HARD hat - check, hi vis - check, boots - check! Free Press reporter Natalie Jones spends a day in the life of a... machine driver.
Ruthin firm - Jones Brothers, established since the 1950s, is one of the UKs leading civil engineering companies.
They work on a diverse range of projects, including: Highways - Ruthin link road, coastal protection - Isle of White and infrastructure.
Jones Bros also has a surfacing division, its own quarry (Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen) and a plant hire division.
“We supply materials from our own quarry, which enables us to quote lower rates than third party suppliers,” said Ken Roberts-Jones, who is the health, safety, environmental and training (HSET) manager at the firm.
The company owns one of the largest heavy plant fleets in the UK, and offers services in plant hire and construction equipment hire.
The fleet of around 180 machines includes, excavators, bulldozers and dump trucks, tractors, welding and surveying equipment.
All equipment is stored and fixed on site.
“We try to fix everything ourselves here, but if there is something that needs working on in Scotland, someone would have to go up there to look at it... we wouldn't bring it all the way back to North Wales,” said Phil Porter, workshop manager.
Historically, many of their contracts have been located in North Wales and the North West.
But, as the company expands, a greater proportion of their work is being won and carried out across the rest of the UK.
Including a wind farm at Crystal Rig, near Edinburgh, and Tullo, Aberdeenshire, where employees are currently installing balance of plant for the farms.
“When we carry out a job that is out of the area, for example the wind turbine project in Scotland, the majority of people there will be employed by us,” said Ken, who has worked for the company for 39 years.
“Our theory is that if our machines are being used, then it is our employees who will be operating them.”
As well as providing a service, Ruthin Bros also run a certified apprenticeship and professional training programmes.
Ken has been involved in training up Ruthin Bros employees, and people from outside firms, for the past 12 years.
“Everything is changing in the industry, we have to test people now every five years,” said Ken.
“So the test site we have here is very useful.”
The test site can only be described as a works yard.
“We can teach in the classroom about how do to things, but out here is where people really learn.”
Ken has also been giving talks in schools for the last 10 years about the construction industry.
“This job isn’t for everyone,” said Ken.
“You have to work outside in all weathers, but the rewards are immense.
“Driving down a road that you know you have helped create is a great feeling.”
Although the jobs are so diverse, from waste management and remediation to flood protection and renewables, everyone has to be able to do one thing - drive machinery.
Since arriving at the site I have been itching to have a go behind the wheel of any one of the vehicles.
A tracked or wheeled excavator, wheeled or tracked loaders, crushers and screens or even a tractor.
My chosen vehicle - a Volvo A35 Dumper Truck.
The wheels are almighty, the same size as me, and at five foot seven I wouldn’t be classed as short.
I clamber up into the drivers seat, where I am met with numerous dials, buttons and gadgets, they all look alien to me.
The engine roars to a start and I rock in my seat.
Ken explains the basics.
“Just concentrate on the two right pedals, they are the break and the power,” he says.
I look down to ensure I know which pedal is which, that would surely make front page news if I ran over our photographer!
Next the gear stick, luckily I only need to know neutral, reverse and drive.
I start to reverse this huge beast, and surprisingly its not as hard to maneuver as I thought.
I have very over-sized side mirrors, and also a monitor which shows what the rear end of the truck is doing, and of course if there is anyone walking behind it.
Reversing the truck to the right, I find that its rathr large behind is soon at the side of me, turning the wheel the other way the truck becomes parallel.
Once in drive I am allowed to ‘open it up’ and put my foot down on the gas pedal travelling to the other side of the site.
The gears change the faster speed I travel, I think I am making good progress, but a warning light flashes followed by a loud beep.
“Your not going quick enough for it to change gear!” explains Ken.
Ken leaves me in the truck by myself, I am soon overcome with fear, like the first time you drive your car alone after passing your test.
I can see Ken who stays at the side of me the whole time, and I realise that nothing can go wrong.
And if it does - at least I’m wearing a hard hat!
Its been an interesting day with Jones Brothers, and I have learned a lot about this local company, plus its not everyday you get to drive a vehicle whose wheels are as tall as you!