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| Title | Steeplejacks |
| Creator (LCNAF) |
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| Publisher | Nottingham: M. Macdonald & Co . |
| Date | 1920 |
| Description | A 51-page booklet published in 1920 called “Steeljacks” by M. Macdonald & Co. (Steeplejacks) Ltd. based out of several Great Britain offices including London, England. Content includes numerous illustrated pages on steeplejacks, chimneys, spires, lightning conductors, and the repair and restoration of towers. |
| Subject.Topical (LCSH) |
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| Subject.Topical (Local) |
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| Subject.Name (LCNAF) |
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| Genre (AAT) |
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| Language | English |
| Type (DCMI) |
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| Original Item Location | T54 .M2 1920 |
| Original Item URL | http://library.uh.edu/record=b5576987~S11 |
| Digital Collection | Architecture Retail Catalog Collection |
| Digital Collection URL | http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/aapamphlets |
| Repository | Kenneth Franzheim II Rare Books Room, William R. Jenkins Architecture and Art Library, University of Houston Libraries |
| Repository URL | http://info.lib.uh.edu/about/campus-libraries-collections/william-r-jenkins-architecture-art-library |
| Use and Reproduction | This image is in the public domain and may be used freely. If publishing in print, electronically, or on a website, please cite the item using the citation button. |
| File Name | index.cpd |
| Title | Page 9 |
| Format (IMT) |
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| File Name | aapam_201209_005ai.jpg |
| Transcript | report is sufficient to indicate the lines of his development. For a whole year, they are placed under the personal supervision of the foreman, an employee of great ex; perience. At the end of the year he makes a special report on each apprentice, from which we are able to judge his general reactions to the work, and the department, if any, to which he is most suited, and then we begin the "moulding" process, according to his own particular bent. It may be that a boy has a special aptitude for brickwork, and if this be so he would be given every encouragement to follow this line. He would be asked to spend four years, under expert guidance, on chimney building and repairing, two years on stonework, and one year in the lightning conductor department. In the course of his training, he would be placed in the charge of various foremen, so that he could inculcate the best from all, and at 22, providing he has been fully observant, he will become a first;class craftsman as a bricklayer steeplejack. A thorough training is essential if the Macdonald organization is to retain its high reputation. The organization to;day has steeplejacks experienced in every class of work, both new and old. They are specialists, for every boy who comes to us is studied and eventually placed in the branch best suited to him, so that in the long run he becomes an integral part of the firm as a specialist. We pride ourselves on the fact that every contract placed with us receives personal supervision from an expert, and that the job is executed with the highest degree of skill. Our employees are only con; tent with the best possible workmanship. That is to their credit and to the satisfaction of our clients. It is perhaps only natural that the nature of the work detracts from a large number of entrants. Everyone knows it is a dangerous occupation. It is estimated to;day, apart from many semiskilled men, there are only about 40 skilled steeplejacks in the country, and we employ over a quarter of this small number ACCIDENTS. There is always a liability of accident in this, as in any other profession, but over a period of four decades our statistics show that the average is two fatal accidents a year. The cause of such accidents might be classified under three headings :— (a) A dormant weakness in the structure of the building ; (/>) Defective plant ; (O Over;confidence. So far as (/>) is concerned, an experienced man will always check and re;check the strength of his ropes, boards, chains, etc., and never take for granted their supposed strength. Opinions on strength may differ and that which would be regarded as sound by one would be condemned by another. Thus experience counts, and we cannot emphasize too fully the importance of firms desiring the services of a steeplejack, to employ only a reputable firm, otherwise grave risks might be run. The weakness in the structure of a building might make itself apparent before the steeplejacks have even had a chance to complete their investigations, and what would then happen if the in; surance figure was not adequate to meet the subsequent demand, or if there were no insurance policy in force at all. Such lack of business acumen does exist in some |