How long has this construction been going on? Years? Yes there would be time windows where you could not weld. Unless, you erected walls and had sufficient ventilation to continue to work. If JB is using that as an excuse for limited production on #1 (as opposed to being down for 2 months or so), then he is making it up as he goes.
If the systems share piping, then yes they have to do the required "tie-ins" with existing systems. And they havve to establish a safe work environment, with sufficient shielding and ventilation. Of course, the piping has to be isolated. ANd yes production could not ne happening while the tie-in was being performed. We are talking days or weeks.
But then you can carry on with the rest of the construciton of #2 and #1 could be effectively isolated from it. Temporary walls could be erected and ventilation used to keep the area free of fumes.
I am not a welder and do not know whether the above (isolationn walls, ventilation would work). I don't even know who ensures that safe practises are followed on the site. I suppose that is part of the building permitting process. In the environments I am in it is a unionized environment. Workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. We have meetings and discuss safety every day at 7:30 AM. If you don't work safely you get written up and eventually fired.
My impression of JBI is that it is a bunch of guys trying to get a cylinder off of a truck with 3 forklifts risking their very lives, in case it rolls on them or something. A bunch of guys throwing it together. Under those circumstances... who knows what is going on.
One thing is always true... time is money. The basics of construction are that once the docision is made to proceed, they get it done as fast as is safely possible. That includes planning efficient use of the work area, having as much concurrent work as possible... use of safety shielding and ventilation, isolation, all of those things.
JBI sounds like a bunch of rank amateurs.
Bottom line... building #2 wold take out #1 for a month or two, nothing more.
Management...
