OPEN WINDOWS | Arteries
March 8th, 2022
“Asphalt is toxic.
The chemicals mixed in asphalt can be
harmful if you inhale asphalt fumes for extended periods.”
KENNY
Asphalt paver, USA
Asphalt paving is one of the most hazardous construction jobs. Road workers execute their duties under severe climates—heatwaves, snowstorms and rainfall—operating heavy equipment, cutting concrete, welding, paving, shovelling asphalt, painting, assembling barriers and monitoring traffic. The inherently dangerous construction work often results in head injuries, loss of eyesight, trauma and death. I met a few asphalt pavers—Kenny, Adrian and Mark—on-site, with Kenny stepping aside to talk with me.
Heera Alaya: Good morning.
Kenny, Adrian and Mark: [In chorus] Good morning.
I see you are busy at work. Can I snatch a few minutes of your time?
Kenny: Sure.
Thank you.
What is your crew doing right now?
We are repairing the streets and fixing the potholes. First, we remove the old asphalt and then lay down the new asphalt.
How long does it take to finish a project of this size [half a block]?
About three hours. It’s not so much preparation; it’s a mental thing.
What do you mean when you say your job is mentally challenging?
We shovel a lot of asphalt, which is heavy, especially when it gets cold. It will be physically demanding if you are not built for it [asphalt paving]. But mentally, it’s about telling yourself you will get the job done. I have seen many people come and go in my short time here. Summertime is brutal. We got 100 degrees on our back, and the asphalt comes out between 200 and 400 degrees.
Thank you for explaining.
What time did you start work this morning, and how early does your day start?
We are up pretty early. Today, we started at 6.30 am, so I was up around quarter to five. It all depends on our schedule—when to come to work. Before working on-site, we have to put up the signs to ensure people don’t park in those spots; we have to monitor traffic.
What time do you get off?
We can get off at 4:00 pm, which is a good time, or we could continue until 7:00 pm.
That’s pulling in a long day.
Yeah.
How many days a week do you work?
Six days a week.
What do you like to do on your free days?
Get ready for Monday because we only have one free day—Sunday.
[Laughter]
We spend as much time as possible with the family, rest, and return on Monday morning. On Sunday, when it’s football season, I watch some football and run around with the kids. If we get off early on Saturday, we get a bit of Saturday evening and Sunday to rest, but most of the time, we are pretty much working.
You mentioned the asphalt being 200 to 400 degrees. Where is the asphalt heated?
The asphalt heats up at the plant. And we bring it here [the site] in a dump truck.
What are the dangers of working with asphalt?
Asphalt is toxic. The chemicals that are mixed in asphalt can be harmful if you inhale asphalt fumes for extended periods. But we rotate our jobs and get some fresh air and water. The hotter the asphalt is, the steamier it will be. You distance yourself from the steaming asphalt when you get a second.
Do you have health insurance?
Yes, Mam.
How do you keep hydrated in the summer?
As a crew of twelve, we are like family, and we constantly fill up the coolers with ice and water. We also drink a lot of Gatorade.
If you could change something about this job, what would it be?
There is a lot I can’t say; you can’t change the world. But I would like to change the pay rate; we all want that. I would also like to change the hours. I don’t mind getting here at 6:30 a.m., but working until late in the evening and getting right back up at 5:00 a.m. is hard. I am a young guy, and I can take it, but it still affects your body because you are not getting proper sleep.
For how many more years will you work as an asphalt paver?
I might do ten years, maybe 15 years. I am trying to move up. I started as labour, and now I am a looper.
What does looping entail?
A looper ensures the grade is even and the edges are intact.
Good luck to you.
I want to say something.
Kenny, I insist.
[Laughter]
Thank you for showing interest in us.
Your words melt my heart. I appreciate you guys. Thank you for accommodating me.
Have a good day.
