[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Man that's sad. Admittedly I don't know the context of the job (it could be a life or death situation and not safe), but if I worked a normal 9-5 and couldn't be allowed to take a 5 minute like that to vent my head or take a breather.... I'd feel like a salve or something idk.

You're correct it pretty much boils down to that. I spent 30yrs in the union construction trades as a plumber/pipe welder on high rise buildings in the NYC/NJ area,if you don't focus on whats around you,you get hurt,or worse hurt someone else or ultimately die. I've witnessed it. I saw someone get crushed when a crane was lowering a load of pipe and they were on their phone texting w earbuds and didn't see/hear everyone yelling GET OUT OF THE WAY!!. The list goes on. Cell phones are a huge safety concern. Also kills productivity.

The bosses aren't too happy when they're paying you a 6 figure salary and you're standing around yapping on your phone.

Do it at coffee break or at lunchtime or if it's imperative you need to surf the web,you head out to the porta-potty and do it in there so nobody sees lol.

Side note,I was permanently injured and had to retire early due to my 19yr old apprentice replying to a text from his girlfriend and he dropped a 21' length of carbon steel pipe on me.