The Rasmussen men, of Tom Price, like to keep things in the family. Father, Brian Rasmussen has been a boilermaker with Pilbara Iron since he and his young family moved to Tom Price from Queensland nineteen years ago. Brian’s son Ian, now sixteen, is one of 73 youngsters who have joined the company in this year's record apprentice intake.
Boilermaking was a priority occupation for researchers involved in an innovative heat study project organised last month by Pilbara Health, in conjunction with the University of Western Australia and Curtin University. The study will help to create a process for predicting the risk of heat stress in specific working environments.
Final results are currently being compiled by occupational health specialists Graham Bates, from Curtin, and Susan Rice, from UWA, who observed that many people were dehydrated even before their shift began.
Understanding how to work safely in a high risk environment has been a priority for Ian during his early weeks of induction. "I knew a little about the job from Dad but I am looking forward to learning much more," he said.
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