like a crawl space; not having an employee evaluate the crawl space for any potential hazards; not communicating about the required permit space program; or not having properly trained employees on the site.

The general contractor, Basalt-based Brikor Associates, agreed to pay five separate fines of $8,000. Carbondale-based R&A Enterprises agreed to pay three separate fines of $9,000 to OSHA as part of an informal settlement agreement. Young Services LLC accepted five penalties totaling $30,000; and Gypsum-based Skyline Mechanical Inc. has two fine amounts pending in the amount of $10,773.

The home was owned by RBR 4 LLC and insured by Cincinnati Insurance, according to the investigation reports.

rcarroll@aspentimes.com

Read more here:
OSHA fines over winter home explosion top six figures - The Aspen Times

Building or renovating your home? What an exciting time: it's that rare opportunity to really think about how you like to live and what you need from a space.

Of course, you can choose flooring, think about appliances, the colours you love, etc - but one area that has a huge impact on both design impressions and quality of living, but is often overlooked in the early stages, is electrical design.

Whether you're a typical aesthete, with countless home inspiration Pinterest boards and a love for interiors; or someone who wants their home to perform - to be liveable, smart, and a good investment - speaking to your electrician early will pay serious dividends, in terms of both the finished project and your ease of living in the home.

Homes are becoming smarter by the day, and there are now a huge range of electricinnovations that are about enhancing living. A good electrician can speak to you about your needs, dreams and aspirations, and suggest solutions that will help your home come alive.

SUPPLIED

Bad lighting ruins good design, so if this is top of mind, electrical should be too.

Robert Knight, Residential Electric Design Consultant at PDL by Schneider Electric, says that in the past, homeowners tended to approach the electrical considerations of their home as a kind of afterthought, instead of thinking about it early in the process and as part of the grand scheme.

"By the time some people get to the electrical, they've used up much of their budget and are forced to make critical sacrifices, which means their home doesn't operate as well as it could. We hear it time and time again, people wishing they put in more power points, or thought about their lighting plan earlier on. It really impacts how much they can enjoy their day-to-day use of their home."

He says that simple aspects such as drawing up aplan with an electrician and installing enough power points can make a huge difference to the overall outcome of the build or renovation.

For starters, homes these days can contain literally dozens of devices, including phones, tablets and computers, so having ample USB chargers is a must.

SUPPLIED

A good electrician can speak to you about your needs, dreams and suggest solutions to help your home come alive.

Knight also notes that modern households rely on the convenience of wireless Wi-Fi in their everyday lives more than people often realise. However, not all devices arewireless, so it's wise to run data cabling whenever possible for bandwidth-heavy streaming and gaming, for example.

"Even fridges can be smart appliances these days, so plan to put a data cable behind yours."

He says fixtures such as heated towel rails chew up power if they're left on permanently, but now you can set them on timers and even control them from your phone (as you can with many other appliances). Keeping energy consumption at a minimum.

"Motion sensors are another useful feature, allowing you to move around your house safely as lights come on at night or when you open the pantry - or even your wardrobe." Another wonderful space for a motion sensor is the laundry - a space in which we often have our hands full.

SUPPLIED

Another wonderful space for a motion sensor is the laundry - a space in which we often have our hands full.

Knight has also noticed that Kiwis have a tendency to under-light their homes in a general sense, but he believes it's actually better to overdo the lighting in the first place, and then make it customisable so that you can dial it back using tools such as dimmers.

Bad lighting ruins good design, so if the latter is top of mind, electrical should be too: plan so that you can have lighting that complements and showcases the elements you're most proud of in your home, such as a special artwork or a feature staircase. You don't want your most beloved items to end up in the shadows.

Savvy designers should also consider the design and style of light switches and power points. PDL has ranges that include anodised aluminium, modern matte and fingerprint-resistant finishes, and in a variety of shades and styles. "You often see this beautiful kitchen with every element considered, except the look of power points, it completely changes the whole aesthetic. Homeowners often just don't know that there are switch and power point design choices out there that actually contributes to the overall design and feel of the space."

SUPPLIED

More people are getting online to research all the electrical options for their new build or renovation, and are showing an increased understanding of the benefits of thinking ahead about electrical.

Other key things to consider are security cameras, two-way switches in hallways or large rooms, outdoor power access to create alfresco spaces that are perfect for entertaining and remote access and control of a home.

Knight says that the most compelling reason for factoring in an electricalplan at the outset of a project is the fact that much of this groundwork is difficult to do retrospectively not to mention more expensive.

But he's pleased to note that more and more people are getting online to research all the electrical options for their new build or renovation, and are showing an increased understanding of the benefits of thinking ahead about electrical.

"Good electric home design adds value to your property and is something that will always pay off in the end, especially how much you enjoy just living in your home and it being suitable for your day to day needs."

PDL offers a comprehensive range ofelectrical solutions for seamless, stylish living on their website where you can discover more exciting possibilities for your home. Visit pdl.co.nz/homebodies

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Home design 101: why you need to think about electrical early in the process - Stuff

PEDESTRIAN.TV has teamed up with Blundstone to celebrate tradies.

We all know this world would be a dark place without tradies literally. They keep our lights on, our houses standing and our water flowing. Yet in return, the folks in fluoro seem to cop a lot of judgement from the rest of us.

Why is the world like this?!

Our mates at Blundstone know whats up though and have launched RotoFlex, a range of lightweight safety boots for men and women. Designed with all-new tech built to cushion, ventilate and control moisture, theyre made for next-gen tradies.

To celebrate, were giving five tradies the floor. Fellas from a range of trades are setting the record straight on some of the biggest misconceptions people have about them.

Lets dig in.

We often feel when we enter office spaces that those in a suit give us a certain look or simply perceive us as uneducated scum. From our point of view, this is so wrong because without us dumb tradies, those in suits would not be able to sit in their air-conditioned or fire-protected office space. Phillip, Sprinkler Fitter

Perhaps in the past, people had misconceptions about tradies, thinking they arent smart because they drop out of school, arent educated and have no skills. Which is completely incorrect. Being a tradie teaches you many great lessons which you can adopt in your everyday life, such as work ethic, structure, communication and problem-solving to name just a few. Will, Plumber

People often assume that you are from a low socioeconomic background and werent able to reach a higher education after high school. To become a top-level carpenter, you need to be switched on, have a great understanding of maths, quick problem-solving skills, and decisive delegation for tasks and the team youre presented with. Elijah, Carpenter

Being an electrician is not as physically demanding as some other trades but requires a higher level of thinking. Therefore being a tradie, especially an electrician, can often be mentally draining, rather than physical as you are constantly problem-solving throughout the day at work then, again, not switching off at night. James, Electrician.

People assume were there to rip you off and steal from you. With the prices of materials on the rise and the labour that goes into constructing something, people often dont understand the cost of getting a job done. This leads to people thinking youre trying to rip them off, when in reality, youre just trying to make a fair rate for yourself while giving the best product to your client. Transparency is your best friend here. Elijah

Being a tradie actually has great quality of life as it brings variety, allows you to work outside in the sun, you are part of a team, brings life skills such as problem-solving and youre not stuck behind a desk. It is more practical, active and hands on.

At school, there is a focus on getting a good ATAR to get into uni, only to come out earning $50,000 a year and having $100,000 HECS debt. On the other hand, tradies get paid while they study a four-year apprenticeship, with a $100,000 wage and zero HECS to pay. During school, kids arent made aware of the choice to become a tradie, or the major financial, physical and mental benefits. Instead, it is portrayed as the dumb or second option. Tom, Leading Hand Carpenter.

Every day on site we face different challenges and require problem-solving skills to ensure the job gets done. Im proud to be a tradie, and would much rather wake up and throw a fluoro on rather than having to iron my shirt and put a tie on every morning, Phillip

I also think that tradies are portrayed as grubs with the stereotype that everyone smokes during smoko. This is now inaccurate as most of our generation is actually quite health-conscious, exercising and eating well.

As a Plumber, people automatically assume that all we deal with is poo and blocked toilets when actually there are many different aspects I deal with week to week. Such as roof leaks from all the storms, water leaks from one unit to another, pipe relining due to cracked sewer pipes from tree roots and your general plumbing works and bathroom renovations. Will

As a small business owner, there is no such thing as nine to five. I think most people assume we start early, finish early, and [head] straight to the pub. We also do night shifts and most weekends! Looking back on the pandemic, most trades (if not all), continued to work. This in itself demonstrates not only that we are essential, but how trades of this kind keep the economy functioning. Phillip

A big misconception is that our job is easy. With reno shows like The Block and House Rules, a lot of people find themselves thinking that they can achieve whats on TV. In reality, it takes years of formal training and on-site experience to become a great carpenter. You need the knowledge, skills and physicality to get the job done five days a week. Elijah

I think the general biggest misconception about tradies is that females cant do trades or arent good at trades. There are many females in my company and it is becoming more and more common to see females on the worksite. Tom

And lets not forget, tradies get the ladies! Phillip

So, there you have it. If youve ever made a snarky judgement about a tradie, time to pipe down.

RotoFlex by Blundstone offers stability with the freedom to move. The range is available now, so you can suss out participating stores, here.

Read more:
Tradies Drill Down On What Peoples Biggest Misconceptions About Them Are So Time To Listen Up - Pedestrian.TV

LAKESIDE, Iowa Jenny Ahlers wants her younger brother Craig and her father Rick to be remembered for who they were and how they lived, not the fact that they died by suicide 12 years apart.

Craig Ahlers, 25, was a proud father who adored his baby daughter. He was independent, strong-willed and extremely competitive at darts, bowling and pool. He worked at feed mills and, later, Schoon Construction & Excavation in Cherokee.

"It didn't matter what he was doing, he was going to be the best at it," Ahlers said of her brother, whom she was very close with. The two even lived together for a time as adults. "He was always very driven in whatever he was into."

Rick Ahlers, 58, was just as determined as his son. He was an "amazing" electrician and handyman who could fix anything, according to Ahlers. "Papa Rick" added headlights and a horn to his grandchildren's Power Wheels and made Ahlers an automatic popup camper. Camping with his family in Spencer and Storm Lake was one of Rick's favorite pastimes.

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"He loved to help fix things for other people. It made him feel good," Ahlers said, as she sat in a beige recliner in her Lakeside home. A framed photo of a wide-smiling Rick sat on a TV cabinet nearby. "He always liked to make things more fun. If it was for the grandkids, he definitely went all out on making it awesome."

Jenny Ahlers holds a photo of her brother, Craig Ahlers, playing with her daughter Brooklyn Larson, who is now 23 years old and expecting a baby boy on Craig Ahlers' birthday.

Craig died first on Oct. 19, 2006, in Storm Lake. He is among the 1,031 Siouxlanders who lost their lives to suicide from 1999 to 2020. During that time frame, suicide was the 11th-leading cause of deathin the 21-county region, which includes Buena Vista County, according to data from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention.

Eighty-five Siouxlanders died by suicide in 2020 alone, the highest number of suicide deaths in a single year overthat 22-year period. Such deaths increased 77% between 2019 to 2020, the year the region's suicide death rate per 100,000 people also topped the national rate by 44.6%.

Siouxlanders, overall, died by suicide at a rate slightly lower (4.1%) than the national average over those roughly two decades. The data shows the greatest number of suicide deaths in Siouxland, 143, was tallied among non-Hispanic white males ages 45 to 54, followed by non-Hispanic white males ages 25 to 34, 136. Males of all races accounted for 81.9% of such deaths in the region.

Jessica Barnes, community-based services administrator for Heartland Counseling Services in South Sioux City, said males tend to turn to more lethal means of suicide. White males, in particular, are less likely to seek help for a mental health condition, she said.

"Especially when you're talking about our region, rural areas -- just that mentality of, 'Pull up your bootstraps and deal with it and get through it' and 'Seeking help makes you weak,' or whatever types of beliefs that a person might have that would prevent them from reaching out," she said.

Before his death, Ahlers said her brother was busy working and being a new dad. He was "just living his life," according to Ahlers, who said she never thought Craig was depressed or that he would ever die by suicide.

Ahlers said depression and other mental health conditions are no different than any other illness, but she said the general public doesn't view it that way.

"You can't see mental illness in the same way you can see a broken bone or any type of injury. I don't feel like it's treated in the same manner and it's not given the same support that someone who is ill perhaps with cancer or something else is," she said.

Jenny Ahlers holds photos of her brother, Craig Ahlers, left, and father, Rick Ahlers, right, at her home in Lakeside, Iowa. Craig and Rick Ahlers both died by suicide.

Dr. Nesrin Abu Ata, a board-certified psychiatrist who practices at Rosecrance Jackson Centers in Sioux City, said the incidence of depression and anxiety, as well as substance use, has increased in Siouxland amid the pandemic.

"Depression is one of the top debilitating diseases; and with depression comes suicide. It's not just people dying of suicide, there's an increase in the burden of the mental health diseases," said Abu Ata, who noted that groups who have low access to mental health care, such as African Americans, Latinos, children, women and transgender people, are at greater risk of dying by suicide, as are those who are incarcerated or have comorbidities.

"And, then, you add to it the economy, a lot of the political, socio-cultural factors -- all that just fed into suicide. We think of suicide as a downstream kind of effect. It's the tip of the iceberg. But, there's all these things that are leading up to it."

In April, Heartland Counseling Services broke ground on a new 20,000-square-foot facility to help address a state-wide shortage of mental health providers and rising suicide rates. Over the past decade, Barnes said the need for staff at Heartland has steadily grown. She ties the increase in demand for services to the pandemic, as well as the rise of social media and more community awareness about mental health.

Barnes said sudden changes in behavior, such as increased irritability, withdrawal, isolation and direct and indirect suicidal statements are warning signs of suicide.

"If they're saying, 'Yes, please help me,' reaching out to any medical professional or any mental health professional is a good start," she said. "Sometimes, people are in such a bad state of mind that it's not that simple to just say, 'Let's go to an appointment.' If that's the case, they could reach out to a crisis line, like Heartland's."

Jessica Barnes, community-based services administrator for Heartland Counseling Services, is pictured in her South Sioux City office.In April, Heartland Counseling Services broke ground on a new 20,000-square-foot facility to help address a state-wide shortage of mental health providers and rising suicide rates.

Heartland's 24/7 crisis line, 402-494-7655 or 877-958-7776, is staffed by responders who screen all calls to assess the problem. If the problem is severe, the responder will contact the licensed mental health therapist on call to request that a crisis assessment be conducted.

Calling, texting or chatting 988 is another option. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects individuals nationwide with a trained counselor who will listen to their problems, provide support and refer them to additional resources.

If you notice warning signs of an undiagnosed mental health condition in a loved one, Abu Ata said you shouldn't be afraid to talk to them about it.

"'If I talk about it, are they going to be sensitive? Is it going to put ideas in their head?' It doesn't," she said. "If you're worried about a loved one, talk to them."

Abu Ata said you can begin the conversation by simply asking, "How have things been?" Ask specifically about quality of sleep, eating habits and how work or school is going. Next, she recommends asking, "How do you think you are doing?" Then, Abu Ata advises bringing up the changes you have observed, before posing the question, "What do you think would help you best?"

Abu Ata said she would help an individual return to their "sense of community" by accompanying them to their church, gym or volunteer organization.

"We all want to feel like we are contributing to something bigger than ourselves and that we are worthwhile and have a purpose. That's the layman kind of intervention," she said. "If you're really worried about somebody, that's when you say, 'Let's go this clinic where you can get help' or 'Let's talk to the suicide hotline.'"

Three weeks after Craig's death, Ahlers said her father was involved in a serious car crash. He suffered disabling injuries and was no longer able to do maintenance work at Metal Works in Spencer, a job Ahlers said Rick loved.

"He was in the hospital for several months in Des Moines at a rehabilitation center learning how to do a lot of things again, but it didn't stop him. He was always very motivated to be better and do more," she said. "He was a fighter in many ways. He just did what he could when he could."

The anniversary of Craig's death was always a hard time for Rick, but Ahlers said her dad was particularly struggling with it in the fall of 2018. Rick was living in Laurens, a city in Pocahontas County, roughly 30 miles northwest of Storm Lake. Ahlers reached out to her dad; and the two communicated before he died on Oct. 21.

"Ultimately, I didn't think that I would lose him by suicide," Ahlers said, voicing quaking, as she wiped tears from her eyes. "I can't imagine being in the pain that he was in and that Craig was in and being in such a deep dark place that you feel that the world is better off without you in it. I can't imagine feeling that hopeless. It makes me extremely sad that he and Craig both were there, because the world was a better place with them here."

Ahlers said she was able to process the grief of her father's death differently than that of her brother's, because she didn't blame herself. Over the years, she said she has gone through counseling and participated in a number of mental health training sessions. Giving back to others has also helped Ahlers heal.

In August 2020, she officially established the Buena Vista County Suicide Prevention Coalition with Casey Orth-Nebitt, a friend who also lost a loved one to suicide. The women recognized a need for an organization in the community that would help reduce the stigma associated with suicide and promote healing, with the goal of ultimately eliminating suicide. The coalition consists of representatives from mental health counseling centers, the school district, media and others who have lost loved ones to suicide.

Ahlers said coalition members reach out to families in the community who have been impacted by suicide with caring baskets and a list of resources. The coalition hosted its first suicide prevention and family wellness 5K run/walk in the fall of 2021 and has another planned for Sept. 24 at Chautauqua Park in Storm Lake. Ahlers said participants will have the opportunity to write messages of hope in chalk on the path during the event.

"I don't want anyone to ever feel like they don't deserve to be here with all of us. I don't want anyone else's story to end too soon," she said.

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Siouxland woman raises awareness of suicide prevention after deaths of brother, father - Sioux City Journal

Abortion vote returns spotlight to obscure Michigan board

A once obscure Michigan elections panel is back in the spotlight after rejecting a ballot initiative asking voters whether abortion rights should be enshrined in the states constitution and another to expand voting in the state.

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers deadlocked 2-2 on party lines on both initiatives Wednesday.

Abortion rights supporters have already said they will ask the state Supreme Court to intervene to place the measure on the November ballot. The organization backing the voting measure is expected do the same.

The board last came under national scrutiny in November 2020 when then-President Donald Trump and his supporters tried to convince Republican members not to certify Democrat Joe Bidens victory in the state. One GOP member abstained, but the other joined Democrats in voting to certify.

It highlighted the possibility that the panel charged with largely clerical duties, not investigating elections could become another hyperpartisan battleground.

The stakes of the abortion rights proposal are particularly high. Its backers are aiming to negate a 91-year-old state law that would ban abortion in all instances except to save the life of the mother.

Michigans 1931 law which abortion opponents had hoped would be triggered by a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade in June remains blocked after months of court battles.

WHAT IS THE BOARD OF STATE CANVASSERS?

Michigans state constitution of 1850 created the board to handle administrative duties before and after an election. The boards structure has changed over time.

Current law provides for four members two from each political party that earned the most votes in the latest secretary of state election. Michigans 1908 Constitution was the first to mandate that a majority of the board could not be made up of members of the same political party. Theres no process to break a 2-2 deadlock; typically that leads to a court challenge.

Election experts say similar structures arose elsewhere during the Progressive Era as reformers hoped a system of mutual policing would cut down on the influence of party machines on election outcomes.

Since then, federal courts have gained more legal authority to examine evidence and question witnesses, and to address claims related to state-level elections, said Kevin Johnson, executive director of the Election Reformers Network. The nonpartisan group advocates for ranked choice voting and independent redistricting among other election reforms.

Mutual policing is a system that becomes risky in a hyperpartisan environment, so it needs some new thinking, Johnson said.

WHAT DOES THE BOARD DO?

Michigan courts have repeatedly described the boards responsibilities as administrative or clerical, while Michigans elected secretary of state is the chief election official.

But the boards potential to dramatically influence elections has come to the fore in recent years.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin have a board or a commission that fully oversees elections. Most of those states require a certain numbers of members from each major political party, according to NCSL research.

Key responsibilities of the Michigan board include: canvassing and certifying statewide elections, judicial elections and legislative elections that cross county lines; conducting statewide office recounts; and approving electronic voting systems.

The board meets after elections to determine official results based on reports from local clerks. The board members do not audit election results or investigate accusations of fraud.

The board also has a significant role in statewide ballot proposals. Aided by state elections staff, it reviews petitions seeking to put a proposal on ballots and approves the exact language that voters will see on those ballots.

Christopher Thomas, director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections for 36 years until retiring in 2017, said that process became more heated during his career as attorneys representing battling groups sought to win board members over, largely playing to their political alliances.

Its unfortunate, Thomas said. Ive heard board members say theyre there to represent their party, and I found that so antithetical to their purpose.

Still, prior to 2020, the dynamic rarely captured wide public attention.

WHAT CHANGED?

Following the 2020 presidential election, then-President Donald Trump and his allies targeted Michigans Board of State Canvassers as part of a broad and futile attempt to challenge his loss in several states. Trump and his backers, despite no evidence of fraud, demanded that the board refuse to certify the results.

But ultimately, one Republican board member joined two Democrats in certifying Joe Bidens 154,000 vote victory in Michigan. The other Republican board member abstained from voting.

Election experts worry the unsuccessful attempt has fueled efforts to further politicize Michigans canvassing system, pointing to people with a history of backing Trumps unproven claims of fraud getting appointed to county-level canvassing slots.

That heightens the chance of local canvassing boards deadlocking or members refusing to vote, undercutting voters confidence in the system and even risking agitation or spillover into the streets, said Johnson, with the Election Reformers Network.

WHOS ON THE BOARD NOW?

State parties provide a list of potential candidates to Michigans governor, who selects a member from those options. Four-year terms are staggered.

Both Republicans who held the partys seats in 2020 are gone. Aaron Van Langevelde, who voted to certify the results despite pressure from Trump supporters, was not nominated again by the state GOP when his term ended that winter. The board member who abstained from a vote in 2020, Norman Shinkle, resigned in June to run for a state legislative seat.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer selected Tony Daunt from three nominees submitted by the GOP to replace Van Langevelde. Daunt, a longtime party activist, was an outspoken critic of Trumps bid to challenge the 2020 results.

Whitmer appointed Richard Houskamp, another longtime activist, to replace Shinkle. Houskamp told the Detroit Free Press in July that he hadnt seen any evidence of fraud in the 2020 election and that continuing to make those claims is not healthy for the country.

One of the two Democrats who voted to certify the 2020 election results is still on the board: Jeannette Bradshaw, an electrician and elected leader within Detroits International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The other, Julie Matuzak, resigned in December 2020 after 10 years on the board. Mary Ellen Gurewitz, an attorney who represented Michigan Democrats before the board in 2020, was appointed to replace her.

By KATHLEEN FOODYAssociated Press

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Abortion vote returns spotlight to obscure Michigan board - MyMotherLode.com