Evan Crombie

I got the opportunity to start driving a digger and gain experience due to K.T Montgomery's lorry driver becoming unwell as I had lorry experience. I quickly learnt how to drive a machine forward and backwards as I was loading the plant onto the back of the low loader, time passed and I got better and quickly got my CPCS red card for 10t above and below which quickly got me out on site. As I got more experience on the digger with my ground works knowledge I quickly got the hang of it weather it was digging round services or digging funds. During my time here I have progressed through time to my blue CPCS card. Whilst here I realised health and safety is the number one priority whilst operating the machine weather that is making sure you have a banks man at all times or getting a thumbs up from your colleagues.

I started with Dalcon to try something different and challenge myself as I always had a fascination with building and infrastructures. During my time at Dalcon I quickly learnt you couldn't just dig holes if the ground hadn't been cat and genny. I went on a course to learn how to use the equipment properly. I also learnt you had to use the correct PPE for different tasks, if I was ever unsure I knew to ask the site supervisor for instructions on what to use, making sure the sites companies rules were followed. While my time here I made sure I had set up protective barriers if we had excavated a hole to keep pedestrians safe and away from the excavation. I also performed physical actives such as hand digging, walking, manual handling. Whilst with Dalcon I made sure the correct paperwork was in place before starting the task whether that was a permit to break the ground or hot works permit. Before the dig I also looked at the services drawing to see if there was services below or for signs there's been a break in the tar with a strip being replaced.

During my time at T.French&son I gained experiences such as working under pressure and meeting tight dead lines. I also learned to use my own initiative and figure out different routes when there was road closures and navigate my way through unfamiliar places to get myself. safely to the destination. I operated HGV's according to DVSA laws and regulations, ensuring safe use of my vehicle and be cautious of other road users due to the hight and width of my vehicle. I ensured to keep all relevant paperwork was kept up to date, well organised and stored ready to hand back in when it was required. I was always cautious of pedestrians walking or other road users in the blind spots of the vehicle. During my time at T.French&son I learnt to report any faults to my line manager before the condition got worst causing the fault to brake and having the vehicle off the road causing the company down time. I also leant you had to be flexible about working hours working overtime if and when required.