An Exploration Study of Compressed Air Work

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION This is an exploratory study of compressed air work; the author attempted to discern some of the relationships between working in compressed air and the total social life of the individual worker. The investigation was restricted to a study of Sandhogs, the men who burrow tunnels. These men are members of Local 147, Compressed Air, Free Air, Foundation, Tunnel, Caisson, Cylinder, Subway, Cofferdam, Sewer Construction Workers\u27 Union. The author sought the following information: 1) nature of compressed air tunneling; 2) organization of Local 147; and 3) possible relationships between compressed air work and the sociological and social-psychological aspects of the worker\u27s life. This information was obtained from a study of union documents, from interviews with the President and Business Agent of Local 147, and from interviews with five Sandhogs. The men interviewed were selected because they were: 1) willing to cooperate, and 2) able to contribute their own ideas concerning the problem. Detailed information regarding the interviews is contained in Appendix 1. The only hypothesis that guided this research was the following: Working in compressed air would have an effect on the structure of the work situation and on the total social life of the worker. It was assumed that the dangerous nature of compressed air work would be an important factor. The purpose of the study was to obtain information which would be the source of testable hypotheses