Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
Richard Moran
6e
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
Basic Building & Construction Skills: Carpentry & other general construction trades © 2020 Cengage Learning Australia Pty Limited
Any URLs contained in this publication were checked for currency during the For product information and technology assistance,
production process. Note, however, that the publisher cannot vouch for the ongoing in Australia call 1300 790 853;
currency of URLs. in New Zealand call 0800 449 725
Previous edition published 2016 For permission to use material from this text or product, please email
aust.permissions@cengage.com
Acknowledgements
ABCC © Commonwealth of Australia 2018. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
You must not claim or imply that there’s any connection, sponsorship or endorsement ISBN: 9780170420570
between you, your products, services and the Commonwealth of Australia (or any of A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia
its agencies, including the ABCC), including through your use of Licenced Materials.
Cengage Learning Australia
Level 7, 80 Dorcas Street
South Melbourne, Victoria Australia 3205
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
BRIEF CONTENTS
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202 v
CONTENTS
Guide to the text ix
Guide to the online resources xi
Foreword xiii
Preface xiv
Acknowledgements xv
Colour palette for technical drawings xvi
List of figures xvii
vi Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
CHAPTER 4 Conduct workplace communication 131
What is communication? 132
Gather, convey and receive through verbal communication 134
Gather, convey and receive through written communication 137
On-site meetings 140
Summary 144
References and further reading 144
Get it right 145
Worksheets 147
CONTENTS
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202 vii
CHAPTER 8 Use carpentry and construction tools and equipment 267
Background 268
Planning and preparing to use tools and equipment 268
Identifying and selecting hand, power and pneumatic tools 268
Identifying, selecting and using plant and equipment 290
Using tools safely 300
Cleaning up after using tools and equipment 301
Summary 304
References and further reading 304
Get it right 305
Worksheets 307
Glossary 345
Index 349
viii CONTENTS
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202 ix
x GUIDE TO THE2020
Copyright TEXTCengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202 xi
xii GUIDE TO THE
Copyright ONLINE
2020 RESOURCES
Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
FOREWORD
This sixth edition of Basic Building and Construction Skills has been updated to support the
revised General Construction Training Package (CPC08 Construction, Plumbing and Services
Integrated Framework Training Package). As with previous editions, this sixth edition continues
to address the first eight units of competence contained within the Carpentry, Shopfitting and
Construction Carpentry qualifications.
Each chapter is based on the relevant competencies providing building trade apprentices,
trainees and school students undertaking VET courses with the materials required to develop a
sound understanding of the skills and knowledge required by each unit of competence.
The main aim of this text is to bestow a firm foundation for lifelong learning and will prepare
new construction workers for a long and rewarding career in the building industry. It is
anticipated that the outcomes of this learning will lead to the development of qualified
tradespersons who are able to work safely, efficiently and prolifically in the building and
construction industry for many years to come.
I would like to thank Richard Moran for his contribution of time and expertise in ensuring that
the content of this publication is current and relevant to the building industry as it stands today
and for the future of the industry.
Shayne Fagan
Head of Skills Team
Innovative Manufacturing, Robotic and Science
Western Sydney Region
TAFE New South Wales
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202 xiii
PREFACE
The building and construction industry within Australia provides employment across a wide range
of vocations and services, as well as the infrastructure that enables all sectors of our community to
function. The industry can be divided into three main sectors: residential, non-residential and
engineering (civil) construction. It is one of the most diverse single industries and contributes a
large percentage to Australia’s annual GDP, helping to make this country competitive on the
global stage.
For Australian building and construction enterprises to remain competitive within both the
global and national marketplace, Australian building and construction companies need well-
trained team members. This means that the vocational education and training (VET) sector
involved in providing high quality and effective training must respond quickly and efficiently to
the ever-changing needs of these enterprises.
This text is a starting point, designed to meet the needs of the latest national training package
(CPC08) by providing information and activities that reflect basic vocational and employability
skills. The knowledge and skills derived from this text will provide a strong foundation for future
learning, and will prepare new construction workers for a long and rewarding career in the
industry.
I wish to thank all the teachers of building and construction who have contributed their time,
knowledge and expertise over many years to ensure this text remains current, and that it provides
the essential underpinning information to enhance the knowledge and skill of workers around the
country in such an important industry.
Richard Moran
Teacher – Carpentry and Joinery, Building and Construction
TAFE New South Wales
xiv Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Cengage would like to thank the many reviewers whose incisive feedback helped shape this new
edition:
n Nicole Aleckson – Australian Trade Training Colleges
n Timm Alchin – Ranges TEC
n Mark Baker – South Regional TAFE
n Sharon Blackwell – TAFE NSW
n Andrew Blimka – TAFE Western
n Rabih Chamma – Trades College Australia
n Geoff Chant – Gimbal Training
n George Dragovic – TAFE NSW
n Peter Foresingdal – Gold Coast School of Construction
n Josef Fritzer – TAFE NSW
n Alfred Harper – CDU
n David Harris – TAFE NSW
n Tristin Howison – TAFE NSW
n Adam Laxton – Chisholm
n Richard Twist – TAFE NSW
n Mark Wyborn – TAFE NSW
Richard Moran would like to thank colleagues at Miller TAFE for their feedback and input
towards this edition.
Cengage would like to extend special thanks to Edward Hawkins for his numerous contributed
photos, as well as to Shayne Fagan and Paul Kubisch from South Western Sydney Institute for
their numerous contributions to this exciting new edition.
Every attempt has been made to trace and acknowledge copyright holders. Where the attempt has
been unsuccessful, the publishers welcome information that would redress the situation.
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202 xv
COLOUR PALETTE FOR TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
Colour name Colour Material
Light Chrome Yellow Cut end of sawn timber
Crimson Lake
Prussian Blue
Emerald Green
Sepia Earth
Very Light Raw Umber Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF), Veneered MDF
xvi Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
LIST OF FIGURES
1.1 Typical code of practice – ‘How to safely 1.41 PPE that must be worn when removing
remove asbestos’ (front cover) 5 non-friable asbestos sheeting 25
1.2 Construction Induction Card sample as 1.42 Asbestos removal signage 25
issued in Victoria (post 1 July 2008) 6 1.43 Asbestos warning sign and tools
1.3 White Card sample as issued in not to use on ACM 25
Queensland 6 1.44 Typical SWMS format (This template
1.4 White Card sample as issued in New South should be used in conjunction with
Wales 6 WorkSafe Victoria’s publication Information
1.5 White Card sample as issued in South about Safe Work Method Statements) 27
Australia 6 1.45 Evacuation diagram 30
1.6 The risk management process 7 1.46 Type B first aid kit 31
1.7 Risk matrix diagram 8 1.47 Stored contents of the kit 32
1.8 Hazard categories and subgroups 9 1.48 The elements necessary for a fire 32
1.9 Hierarchy of hazard controls 10 1.49 Portable fire extinguisher guide 33
1.10 Circular saw fitted with a guard 11 1.50 Using a fire extinguisher – PASS 34
1.11 Safety helmet 12 1.51 A typical fire blanket packet 35
1.12 Fabric sun brim accessory for a safety cap 1.52 A fire blanket in use 35
and bucket hat 12 1.53 Hose reel 35
1.13 Clear wide-vision goggles 12 1.54 Sample accident report form 36
1.14 Clear-framed spectacles 13 2.1 Home under construction 64
1.15 Full-face welding mask 13 2.2 Factory unit under construction 64
1.16 Face shield 13 2.3 Roadway under construction 65
1.17 Hearing protection 13 2.4 Early road-making in Canberra — Keystone
1.18 Mini dust mask warning: For nuisance steam shovel with horse and dray 66
dust only 14 2.5 Modern-day excavator 66
1.19 P1 and P2 disposable masks 14 2.6 Waffle pod slab construction 66
1.20 Half-face respirator with P2 class dust 2.7 Sydney Harbour Bridge under
filters fitted 14 construction 67
1.21 Gloves 14 2.8 Melbourne’s Eureka Tower – The tallest
1.22 Barrier cream 15 building in Australia to roof (2006) 67
1.23 Foot protection 15 2.9 Sydney Opera House – designed by
1.24 Picture signs – smoking prohibited 16 Danish architect Jørn Utzon and built
1.25 Word-only messages 16 from 1959 to 1973 68
1.26 Combined picture and word signs 16 2.10 Concrete being collected for testing 69
1.27 Digging prohibited 16 2.11 Work site toilet 73
1.28 No pedestrian access 16 2.12 Sample evacuation plan 73
1.29 Eye protection must be worn 16 2.13 Typical Gantt or bar chart for a brick
1.30 Hearing protection must be worn 18 veneer cottage on a concrete slab 74
1.31 Fire hazard warning signs 18 2.14 Hierarchy chart showing on-site
1.32 Toxic hazard 18 organisation 77
1.33 Electric shock hazard 18 2.15 Two working as one 77
1.34 Danger signs 18 2.16 Toolbox talk record sheet 80
1.35 First aid 18 2.17 Aspects of sustainability 85
1.36 Emergency (safety) eye wash 18 2.18 Energy rating label 85
1.37 Fire alarm call point 19 2.19 Rainwater tanks 86
1.38 Electrical safety signs and tags 19 2.20 Waste minimisation hierarchy diagram 87
1.39 Page 1 of a sample SDS 20 2.21 A simple erosion and sediment
1.40 Location of asbestos in a 1970s home 24 control plan 90
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202 xvii
2.22 Sediment fence 91 5.11 Example 2: Find the total linear metres of
2.23 Stabilised entry/exit point 91 screed boarding for circular paving 163
2.24 Stockpiled material 92 5.12 Example 6: Calculate the area of
2.25 Grass filter strip 92 a gable roof 164
3.1 Result of poor planning 108 5.13 Example 7: Calculate the area of paving
3.2 Writing down key points 109 for a triangle-shaped courtyard 164
3.3 Typical chain wire fence type – Type A 5.14 Example 8: Calculate the total area that
hoarding 110 needs to be painted 164
3.4 Plastic water-filled barrier 110 5.15 Trapezoid 165
3.5 Board and trestle barricade 110 5.16 Quadrilateral 165
3.6 Plan, south elevation and north elevation 5.17 Irregular polygon 165
of a small shed 111 5.18 Polygon 166
3.7 East elevation and west elevation of 5.19 Polygon 166
a small shed 112 5.20 Irregular-shaped concrete slab 168
3.8 Identify material placement on the site plan 112 5.21 Single skin of brickwork 169
3.9 Transporting materials to and around the site 112 6.1 Plans and specifications 184
3.10 Double-check details before you start 113 6.2 A typical site or contour plan 184
3.11 A building is like a huge jigsaw puzzle 114 6.3 Perspective views: (a) 1-point,
3.12 Clean the work area daily 115 (b) 2-point, (c) 3-point 185
3.13 Clean, maintain and store tools and 6.4 Pictorial representation 185
equipment 115 6.5 Isometric projection 185
3.14 Australia total waste generation by waste 6.6 Oblique projection 185
stream, management and jurisdiction 6.7 Typical site plan 186
(excluding ACT), 2010–11 115 6.8 Typical floor plan 187
3.15 Good and accurate formwork – resulting 6.9 Typical details of elevations 187
in good and accurate concrete finish 117 6.10 Typical section taken through kitchen
3.16 Poor formwork – resulting formwork and living/dining areas 187
collapses, concrete is wasted 117 6.11 Slab edge detail 187
3.17 Preparing the wall frame ready for the 6.12 Common reduction scales 188
brick veneer 118 6.13 Examples of dimension lines 188
3.18 Rough-in the services before fitting linings 118 6.14 Typical title block showing required
4.1 Communicating by talking 132 information 189
4.2 Communicating = creating understanding 133 6.15 Symbols for sections in-ground 190
4.3 The feedback process 134 6.16 Symbolic representations of windows for
4.4 The communication process 134 elevations 190
4.5 Communication using facial expressions 135 6.17 Graphics for use on site plans 191
4.6 Communication through body posture 135 6.18 Symbolic representations for floor plans
4.7 Mobile phone in use 136 and details 191
4.8 Communicating by sketching a detail 139 6.19 Symbolic representations of fixtures and
4.9 Typical team meeting 141 fittings 192
4.10 Typical example of a meeting agenda 141 6.20 Symbolic representation of doors for
4.11 Typical examples of meeting documents – elevation 193
(i) Formal agenda, (ii) Minutes of the 6.21 Symbolic representation for sections (a) 193
meeting 142 6.22 Symbolic representation for sections (b) 193
4.12 An example of an informal meeting in 6.23 Symbolic representations for floor plans
progress 142 and horizontal sections 193
5.1 Accurate measuring and marking is critical 157 6.24 Symbolic representations for floor plans
5.2 2 m folding rule 157 and horizontal sections 193
5.3 A typical scale rule 157 6.25 Site plan 195
5.4 The four-fold rule 158 6.26 Extract from a standard Department of
5.5 A typical retractable tape 158 Housing specification 196
5.6 Open reel and closed-case long tapes 158 6.27 Cavity brick cottage 198
5.7 A trundle wheel 159 6.28 Typical detail of a reinforced concrete
5.8 A laser distance-measuring device 159 strip footing 199
5.9 A calculator 162 6.29 Slab edge detail in stable soil 199
5.10 Example 1: Fencing an enclosed site 162 6.30 Typical waffle-pod slab system 199
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCNLIST OF FIGURES
02-200-202 xix
8.12 A selection of chisels that may be used to 8.52 Roller, roller frame and metal or plastic
cut into timber 271 tray 278
8.13 (a) Jointer or try plane, (b) jack plane, 8.53 Abrasive papers 279
(c) smoother plane and (d) block plane 271 8.54 Hand tools for breaking, cutting and
8.14 Bench grinder with guide 271 grubbing. (a) Crowbar, (b) Fork,
8.15 Oil stones 271 (c) Mattock, (d) Pick, (e) Spade,
8.16 Diamond stones 271 (f) Longhandled round-mouth shovel,
8.17 (a) pad saw, (b) tenon saw, (c) panel saw, (g) Spud bar 279
(d) crosscut saw and (e) rip saw 272 8.55 Light digging, shovelling, cleaning-out and
8.18 Round or hexagonal steel shank with spreading tools. (a) Short-handled square-
specialist ends 272 mouth, (b) Long-handled square-mouth,
8.19 Pincers – a useful tool for extracting (c) Short-handled round-mouth,
fasteners 272 (d) Long-handled round-mouth 280
8.20 Rule folds out to a straight 1.0 m length 272 8.56 Special-purpose digging/shovelling tools 280
8.21 Marking gauge being used 273 8.57 Reading the bubble of a spirit level 281
8.22 Utility knife 273 8.58 An RCD protected portable power board 281
8.23 Typical timber plank 273 8.59 Electrical tags 282
8.24 Typical aluminium plank 273 8.60 Tagging machine 282
8.25 Typical timber saw stool 273 8.61 Circular saw 282
8.26 (a) G clamp, (b) quick action clamp, 8.62 Drop saw 283
(c) sash clamp, (d) spring clamp, 8.63 Compound mitre saw set to cut a
(e) F clamp 274 compound mitre cut 283
8.27 Drop-forged single open-end spanner 274 8.64 82 mm and 155 mm electrical planers
8.28 Chrome vanadium double open-end and blades 284
spanner 274 8.65 Cutting action of a jig saw 284
8.29 Podger for scaffolding and formwork centre 8.66 Jig saw cutting a piece of ply 284
adjustments – may be used for levering 274 8.67 Cordless and powered sabre saws 285
8.30 Double-end ring spanner 274 8.68 (From left to right) Plunge router, standard
8.31 Ring and open end combination 274 router and trimmer router 285
8.32 Half-moon ring spanner 274 8.69 Pistol-grip drill with side handle drilling
8.33 Square-drive ratchet handle and socket 275 steel 286
8.34 Adjustable shifting spanner 275 8.70 Tungsten carbide-tipped drill bit
8.35 (a) Insulated combination pliers, (masonry bit) 286
(b) insulated diagonal cutters, (c) needle-nose 8.71 Battery-powered impact driver 286
pliers and (d) external straight circlip pliers 275 8.72 Chuck operated with a key 286
8.36 Red, yellow and green aviation snips 275 8.73 Keyless chuck type 287
8.37 Jewellers’ snips for curved work 275 8.74 125 mm and 100 mm grinders 287
8.38 Hand pop rivet gun 275 8.75 Belt sander showing main parts 287
8.39 Long handles for leverage with centre cut 8.76 Sander actions 287
jaws for general cutting 276 8.77 Typical orbital sander 288
8.40 Bolster – available with a 65 mm, 100 mm 8.78 Nails being loaded into nailer 288
and 110 mm blade 276 8.79 Compressed air nailer 289
8.41 Wood float – available in various lengths 8.80 Gas nailer, generally referred to as a gas
and widths 276 nail gun 289
8.42 Steel float – available in a variety of shapes 8.81 A stripped down indirect-acting EPT 289
and sizes 276 8.82 A direct acting EPT 289
8.43 Concrete screed 276 8.83 Explosive-powered tool danger warning
8.44 Bull float and extension handle 277 sign 289
8.45 Concrete edging tools 277 8.84 Typical builder’s temporary power pole
8.46 Typical section through a reinforced water and board 291
hose 277 8.85 Portable site generator 291
8.47 Putty knife 277 8.86 Trailer-mounted diesel generator 292
8.48 A broad knife and a filling knife 277 8.87 Portable site compressor 292
8.49 Hacking knife 278 8.88 Trailer-mounted site compressor 292
8.50 Shave hook 278 8.89 Electric demolition hammer with
8.51 Standard-type brush 278 moil point 293
xx LISTCopyright
OF FIGURES2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
8.90 Air breaker used for heavy work 293 9.10 Torpedo levels 320
8.91 Tilting drum mixer 294 9.11 Different length spirit levels (2.400, 2.000
8.92 Mobile horizontal drum mixer 294 and 1.200) 320
8.93 Inclined drum mixer with a capacity of 9.12 Marks called ‘gates’ on the spirit level
up to 8.0 m3 294 help to locate the position of the bubble 320
8.94 Mobile pan mixer with capacities of 9.13 (a) Straight edge and spirit level;
0.2 m3 to 1.5 m3 294 (b) an example of a straight edge 320
8.95 Section through the vibrating head of the 9.14 A digital level 321
poker vibrator 295 9.15 A digital angle level 321
8.96 Portable immersion vibrator (petrol-driven) 295 9.16 A laser level and a laser level with a
8.97 Petrol engine mounted on twin receiver on the staff 322
screedboards 296 9.17 A laser line level and a dot laser 322
8.98 Standard builder’s barrow 296 9.18 (a) Optical level; (b) Optical level eye
8.99 The ball barrow 296 piece and focus 322
8.100 The two-wheeled barrow with tilt-forward 9.19 (a) Tripod; (b) tripod dome top;
tray 296 (c) tripod level top 323
8.101 Various types of industrial vacuum 9.20 A survey staff 324
cleaners 297 9.21 Tape against a survey staff 324
8.102 Mobile cherry picker work platform 9.22 A four-fold rule 324
for safe access to difficult locations 298 9.23 (a) 10 m and 8 m tape; (b) 30 m tape 325
8.103 Light-weight mobile scaffolding 298 9.24 (a) Carpenter’s pencil; (b) crayons 325
8.104 Single ladder 299 9.25 (a) Chalk line; (b) chalk refills 325
8.105 Extension ladder 299 9.26 Hydrostatic/water level 329
8.106 Step ladder 299 9.27 Transferring heights using straight edge
8.107 Platform-type step ladder 299 and spirit level 330
8.108 Dual-purpose step/extension 300 9.28 Transferring heights using straight edge
8.109 Trestles – used with a plank to create and spirit level in multiple moves 331
a working platform 300 9.29 Straight edge and spirit level for plumb 331
8.110 Labelling faulty equipment 301 9.30 A blister level on an optical level 332
8.111 (a) Stiff straw or millet broom, 9.31 Setting up an optical level 332
(b) Stiff yard broom of straw or 9.32 Step 1 and Step 2 332
polypropylene, (c) Broad soft-bristle floor 9.33 Record the back sight observation in
broom of animal hair or polypropylene 302 a level book 333
9.1 A level line can be described as ‘any line 9.34 Step 5 333
parallel to the surface of still water’ 317 9.35 Record the fore sight and rise figure in
9.2 Example of cross hairs, showing top and the level book 333
bottom stadia lines 317 9.36 Step 7 333
9.3 Datum symbol 317 9.37 Record the second back sight observation
9.4 (a) State Survey Mark; (b) typical in the level book 334
benchmark symbol 318 9.38 Step 9 334
9.5 Example of Reduced Level (RL) 318 9.39 Record the second fore sight and fall
9.6 Boning rods 318 figure in the level book 334
9.7 Different sizes of plumb bobs 319 9.40 Check your observations are accurate and
9.8 (a) A line level; (b) a line level in use 319 are equal 334
9.9 A water level 319 9.41 Step 13 335
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCNLIST OF FIGURES
02-200-202 xxi
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
PART 1
BASIC WORKPLACE SKILLS
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
1 APPLY WHS REQUIREMENTS, POLICIES
AND PROCEDURES IN THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY
This chapter covers the outcomes required by the unit of competency ‘Apply WHS
requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry’. These outcomes are:
• work in a safe manner through identifying and assessing and controlling risks and hazards
• work in a safe manner through identifying, assessing and controlling hazardous materials
• planning and performance of safe work practices with concern for personal safety and the
safety of others.
The term ‘work health and safety (WHS)’, or occupational health and safety (OHS), is
used to describe a broad range of workplace practices covered under federal and state
laws. These aim to improve the standards of workplace health and safety. The ultimate goal
of these practices is to reduce the number of work-related injuries and to bring about a
healthier and safer working environment for everyone.
Building construction workers must be familiar with these workplace practices and
must understand their responsibilities; whether they are workers, employers or persons
conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs).
2
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-202
PART 1
Work-related injuries principal WHS Act sets out the requirements for
ensuring that workplaces are safe and healthy. These
The Work-related traumatic injury fatalities, Australia requirements spell out the duties of different groups of
2016 report from Safe Work Australia (2017) shows that people who play a role in workplace health and safety
from 2003 to 2016, 3414 Australians died while (see Table 1.3).
working. This means approximately 243 people died n South Australia was the first state to introduce
each year from work-related accidents. The construction
industry is the third-highest killer after agriculture and
legislation. In 1972 it introduced the Industrial Safety
and Welfare Act. In 1986 it enacted the Occupational
1
logistics. Construction accounted for 354 people from Health, Safety and Welfare Act, following the general
2007 to 2016 (Table 1.1). form of Victorian state legislation. Finally, on
The prevention of accidents in industry is not only 1 January 2013, South Australia adopted the model
the concern of experts, but of all workers, employers Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
and persons conducting a business or undertaking n In New South Wales, the Occupational Health and
(PCBUs). Employees must learn how to work without Safety Act was proclaimed in 1983. It was enacted
hurting themselves or endangering their colleagues. following the Williams Inquiry into health and safety
practices in the workplace. In 1987 major changes
were made to that Act. In 2001, that legislation gave
Origins of modern WHS legislation way to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000,
No 40. Later, New South Wales enacted the Work
To fully understand any piece of legislation, it is Health and Safety Act 2011.
important to appreciate the origins and reasons for the n Victoria introduced legislation in 1985 that became
law first being introduced. There were five main reasons the model for the rest of the country at the time.
for the development of work health and safety (WHS) Far-reaching social and industrial concepts
laws and these are outlined in Table 1.2. were incorporated into the legislation. Victoria
In Australia, prior to the implementation of the currently uses the Occupational Health and Safety
model Work Health and Safety Act 2011, each state and Act 2004.
territory had separate responsibility for making and n Western Australia introduced the Occupational
enforcing laws concerning WHS. By and large, each Health, Safety and Welfare Act in 1984. Currently the
TABLE 1.1 Worker fatalities: fatality rate (fatalities per 100 000 workers) by industry of employer, 2003, and 2012 to 2016
(sorted by 2016 rate)
Industry of employer 2003 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 10 year average
(2007–2016)
Agriculture, forestry & fishing 16.4 17.7 18.3 13.9 18.0 14.0 16.9
Transport, postal & warehousing 14.6 10.9 7.2 7.9 7.4 7.5 9.5
Electricity, gas, water & waste services 5.5 2.0 2.7 3.4 2.8 5.8 2.9
Construction 5.8 3.1 2.2 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.5
Mining 12.4 3.0 3.4 4.4 4.8 2.7 4.0
Arts & recreation services 2.1 2.4 3.4 4.8 3.1 2.2 2.9
Administrative & support services 1.2 1.5 1.3 1.0 1.9 1.8 2.2
Rental, hiring & real estate services 2.4 1.4 1.5 0.5 0.0 0.9 1.5
Other Services 0.9 0.7 1.5 0.8 1.7 0.8 1.0
Manufacturing 1.9 1.9 1.3 1.8 1.8 0.7 2.0
Public administration & safety 1.6 1.1 1.5 0.8 0.8 0.7 1.2
Information media & telecommunications 0.4 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.6
Retail trade 0.6 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.5
Health care & social assistance 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2
Education & training 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2
Professional, scientific & technical services 0.3 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.4
Wholesale trade 1.9 2.2 1.9 1.5 0.5 0.0 0.3
Accommodation & food services 0.8 0.1 0.3 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.1
Financial & insurance services 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5
Total 2.72 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.8 1.5 2.1
Source: Safe Work Australia ª Commonwealth of Australia 2018. CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
APPLY
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All RightsWHS REQUIREMENTS,
Reserved. POLICIES
May not be copied, AND
scanned, or PROCEDURES IN THE
duplicated, in whole or in CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
part. WCN 02-200-202 3
TABLE 1.2 Five reasons for the development of WHS laws
Self-regulation not working Allowing organisations to regulate their own WHS programs was not working; at one stage, over
500 people nationally were dying each year due to work-related accidents, injuries and diseases.
National and overseas legal There were efforts internationally as well as nationally to produce and then update existing
developments WHS legislation, to bring it into line with the twentieth-century working environment.
Many workers not covered When WHS legislation began, only approximately one-third of the workforce was covered.
Today all workers are covered.
Too much legislation Although only one-third of the workforce was covered by any WHS legislation at all, there were
up to 26 different Acts in one state alone relating to occupational/work health and safety.
Enforcement procedures for these Acts were a legal nightmare.
Cost of compensation Every year billions of dollars were spent on workplace compensation and rehabilitation for
those who had been injured at work. WHS legislation was introduced in conjunction with
worker’s compensation to provide for injured workers who were unable to work.
Work Health and Safety Bill 2014 is before Current WHS Acts
parliament and this bill will eventually result in a Today the industrial workplace in Australia is governed
new Act being created. by both federal and state legislation, followed by
n Tasmania first introduced legislation in 1977. The regulations and then codes of practice (see also
current Act is the Work Health and Safety Act 2012. Table 1.3). The main piece of legislation for all of
n Queensland first introduced legislation in 1989. The Australia is the model Work Health and Safety Act 2011
current Act is the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. (WHS Act). Laws and regulations provide a set of
n Northern Territory first introduced legislation in minimum standards for the protection and the health
1989. The current Act is the Work Health and Safety and safety of workers. Codes of practice demonstrate
(National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 [in force practical methods for undertaking the work safely.
1 May 2016] Safe Work Australia is the national body that works
n ACT first introduced the Occupational Health and to coordinate and develop policy, and assists in the
Safety Act 1989. The current Act is the Work Health implementation of the model Act. Safe Work Australia
and Safety Act 2011. seeks to build cooperation between the three groups
TABLE 1.3 Current state and territory WHS Acts and Regulations
State/ Current WHS act Current WHS regulation WHS regulating Website and contact number
territory authority
WA* Occupational Safety Occupational Safety WorkCover WA Website: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/
and Health Act 1984 and Health Regulations WorkSafe/
1996 Contact: 08 9327 8777
VIC* Occupational Health Occupational Health WorkSafe Victoria Website: http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au
and Safety Act 2004 and Safety Regulations Contact: 1800 136 089
2017
QLD Work Health and Work Health and Safety WorkCover Website: http://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/
Safety Act 2011 Regulations 2011 Queensland Contact: 1300 362 128
NSW Work Health and Work Health and Safety SafeWork NSW Website: http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/
Safety Act 2011 Regulations 2017 Contact: 13 10 50
SA Work Health and Work Health and Safety WorkCover SA Website: http://www.workcover.com
Safety Act 2012 Regulations 2012 Contact: 13 18 55
TAS Work Health and Work Health and Safety WorkCover TAS Website: http://www.workcover.tas.gov.au
Safety Act 2012 Regulations 2012 Contact: 1300 366 322
ACT Work Health and Work Health and Safety WorkSafe ACT Website: http://www.worksafe.gov.au
Safety Act 2011 Regulations 2011 Contact: 02 6207 3000
NT Work Health and Work Health and Safety NT WorkSafe Website: http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/
Safety (National (National Uniform Contact: 1800 019 115
Uniform Legislation) Legislation) Regulations
Act 2011 [in force 1 2011 [in force 21
May 2016] August 2019]
*Western Australia and Victoria have not yet implemented the model Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Western Australia is currently
consulting on options for implementing elements of the model Act.
General construction induction training LEARNING TASK 1.1 GROUP ACTIVITY – LICENCES
The Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 Using the information in Table 1.3, visit the website
(Commonwealth) requires workers to complete general of the regulating authority for your state or territory and
construction induction training before they can carry out search for ‘Code of practice – asbestos’. Using this
construction work. document, complete the following three (3) questions.
General construction induction training provides basic 1 What type of licence is required to remove
knowledge of construction work, the WHS laws that apply, ‘any amount of friable and non-friable
common hazards likely to be encountered in construction asbestos or Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM)’?
work and how the associated risks can be controlled.
..........................................................................
Source: Comcare ª Commonwealth of Australia 2018. CC BY 4.0
Interantional (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) 2 What type of licence is required to remove ‘any
On completion of a WHS general construction amount of non-friable asbestos ONLY or Asbestos-
induction training session, a worker will be issued with Containing Material (ACM)’?
a statement that outlines the training they have ..........................................................................
received, identifies the training body, identifies the 3 If your state or territory allows: What is the
training assessor and the date of the assessment. maximum amount of non-friable asbestos or
Although introducing a nationally consistent associated Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM)
construction induction card has been discussed, each that may be removed without a licence?
jurisdiction or state/territory differs and provides their
own particular card. All cards must show the ................................................................... m2.
cardholder’s name, the date training was completed, the
number of the registered training organisation (RTO) authorities to accept WHS induction cards from other
providing the training, the jurisdiction in which it was states and territories; as long as the training meets
issued and a unique identifying number. existing standards for currency.
As each state/territory provides their own card (see The card should be carried on-site at all times and
Figures 1.2–1.5), there has been a mutual agreement produced on demand for inspection.
between the applicable state and territory regulating
APPLY
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All RightsWHS REQUIREMENTS,
Reserved. POLICIES
May not be copied, AND
scanned, or PROCEDURES IN THE
duplicated, in whole or in CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
part. WCN 02-200-202 5
Source: WorkSafe Victoria
Cardholder Signature:
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
CONSTRUCTION
Work Safe
INDUCTION Victoria
The cardholder is registered under the Occupational Health
VICTORIA
and Safety (OHS) Regulations 2007 to perform construction
work, having completed general OHS induction training for
the construction industry.
Registration No.: DOB:
State Government
Issued: Victoria
Issuing Authoriy WorkSafe Victoria
SAMPLE Issued under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007
Report lost or stolen cards, or change of address to WorkSafe. Tel: 1800 136 089 worksafe.vic.gov.au
FIGURE 1.2 Construction Induction Card sample as issued in Victoria (post 1 July 2008)
Source: Workplace Health & Safety Qld
intention.
By definition, an accident is when something
CO happens unexpectedly, without design, or by chance.
ON N
TI An accident may cause injury, death, damage or
A
SU
LT
destruction.
LT
SU
01 Identiry Know
nr
AT
isk
CON
s
Assess
an
risks recognise the hazard and then rate the level of risk (risk
dc
ontr
CO
NS
TA
risks
UL
UL TA
TIO What are the hazards? Consider the following:
NS
CO N n hearing damage
n foreign objects being thrown into the eyes
n back strain
n breathing in timber dust
FIGURE 1.6 The risk management process
n amputating a hand or fingers.
Each of the above need to be considered using the
Hazards matrix diagram; however we will look at ‘Amputating a
A hazard is anything in the workplace that has the hand or finger’ only in our example.
potential to injure, harm, damage, kill or destroy people, So, ask the first question; how serious will an
property or plant and equipment. Note the important accident be if I put my hand through the saw? Multiple,
word is potential; this means that a hazard is not only Fatality, Major, Serious, Minor or Negligible? The
something that has caused damage or injury, but answer is most likely ‘Serious’ or ‘Major’.
includes anything that can possibly do damage or Now the second question; how likely is an accident
injury. to occur? Well, with no training, impaired visibility
Hazards can include objects in the workplace, such because you are squatting over the top of the saw and
as machinery or chemicals; they also include work the fact that you are more concerned about your back
APPLY
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All RightsWHS REQUIREMENTS,
Reserved. POLICIES
May not be copied, AND
scanned, or PROCEDURES IN THE
duplicated, in whole or in CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
part. WCN 02-200-202 7
Source: Small Business Development Corporation, Government of Western Australia
Minor
First-aid treatment 1 1 2 3 4 5
Moderate financial loss
Serious
Medical treatment required
High financial loss, Moderate
environmental implications, 2 2 4 6 8 10
Moderate loss of reputation,
Moderate business
interruption
Major
Excessive multiple long-
term injuries, Major financial
loss, High environmental 3 3 6 9 12 15
implications, Major loss of
reputation, Major
business interruption
Fatality
Single death 4 4 8 12 16 20
Multiple
Multiple deaths and serious 5 5 10 15 20 25
long-term injuries
Legend
0 N No Risk: The costs to treat the risk are disproportionately high compared to the negligible
consequences.
1–3 L Low Risk: May require consideration in any future changes to the work area or processes, or
can be fixed immediately.
4–6 M Moderate: May require corrective action through planning and budgeting process.
8–13 H High: Requires immediate corrective action.
15–25 E Extreme: Requires immediate prohibition of the work, process and immediate corrective action.
hurting all the time, then it all adds up to being ‘Certain’ Workplace hazards
that you will do damage. Some of the more common hazards that influence
So, using the matrix and plotting the result, the health and safety in the workplace are:
answer would be either Gold (level 10) ‘High requiring n lifting and handling materials
immediate corrective action’ or Red (level 15) ‘Extreme – n falls – of objects and people
requires immediate prohibition of the work and n machinery – power and hand tools
immediate corrective action’. n chemicals and airborne dust
So, what can be done to control the hazard and risk? n noise
Very simply, place the saw on a saw stand and be n vibration
trained on how to use the saw correctly. This will n thermal discomfort (too hot or cold)
reduce the likelihood of harm to ‘Rare’. Now check the n illumination (visibility)
result on the matrix and it should be a level 2 or 3. n fire and explosions.
HAZARDS
LIQUIDS
Snake bite Electricity CCA treatment Confined spaces Fatigue
and Paint mists
Sharp materials
APPLY
Copyright 2020 Cengage Learning. All RightsWHS REQUIREMENTS,
Reserved. POLICIES
May not be copied, AND
scanned, or PROCEDURES IN THE
duplicated, in whole or in CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
part. WCN 02-200-202 9
CC BY 4.0 Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: Safe Work Australia ª Commonwealth of Australia.
n Toxic chemicals – a large number of chemicals are
toxic or poisonous. The effects of chemicals on your HIGHEST MOST
health are difficult to identify at the source of
Eliminate risks
exposure. Often the symptoms appear in parts of the
body far removed from the point of absorption or
Elimination
COMPLETE WORKSHEET 1 One of the most common methods of risk elimination
on a construction site is to reduce the amount of work
carried out at height on ladders. By using an approved
Hazard control procedures scaffold system workers are able to carry out tasks
Once the hazard has been identified and its potential without risk of falling.
to do damage is measured, the hazard needs to be Substitution
controlled. This means the hazard is eliminated or
Substitution occurs when a hazardous material is
in some way lessened or reduced. This may be done
replaced by a safer, less hazardous or non-hazardous
in a number of different ways as seen in Figure 1.9. In
material. A common example in the construction
many cases, more than one control method must be
industry is the substitution of asbestos cement
used to control a hazard. Various methods should be
sheeting and other asbestos containing materials
considered. The order of preference for controlling
(ACMs) by the less hazardous fibre cement
hazards is known as the ‘Hierarchy of hazard
sheeting.
controls’.
Identify hazards
FIGURE 1.10 Circular saw fitted with a guard To decide what PPE and clothing is required, you must
first be able to identify the hazards involved. Types of
Temporary fencing and barricades hazards commonly identified where PPE and clothing
are a suitable means of protection are:
Prior to starting any work, the area needs to be isolated
n physical hazards – noise, thermal, vibration, repetitive
to stop other workers and/or the general public from
strain injury (RSI), manual and radiation hazards
entering into the work area. This is achieved by the use
n chemical hazards – dusts, fumes, solids, liquids,
of temporary fencing and physical barricades. These are
mists, gases and vapours.
covered in greater detail in Chapter 3.
Safety helmets
Wearing safety helmets on construction sites may
prevent or lessen a head injury from falling or swinging
objects, or through striking a stationary object.
Safety helmets must be worn on construction sites
when:
n it is possible that a person may be struck on the
head by a falling object FIGURE 1.12 Fabric sun brim accessory for a safety cap and
n a person may strike his/her head against a fixed or bucket hat
protruding object
n accidental head contact may be made with electrical Eyes/face protection
hazards The design of eye and face protection is specific to the
n carrying out demolition work application. It must conform to AS/NZS 1337.1 Eye
n instructed by the person in control of the workplace. protectors for industrial applications. The hazards to the
Safety helmets must comply with AS/NZS 1801 eyes are of three categories:
Occupational protective helmets, and must carry the AS 1 physical – dust, flying particles or objects, molten
or AS/NZS label, and must be used in accordance with metals
AS/NZS 1800 Occupational protective helmets – 2 chemicals – liquid splashes, gases and vapours,
Selection, care and use (Figure 1.11). dusts
3 radiation – sun, laser, welding flash.
Source: iStock.com/malerapaso
Face shields
Face shields give full face protection, as well as eye
protection. They are usually worn when carrying out FIGURE 1.16 Face shield
grinding and chipping operations, when using power
Source: iStock.com/IgorSokolov
tools on timber. Shields are worn for full-face protection
when welding (Figure 1.15). The shield may come
complete with head harness (Figure 1.16) or be designed
for fitting to a safety helmet.
Source: iStock.com/Andrew_Mayovskyy
FIGURE 1.18 Mini dust mask warning: For nuisance dust only Gloves
Gloves are used to protect hands and arms from both
Source: Shutterstock.com/Rob Byron
Creams
Barrier creams may be used when gloves are too
restrictive, to protect the hands from the effects of
cement and similar low-toxic hazards (see Figure 1.22).
Foot protection
It is mandatory to wear protective footwear at the
workplace at all times. Thongs are not permitted at any
time. Footwear should conform to AS/NZS 2210.1
Safety, protective and occupational footwear guide to
FIGURE 1.20 Half-face respirator with P2 class dust filters fitted
selection, care and use.
Prohibition signs
These signs indicate that this is something you must not
do: red circle border with cross bar through it, white
background and black symbol (see Table 1.4, Figure 1.27
and Figure 1.28).
Source: Shutterstock.com/northallertonman
FIGURE 1.25 Word-only messages
Source: iStock.com/DNY59
1
Fire, naked flame and smoking
prohibited
2. Restriction signs 6. Hazard warning signs
Source: Shutterstock.com/iunewind
FIGURE 1.30 Hearing protection must be worn FIGURE 1.34 Danger signs
Source: Shutterstock.com/Walther S
Fire signs
These tell you the location of fire alarms and fire-
fighting facilities: red solid square, white symbol
(Table 1.4 and Figure 1.37).
Sometimes a safety sign is required to be placed on
a piece of equipment to indicate a problem or potential
FIGURE 1.33 Electric shock hazard hazard if the machine is switched on. This is usually in
the form of a tag.
COMPLETE WORKSHEET 4
>>
FIGURE 1.39 Page 1 of a sample SDS
Any hazardous material being delivered to a substance you are going to use or will be exposed to
construction site should have an SDS for the product when someone else uses it, make sure you obtain a
provided at the site before it is delivered. These sheets copy and read it first. If any special training is required
need to be kept on-site and should not be more than you should complete the training before the material is
three years old. If you have not read the SDS for a handled.
Language: English
By BASIL LUBBOCK
AUTHOR OF "ROUND THE HORN BEFORE THE MAST"
LONDON
1906
PRINTED BY
HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD.,
LONDON AND AYLESBURY.
PREFACE
I have endeavoured in this book to paint sea life as it really is, as it
can be seen on any deep-water sailing-ship of the present day,
without glossing over the hardships, the hard knocks, the hard
words, and the continual struggle and strife of it all. At the same time
I have tried to hint at the glamour and fascination which the sea
breathes into such souls as respond to its mighty call.
As to the queer collection of flotsam which found itself in the down-
easter's foc's'le, I can assure my readers that this mixed crowd is in
no way unusual; in fact, I am quite certain that the greater number of
sailing ships "bound deep water" at the present moment are manned
by crews of an even worse mixture of nationalities, trades, and
creeds than formed the complement of the Higgins, which, for a ship
sailing out of San Francisco, when seamen were scarce, was
singularly lucky in finding so many bona-fide sailormen amongst her
crew.
My reader may ask if the brutality described still goes on on
American ships. All I can say is that several of the Yankee Cape
Horn fleet are still notorious for it, their officers excusing themselves
on the plea that only by the harshest measures can they preserve
discipline amongst the hard-cut citizens of all nations who form
American crews.
Many of the episodes in this book, including the cowpuncher's
frontier yarns, I have taken from fact, and the treatment of the knifing
dago by the bucko mate in Chapter IV. actually occurred in every
detail.
As regards the moon-blindness, I have no doubt I shall have to bear
with many scoffers and unbelievers, but this I know, that few men
who have been used to sleeping in the open, whether sailors or
landsmen, will be amongst them. Many a time have I hauled a
sleeping man out of the glare of the tropical moon for fear of its
direful beams, and many a time have I had the like service done to
me. Few old seamen but have some strange yarn to spin anent the
strange effects of the moon upon the human countenance exposed
to its sinister rays: in most cases it is some hours' or some days'
moon-blindness; sometimes it is a queer contraction of the muscles
on the side of the face exposed; and I have even heard of cases of
idiocy put down to the same cause. Certain it is that the cold beams
of our world's satellite are not to be trusted. Why, do they not even
poison fish or meat if left exposed to the mercy of their baleful glitter?
I must apologise for the sentimental part of this book, but apparently
in a work of fiction a certain amount of sentiment is considered
necessary, even in a sea yarn. However, if my reader finds it not to
his taste, he can skip. We've all learnt to do that, some time or other.
BASIL LUBBOCK.
CONTENTS
PART I
CHAPTER I
"THE YANKEE
HELL-SHIP" 3
CHAPTER II
"THE RULE
OF THE
BELAYING-
PIN" 13
CHAPTER III
"THE USE OF
A SHEATH-
KNIFE" 27
CHAPTER IV
"BARBARISM" 37
CHAPTER V
"IN THE
WATCHES OF
THE NIGHT" 48
CHAPTER VI
"THE FATAL
RED LEAD" 59
CHAPTER VII
"IN THE
SECOND
DOG-WATCH" 75
CHAPTER VIII
"ON THE 89
FOC'S'LE
HEAD"
CHAPTER IX
"THE GLORY
OF THE
STARS" 99
CHAPTER X
"STUDPOKER
BOB'S
MALADY" 109
CHAPTER XI
"THE
STORMFIEND" 118
CHAPTER XII
"A CALL FOR
NERVE" 132
CHAPTER XIII
"THE MAN
WITH THE
GUN" 143
PART II
CHAPTER I
"ADRIFT" 157
CHAPTER II
"THE
OCMULGEE" 167
CHAPTER III
"THE
BURNING OF
THE SOUTH
SEAMAN" 179
CHAPTER IV
"THE OPEN
BOAT" 194
CHAPTER V
"THE SPELL
OF THE
MOON" 209
CHAPTER VI
"THE ATOLL" 218
CHAPTER VII
"LOYOLA" 230
CHAPTER VIII
"THE FIGHT
ON THE
SANDS" 239
CHAPTER IX
"THE
LYNCHING" 253
CHAPTER X
"THE BLACK
ADDER" 272
CHAPTER XI
"A SEA FIGHT
UNDER THE
STARS" 291
CHAPTER XII
"THE PLUCK
OF WOMAN" 303
CHAPTER XIII
"PAPEETE" 318
PART I
CHAPTER I
"THE YANKEE HELL-SHIP"
Bucking Broncho awoke to the familiar cry of "Roll out, roll
out, show a leg!" and thinking it was the call of the Round Up Boss in
the early morning, he opened his eyes and sat up.
The sight that met his gaze considerably astonished him, and the
foc's'le, with its double row of bunks, its stuffy atmosphere, and its
swinging oil-lamp, he mistook for some mining-camp shanty.
Slowly his half-shut eyes took in the details of the gloomy den, into
which the grey light of dawn had as yet hardly penetrated.
Round him lay men in every condition of drunkenness, some prone
upon the deck, others hanging half in and half out of their bunks, all
apparently still in the stupors of a late carouse.
Stretched upon a chest right under his bunk lay a ghastly object
clothed in greasy, blood-stained rags, which but for its hoarse rattling
breathing he would have taken for a corpse.
From the bunk above him came a spasmodic grunt at intervals,
sudden and unexpected, whilst opposite him a cadaverous-looking
deadbeat in a miner's shirt whistled discordantly through a hawk-like,
fiery-tinted nose.
As his eyes grew accustomed to the dim light he discovered other
forms scattered in a variety of grotesque attitudes amongst the litter
of chests and sea-bags on the deck, and through the open door he
beheld a man, in a pair of overalls, sluicing himself with a bucket of
water.
Then a gigantic form with a hairy face of kindly aspect blocked up
the doorway, and in hurricane tones besought the snoring crowd to
tumble up and man the capstan. Advancing into the foc's'le, this
leather-lunged apparition coolly and methodically began to haul the
insensible scarecrows out of their bunks, and to shake them until
their teeth rattled.
"Say, stranger, whatever's the hock kyard to all this? What be you-
alls aimin' for to do?" inquired Bucking Broncho in his soft Western
drawl, as he watched the big man handling the drunks.
"Just you tumble out, my son, and get outside, or you'll reap a skinful
of trouble. You'll get the hang o' things quick enough by-and-by,"
returned the other shortly.
"I'm clean stampeded in my intellec' complete," declared the cowboy;
"but assuming you're the boss of this outfit, your word goes; I plays
your hand, stranger, an' I rolls out."
The big, hairy-faced man was too busy pushing, pommelling,
thumping, and hustling the rest of the inmates to take any more
notice of Bucking Broncho, who, gaining the door, stared round in
amazement as he found himself upon the deck of a large sailing-
ship.
The cowpuncher, who had only seen "blue water" on two occasions
in his life, had been shanghaied aboard the notorious Yankee
skysail-yard clipper Silas K. Higgins, the hottest hell-ship under the
Stars and Stripes.
The last of the wheat fleet, this vessel had been lying at anchor in
San Francisco Bay for some weeks, delayed from sailing for want of
a crew, which her bad name made impossible for her to get except
by foul means.
With lavish hands her "old man" scattered his blood-money amongst
the boarding-house runners and crimps, and then patiently awaited
the result.
Slowly but surely his crew began to arrive, heels first to a man, some
drugged, some sandbagged, some set upon and kidnapped along
the water-front.
Night after night boats sneaked up to the gangway grating and
deposited insensible bundles of rags, which the ghoulish traders in
blood callously slung aboard.
But before signing the note, the experienced mate took care to
ascertain if his new hand still breathed, for more than once in the
past he had had dead men palmed off upon him. Then, if satisfied
after his careful scrutiny, he ordered the watchman to drag the
shanghaied man forward whilst he ticked off Able-bodied Seaman
Jones or Smith, whichever name happened to come first on his list.
The Higgins had been waiting two days for her last man when
Bucking Broncho fell a victim to the manhunters.
The cowpuncher, discovered in Chinatown busy celebrating his first
night off the prairie, was pounced upon by these vultures as "an easy
thing." Skilfully they drugged him, cheerfully they possessed
themselves of his wad of notes, then, overcome by the humour of
the idea, instead of substituting the trade rags for his clothes as
usual in shanghai-ing men, they slung him aboard an hour after
midnight in all the glory of chaps and spurs.
Thus, with her complement gained at last, the Higgins was about to
get under weigh.
Wholly oblivious of the events of the past night, thanks to the
strength of the dope, with buzzing head and half-fuddled senses the
cowboy stood gazing stupidly at the scene before him.
"I'm shorely plumb locoed," he muttered. "What for of a play is this
I'm into?"
Overhearing this, the man sluicing himself turned round.
"Bit muzzy still, mate——" he began, and then stopped in surprise.
This man formed a big contrast to the broken-looking crowd in the
foc's'le.
As he stood there in the morning light, stripped as he was to the
waist, he looked the beau ideal of health: the muscles on his arms
and shoulders stretched the skin till it shone, and heightened the
artistic effect of the beautiful Japanese tattooing which, in the shape
of dragons, butterflies, Geisha girls, and other quaint designs, made
a picture gallery of his body.
Six foot high at least, he stood lightly on his feet with the careless
grace of one used to a heaving deck.
A peculiar look of devil-may-care good nature stamped his clean-cut,
deeply tanned features, yet there was a keen glint of shrewdness in
his blue eyes, decision in his firm chin and resolute lips, with just a
touch of martial fierceness in the twirl of his small moustache.
No tenderfoot this man, though there was no mistaking his
nationality. "A d——d Britisher" was written large all over him. Bare-
footed though he was, in well-worn dungarees, with leather belt and
sheath-knife, his birth was plain as his nationality.
In England they would use one word to describe him—the one word
"rolling-stone"; but in the world not one but a dozen words would be
required—frontiersman, sailor, soldier, gold-miner, cowboy, hunter,
scout, prospector, explorer, and many more, all marked "dangerous"
in the catalogue of professions, for the "rolling-stone" takes to
dangers and hardships just as a city man does to dollars and
comforts. And who shall lay the blame? It's all in the blood, whether
you take your strain from Francis Drake the buccaneer or Shylock
the Jew.
Such was the man who faced Broncho—just a British rolling-stone, a
modern freelance, a sea rover.
As he spoke, Bucking Broncho gave him a keen look, and then cried
out:
"I'm a coyote if it ain't Derringer Jack. Shake, old pard, you-alls ain't
shorely forget Bucking Broncho?"
"Think I'd forget an old pal like that; no, Broncho, so sure as you
remember me."
"Which I shorely does. I makes a bet I tells them brands o' yours on
the skyline."
As they gripped hands Jack Derringer remarked:
"You've strayed a long way off your range, Broncho; shanghaied, I
suppose? Well, you've run against bad luck here. It's a rough deal
aboard this ship."
"What for of a game is it?"
"Quien sabe? Pretty tough, I expect, old man; you're a sailor outward
bound——"
"The hell you say!"
"Yes; I'll watch your hand as well as I can, but, mind you, Broncho,
no gun-play whatever happens, or you'll reap more lead than if you'd
got the whole of the Tucson Stranglers on your trail."
"I shorely notes your play, Jack; I'm the last gent to go fosterin' idees
of bloodshed. This here deadfall draws the cinch some tight an'
painful, but you can gamble I ain't going to plunge none before the
draw; I'll just watch the deal a whole lot."
"That's bueno! Roll a small loop and don't stir up the range more'n
you can help; trouble comes a-hooping and don't need looking for.
How are you feeling after that poisoned grog?"
"Pretty rocky," replied the cowpuncher.
"Stuff your head into that," said the rover, pointing to the bucket of
water which he had drawn a short while before.
"I guess you had better get out of those buckskins," he went on
gravely, as Broncho tried the saltwater cure. "Bit of boarding-house
runner's wit sending you aboard in them; but I'll fit you out. I expect
you've only got the usual rag-bag, like the rest."
"Seems to me I've got my horns locked in a re-ather tough
proposition. I shore aims to be resigned. The ways of Providence is
that various an' spreadeagle that as a man of savvy I comes in blind
an' stands pat," remarked the cowboy, as they retired into the
foc's'le.
Perhaps before he gets rid of his cowpuncher attire for the blue
dungarees of the 'fore-mast Jack, a short description might be
welcome.
He was arrayed in full cowboy get-up, just as he had ridden into
Frisco. He wore a fringed and silk-ornamented buckskin shirt, deeply
fringed leather chaparegos, and long-heeled cowpuncher boots, on
which jingled great Mexican spurs. Round his neck he had the usual
gay silk handkerchief, and on his head a brand new Stetson hat.
A loose belt full of cartridges swung a 45-calibre revolver low down
upon his hip. This had evidently been overlooked by the crimps, and,
at a glance from Jack Derringer, he hastily tucked it under his shirt
out of sight.
In appearance Bucking Broncho was a man of medium height, with
good shoulders, none too square, but broad enough.
He was lean and muscular, with the firm flesh of a man in perfect
health and training. There was not an ounce of fat on his whole body.
His skin was darkened and toughened by long contact with wind,
sun, and alkali.
His eyes were of that blue-grey so often seen in men of cool nerve,
who, though used to danger and ready to dare anything, are yet
long-headed and full of resource. He kept them half-shut from long
squinting in the bright sun of the south-west.
His rather heavy moustache had been sunburnt and bleached to a
raw gold colour.
It took but a short time to convert the cowboy into the sailor in flannel
shirt and overalls, with a belt, minus revolver and cartridges, but with
a sailor's sheath-knife instead.
Whilst he was changing his attire, being lavishly supplied with
clothes from Jack Derringer's big sea-chest, his head was fast
clearing and the drugging was losing its stupefying effect.
Calmly he reviewed the situation, and, used to the vicissitudes of the
West, treated his change of fortune with the stoical philosophy of a
frontiersman.
By the time that Broncho was arrayed afresh, the last of the poor
drunks had been dragged from the foc's'le. Then, as Jack and the
cowboy emerged, they came face to face with a big square chunk of
a man, with eyebrows so thick and bushy that they almost hid his
fierce, bloodshot little eyes.