Working in Scandinavia in winter

[LeeGray]

After hearing on the radio yesterday about a place in Norway where the sun has now set till middle of January I was wondering how outside workers get on. Does everyone shut up and just enjoy the time off, workshop projects etc and make the most of the endless summer days or just muddle on with lights, proper set ups for night working? Find it fascinating that this happens not that far from us. Any experience?

[trigger_andy]

1 hour ago, LeeGray said:

After hearing on the radio yesterday about a place in Norway where the sun has now set till middle of January I was wondering how outside workers get on. Does everyone shut up and just enjoy the time off, workshop projects etc and make the most of the endless summer days or just muddle on with lights, proper set ups for night working? Find it fascinating that this happens not that far from us. Any experience?

I work in Norway, although rarely on-shore but on the Oil Rigs so my input might be limited.  I still have a house in Stavanger and Im over here right now as I have a few days to work in the office. 

 

I sometimes work off of Hammerfest and have a job coming up there soon. Yes, its dark all the time now, and bloody freezing. The Norgies just work around it. Keep the same hours etc. Airports dont close at the first flurry of snow like in the UK. The Law is in the Winter you must use Winter Tyres, studded tyres are optional but I love them so people can carry on regardless of the weather. 

[LeeGray]

Do the days feel long? I imagine  constant darkness outside must be hard going on your head.

[trigger_andy]

1 hour ago, LeeGray said:

Do the days feel long? I imagine  constant darkness outside must be hard going on your head.

12-16  hour shifts for 15 to 21 days straight feel long enough as it is to worry about if there is light outside or not.  We work a 24 hour crew anyway, so from September till March (roughly) its constant dark for those that are on Night-shift anyway. The only really annoying this is not being able to see as well. So we all wear Head Torches everywhere. Of course the rigs have lights but if you're in a Tool Basket ior Container its pitch black. 

[topchippyles]

Some people go and take a few weeks holiday because it can drive them loopy in total darkness for weeks on end.watched a documentary on this a while ago on sky.

[LeeGray]

£ is a strong motivator I guess. Tough work though, I’ve done 12 hour nights before and found it hard going even inside. Mind hardest bit was driving past the pub everyone else was in at 8 o clock on a Friday night on the the way to work.

[trigger_andy]

Just now, LeeGray said:

£ is a strong motivator I guess. Tough work though, I’ve done 12 hour nights before and found it hard going even inside. Mind hardest bit was driving past the pub everyone else was in at 8 o clock on a Friday night on the the way to work.

Good money in Norway too. The unions are bloody strong so the companys cant rape you. We get a bonus each day we're there and a night-shift hardship bonus which doubles that. Every hour over 12 hours is an extra £100 and if we get less than 30 minutes for lunch we get another £100.  After day 15 its £1000 a day. Holidays is an extra £250 a day, anmd Norway has many. So if you do a 16 hour day on a public holiday and miss lunch after day 15 you've made over £2000 for a knackering days work. 

 

We work 4 weeks on 4 weeks off. If they ask you to work in yiour off-period you can say no, but each day in your off-period is classed as a day after 15 days. Money to be made if you like working like a slave.  

 

[LeeGray]

Any jobs going?

[trigger_andy]

2 minutes ago, LeeGray said:

Any jobs going?

Hens teeth these days.  Im one of only two Scottish lads left. Norgies have managed to squeeze the rest out.

[westphalian]

I’ve spent a couple of short periods of time north of arctic circle,-26 no sun. It’s not pitch black as the snow brightens a little. Made me realise that people just get on with it. I have enjoyed winters here more for that experience