Radioactive Blues. 8/8/2005
Got called into a meeting today, and watched the shit hit the fan, and trying frantically to avoid getting splattered.
The imaging suites in the new project have a very significant, and possibly fatal, flaw. The doors and walls are lead lined. Unfortunately the door frames are not, and there are air gaps around the doors and hinges. What this means is that radiation is able to leak out of the room, and is a definite health hazard. What is also means, more importantly, is that the rooms will not pass a radiation leak test.
Any imaging department, wanting a C class license from the Ministry of Health, is required to satisfactorily pass a leak test. To perform this test, a radioactive isotope is placed in the room, right about where the x-ray element would be when it is in operation, and the room closed, as per normal operating conditions. A geiger counter is then used to take readings from various points outside the room, with particular attention being paid to, you got it, door frames and air gaps. These points are notorious for allowed radiation to pass.
In the new project, the door frames have no lead lining, thus meaning that we know, from experience, that these rooms will fail. No doubt about it. So Jerkoff, who is in charge of the imaging equipment, decides to tell someone from the main contractor’s project team. Which resulted in an immediate stop work order being passed. Nothing wrong in that, except that the company I work for is now liable for the delay.
The Project Director went ballistic when he heard this during a co-ordination meeting this morning, and called the Project Manager, Jerkoff and myself in. Why was I called in for the meeting? I have no idea. But blame was being spread around in copious amounts, and I pleaded selective amnesia when asked about discussions being held, by Jerkoff, without the Project Manager’s knowledge, with the main contractor’s staff.
After getting a earful, and sneaking out a little later for a roll up, I thought the time was right to remind Jerkoff that I still had the log of his visit to a porn site during office hours safely stashed away. He gave me this, “You bastard. You would kick a man when he’s down” look, and I just reminded him that being proud and arrogant meant that someday, you would have to pay the price.