Christian Maldonado

I work in the overlay department where there’s milling and paving. I’m on the paving crew where we lay down new asphalt for the streets that the other crew milled. Working here I’ve used tools like asphalt rake, scoop shovel, pump sprays, mini sledge hammer and metal hook. When paving we have to uncovered man holes or utility pipes using shovels, metal hook and hammer. The big paver lays out the asphalt I ensure the asphalt is not overlapping the curb & gutter and then others with machinery equipment later come and compact the asphalt. I’ve also had days helping the milling crew where we mill the streets that need replacing where it’s machine work but I still use tools like a shovel and pick. I also learned proper traffic control using work signs and cones for lane closures or directing traffic.

We did from what was called from ground up meaning doing all the dirt work, setting form, tying rebar and then pouring concrete. I was using common tools like shovels for dirt work and lasers for grade height when digging trenches. Using measuring tapes, hammer, 16lb sledge hammer, square ruler, chalk line, circular saw and 4ft smart level all tools used when forming. When tying rebar we’d use wire reels and pliers and measuring tapes and spray paint for marking our points when laying out rebar. Other tools for concrete were concrete spreaders, concrete float, concrete finisher trowel, concrete edger, bull float, fresno trowel and concrete broom. Machinery equipment I would use were concrete power trowel, skid steers, mini excavator and sky track.

When working here I was stacking concrete walls for bridges and highways. I was also doing concrete work like forming and pouring cement for foundation. When setting concrete walls on foundation we would use a big excavator to pick up and set them on there location then brace them using clamps and wooden braces to secure them. To secure the braces we would use tools like impact guns, wrenches, hammers, nails, wooden stakes and 4 foot level. I would also tie rebar mats for the foundation we pour on top on the wall for the asphalt pavers when making the highway or road way.

(Utility Work)
Using work tools such as shovels to either remove piles of dirt from and areas no longer needed or grading gravel. Also using a small level for insuring the sewer & drainage pipes have flow and when installing manholes. Would also install water main and fire hydrants. Other equipments I’ve used were machinery such as compact rollers & skid steers. Using impact tools to tighten down clamps and couplings for water main pipes.