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Q&As since 1989


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Should I take the plating shop job?

Hello, my name is Manuel and I live in Houston. A friend of mind works at a place that does some "Zinc Plating" and has told me that they have several openings. He has told me a little about the process, at least what he does. He mentioned how they dip nuts and bolts into tubs filled with acids that are heated to the point that they steam up. He told me that the process is called (PCI-3). Don't get me wrong, the pay would be great, but the thought working around steam coming from tubs of acid and zinc does bring up a red flag. So basicly I'm just curious, how safe is it to work around and what safety equipment if any, should be used in that environment?

So, should I take the job?

Manuel Calderon
Potential Employee - Houston, Texas
2005

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All jobs have hazards--roofers can fall off of roofs, crossing guards can get run over, nurses can prick themselves with AIDS-infected needles. Plating is not unduly hazardous as can be determined from workman's compensation rates. If the job interview reveals a safety-consciousness and emphasis on continuous training you should be fine; if not, it sounds like trouble.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

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I have to agree 100% with Ted, every job has some hazard to it. I have been in the plateing industry for 15 years now,we use alot of different types of acids,caustics,nickel,chrome and the worst of all cyanide. I have not seen any serious accidents in my time,I have seen a few good burns and what have you,but most of them could be chalked up to stupidity. As long as they are well exausted tanks and they give you the proper safety equipment,you should be just fine. Remember SAFETY FIRST!


Good Luck

Regards

Brian C. Gaylets
McKinney Mfg. Assa Abloy America - Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
2005