Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Music on job sites?

Options
Mark Hunt
Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,909
I was working on a job yesterday, an addition to a home on Sacandaga Lake. The framer had an MP3 player going and suddenly there was a rap song that was FILLED with the "F" word. It was the refrain for the song!

The customers, an older couple, were home and had to be hearing this junk. I told him to shut it off.

What policy do you folks have regarding music on work sites?


Mark H

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=238&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>
«1

Comments

  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,884
    Options
    I think

    Music is acceptable as long as ..

    - It is kept at a level where converasations can be kept without yelling. Conversation are key on a jobsite. Yelling to be heard and not understanding conversation can be a safty issiue.

    - Music is not offensive to anyone Most importantly to the owner. ( I would argue that country music is offensive but would probable loose that argument ).

    - Kept at a proper level music can increase job performance.

    Old Man Milne

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    Options
    TURN IT OFF!

  • DaveC
    DaveC Member Posts: 201
    Options
    I used to work with a guy...

    who's #1 priority was setting up his boombox when we arrived at the job. He'd play the same songs, over and over - all of it was the newest garbage, you know stuff that's here today, gone tomorrow... No one was allowed to turn it down or change it, and trying to communicate was impossible. Naturally, we all have our own tastes, but I prefer no tunes to that. Depends where you're working too - a residence should be given more respect. I tend to whistle, and have had guys complain to the boss many times in the past over that. So we all do things that are rude, I guess.
  • Jeff Lawrence_24
    Jeff Lawrence_24 Member Posts: 593
    Options
    music

    I like Country music. I also like to listen to talk radio because it makes me think. I do NOT listen to music with offensive lyrics.

    I usually ask the home owner if it's okay to play the radio and I usually ask the home owner if it's okay to play the radio.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Geno_15
    Geno_15 Member Posts: 158
    Options
    Safety

    This also a safety issue. If you need to yell out " Watch Out" you can't. It should first be asked of the home owner if it's o.k. You are on their turf. Second as stated earlier the sound level must be kept to a conversation level so you can hear each other. Not to mention it's rude.
  • Darin Cook_3
    Darin Cook_3 Member Posts: 389
    Options
    No enjoyment allowed

    I get tired of listening to all of the right wing rhetoric on talk radio that others play. If you say to turn it off, I get called unpatriotic. If I play my favorite Dixie Chicks CD, They try to run me off the jobsite. Leave the radio at home!!!!!
  • ernie_3
    ernie_3 Member Posts: 191
    Options
    tunes

    I used to work w' guys, (the owners) who liked to listen to Howard Stern on installations. I didn't like it because he's a jerk. I respect the entrepenurial capitalistic approach he's taken but I choose to tune him out. I told the bosses it was offensive to customers and they didn't care. Well...one install, w' Stern gabbing away, Mrs. Homeowner came to the basement as Stern was discussing anal sex. That was the end of 'Stern on the job site.' I may be in the minority because I like Country music. I'm an owner now (for another few weeks, anyway) and very low contemporary Country music graces my job site. I feel if it's not offensive either in lyric or noise level it's a welcome part of the installation.
  • jackchips_2
    jackchips_2 Member Posts: 1,338
    Options
    Ah, drinking

    a little to much Glycol there Bob?

    :-))
  • tommyoil
    tommyoil Member Posts: 613
    Options
    never leave home without it

    While I listen to stern, the king of all media, I don't do it on the job. Its sort of like having a beer, I may enjoy it on my own time but not on the job. Music is fine sans the F word. We dont blast the volume and if it becomes objectionable we fake that we're offended and change the channel if the customer happens to be hovering. I don't work with children or women or prudes.I work with MEN who are all familiar with the big words. Music has always made the time go by a little faster and the work environment a little more enjoyable. We have never had a problem or even so much as a negative comment in 25 years. Considering most of the places we all have to work, be it filthy basements or crawlspaces, anything to help pass the time is a plus. As far as it being a safety issue, c'mon now. I dont have a live band in the basement blasting at a billion decibles. Its a radio at an acceptable volume. If you think its a safety issue, make sure the next time you buy a car, buy the only one in the world without a radio. A radio in the car may jeopardize your familys safety. Leave the radio on,and, like everything else in life, with good judgement of course. If its a moral crime I'll stop at church on the way home.Amen !
  • Ken D.
    Ken D. Member Posts: 836
    Options
    Radio

    When working one should remember that you are in someone's home. Or business. It should be treated with respect. If the customer is home, ask first and put on something non-offensive and low. Don't put on Rush Limebaugh in the home of a Ted Kennedy supporter. Keep it benign. One should also remember that not everyone has the same tastes in music or profanity. If your'e lucky they will tell you or the boss. If not they will tell all their friends and relatives and never call you again.
  • J.C.A._3
    J.C.A._3 Member Posts: 2,981
    Options
    Respectfully,

    I like to listen to "my music" when I work. I would never play it too loud, and will shut it off if the lyrics become objectionable.

    The turning point was when a customer came to ask me about the progress of the job, and asked what station I had on the radio.She tuned the stereo above me to the same channel, and asked if this music played everyday. (WFNX, 101.7 FM,(Boston) noon till 2, leftover lunch.I guess most would consider this punk, but it ranges from pre to post, and many one hit bands from the late 70's to the mid 90's, hence the term "leftover")

    This is what I choose to listen to. Most of my customers do not find it objectionable.Some/Most are kind of surprised to hear something they heard in college, and some even reminis(sp) about them.(that gets funny, but also eludes to Timmies last post, LISTEN You may find that you were in the same place at one time or another.)

    Keep it clean, but always ask. Chris
  • Darin Cook_3
    Darin Cook_3 Member Posts: 389
    Options
    Making the day more enjoyable

    We like to listen to the radio on the job. We run a mix of heavy metal and talk radio. I can tell we are getting older because talk radio, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Shawn Hannity, seems to take more of our radio time. We keep the radio low and if the customer comes down to talk, we shut it off to give our undivided attention. If we get the impression that the music would offend them, we do not play it.





    Darin
  • Mike Kraft_2
    Mike Kraft_2 Member Posts: 398
    Options
    Time and place

    Depends on the sitiuation.Mark you were absolutely correct in your approach:)...........I would never play my music while working in a HO's house.On construction sites it depends on the crew.I generally like to let it rip!It's a motivator.

    cheese
  • kevin_5
    kevin_5 Member Posts: 308
    Options
    I'm a man

    Real men don't use the "big words" as you call them. Real men have self control. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Jesus) So what comes out of your mouth is basically what you are no matter how you might try to "fake it and act like you're offended" if a moral human being comes around. That goes for what type of trash entertains you too. It used to be that even filthy mouthed guys would clean it up if women or children were around, now I see more and more guys who haven't even that much courtesy. Think about it guys. Since when is profanity a mark of manhood? It's like calling pornography "adult entertainment"- I'm an adult and I don't entertain myself that way. Why not call it "Entertainment for perverts with no self control". Now don't write a nasty post taking me to task... you'll just give yourself away. Kevin

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Robert O'Connor_6
    Robert O'Connor_6 Member Posts: 299
    Options
    Right on Mark

    I think radio is ok on a job as long as your not offending anyone, Every job is different.

    Regards

    Robert

    ME
  • Grumpy_2
    Grumpy_2 Member Posts: 82
    Options
    Zero tolerance!

    I have it written into every contract- "There will be NO radios, tape decks, CD players, MP3's or televisions played on the contract jobsite by ANY craft during the period our company is present on the jobsite. We respect the rights of individuals to entertain and express themselves at their leisure; however, while on the jobsite it is the opinion of our management that the above listed devices distract our employees from their assigned tasks. We further consider this to be a safety issue and wish to protect our employees while on the jobsite. We reserve the right to remove our employees from the jobsite, without penalty or recrimination should this agreement be breached. By signing this contract, you agree to honor and enforce this provision."

    I and my employees are there to do a specific task, not to be entertained or diverted from concentration on the task at hand. After years of being assaulted with high decibel trash or SOMEONE elses idea of music, we began to include and enforce this provision. The remarkable thing, is that most of the general contractors are now incorporating the same requirements in their contractual agreements. Silence is golden, and as a side effect, the work is done quicker and neater and with far fewer errors. No hassle with the customer, no war between radios, no being held hostage to someone elses taste in music, and no distractions from the work at hand.

    And now you know where "Grumpy" started!!
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,843
    Options
    I agree

    especially if the owner is home. I have found that radios can be distracting as well as a safety hazard as mentioned in Geno's post.

    We get paid to work, not to listen to the radio.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • tommyoil
    tommyoil Member Posts: 613
    Options
    Spare me

    Easy there sir. You presume alot with regard to someone you dont know. Hearing the big words doesn't mean a person uses them for starters. Secondly, I someday would like to be just like you, morally perfect. Theres no need to take you to task as everyone is entitled to an opinion. I respect your opinion because this is America, a place of choice. You might be surprised as we probably have more in common than we have differences. Be it Howard Stern or Jerry Falwell one mans trash is another mans treasure. They are both fanatics but they offer us a choice. The place where I get my morning paper also has an adult section. Should I stop buying my paper there? Of course not, I'll just choose to walk on by. Thats my CHOICE. If everyone believed exactly what you do, we'd all be in big trouble simply because any choice would be taken away. The last radio I bought had a dial. In case you weren't sure what its for, its to change the channel if you dont like what you hear. Its called choice. Thats fine that you dont choose to entertain yourself while checking out "adult entertainment". But guess what, thats your CHOICE. I'll say it again, its your CHOICE. There are millions, no billions of people, who enjoy the practice of self gratification. Including, whether they admit it or not, people right here on this websight. I dont approve or disapprove of people who do things that I dont. But I dont look down my nose at them either and make all kinds of assumptions. They are all people, and we all fall short of the glory INCLUDING YOU. So please, spare me the lesson on morality. Next you'll be saying that because someone has a beer at a ball game that it makes them an alchoholic. I'm sure some fanatic somewhere thinks that is the case. I hope you dont consider this taking you to task as its not my intention. If you do, let me apologize in advance. Dont forget, good people make bad choices sometimes. Unlike you, I dont take personally or sit in judgement of the shortcomings of others or the fact that someone is or does something different. Who wants a world full of Howard Sterns, or Jerry Falwells. It would be pretty boring, dont you think? I'm not sure if I have given myself away as you would have hoped. One thing is for sure...you did.
  • GaryDidier
    GaryDidier Member Posts: 229
    Options
    Radios

    Mark,None on a jobsite. They are a safety issue and cause wasted time tuning, finding power, and playing with lead cords.

    Gary from Granville
  • Yeah it's a safety issue

    Years ago we propped our radio on top of the door going into the boiler room , cause there was no other place for it to go . The customer came in to look at the progress , leaned on the door and got a boombox to the brain . Needless to say , we never did that again .
  • clammy
    clammy Member Posts: 3,112
    Options
    listening to garbage

    When i go to a job and hear rap garbage just take a look at there work it probaly looks as good as the music there listening to ,i personally put on am raido listen to dean sammy and frank with a couple others in there never had a home owner say boo they most of them love it i firmly believe that when you listen to quality music your work will show it how good are things going to look when every other word is a curse, at home i,m listen to everything from black flag to ray charles usally i'll get some ulgy looks for what i listen to on the jobs but i've yet have had any body tell me to lower it or where offended by it .When i was much younger the old timers would listen to the imanganay ball room i used to shurg my shoulders and shake my head it just took me 20 years to get where they where then now i'm seeing things the way they did i guess we all learn things over time i think it's called growing up peace clammy
    R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
    NJ Master HVAC Lic.
    Mahwah, NJ
    Specializing in steam and hydronic heating
  • tommyoil
    tommyoil Member Posts: 613
    Options
    Clarification

    Are you saying in your contract that even if the homeowner wishes to play a radio, or have his/her t.v. on that you'll pull your guys off the job? If thats the case, it seems to me that dictating to a customer what he or she can or cant do in their own home is even more intrusive than playing the radio in the first place. Our co. has been installing/servicing for over 25 years. The employee w/ the least amount of time has been on the job for 9 years. The only workplace accident(aside from minor bumps and scrapes ect...) we have had in that time has been a traffic accident, and even then, someone ran a stop sign and ran into us. I'm not sure if the radio was on. My guys are trained in professionalism and we here dont consider playing appropriate music at a reasonable level "unprofessional" or "rude". Also, I have a file full of complimentary letters from customers. Everyday people, businesses, local town halls, and even a church job, where we have exceeded the customer expectations all with the radio going. Its a simple perc which the men seem to enjoy.I try to keep the men happy w/out dictating to them. They feel like human beings, not robots. They make the company what it is and I recognize that. My rules on the job are these,no smoking in or on the job,PERIOD,no booze or drugs(and we do randoms)and no swearing or foul language in or on the job.There are others, but they are all common sense, and all the guys here have that. Again, our guys are professionals and dont need for me to stand over them telling them the things which they already know so well. Our jobs(for the most part) are done in a timely fashion. The ones that arent in on time arent because the radio was on, I can assure you. While I have total respect for your approach to business I'll choose the battles with our guys. This is not one of them. No customer has EVER complained to us because the radio was on. I guess if someone did I would obviously have to reconsider co. policy. And even then, I wouldnt let one bad apple spoil the basket. I would take appropriate measures w/ the offending personnel. No need to strip the whole crew of their humanity. Music is food for the soul.
  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,909
    Options
    Years ago


    I had a young helper. He was a fireball on the job, he had GREAT potential. Once while we were removing a boiler from a home, I watched his mood change dramatically when a particular song came on the radio. He went from "full speed ahead" to "all engines stop" in an instant.

    The song was by a band called "Smashing Pumpkins" and the refrain was "despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage."

    I personally don't care if there is music playing while I work, but there is no doubt in my mind that it can affect attitudes. I've watched it happen.

    I'd love to know how much time is spent on an average changing stations or building an antenna system that NASA would be proud of.

    It's a free country, and you can listen to what you like. We are guests in customers homes, and we should let that fact guide our actions.

    Mark H

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • ScottMP
    ScottMP Member Posts: 5,884
    Options
    I agree Mark

    This has been a good post, a really good discussion to have on the site.

    Yes we all have our prefrences for music but its all how we present ourselves to the customer that helps determine your proffesionallism.

    A negative image can come from many places.

    I like all kinds of music and the older I get I find I enjoy MY Parents music more than I did as a kid. I guess I am getting older.

    Scott

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • DaveC
    DaveC Member Posts: 201
    Options
    My parents music...

    Scott, why is it Istanbul, not Constantinople?

    That "old" music was so confusing!
  • DaveC
    DaveC Member Posts: 201
    Options
    Sounds a little...

    S+M.... You tryin' to get someone upset again?
  • Don \"Grumpy\" Walsh
    Don \"Grumpy\" Walsh Member Posts: 184
    Options


    "Strip the whole crew of their humanity" Come on now, that's a bit over the top. We're talking about radio's here not casting people into bondage!
    It was in fact, my guys that had numerous times complained about problems with some "immature jerk" that was driving them up a wall on the jobsite, that led to our current position. At least we don't have to listen to some blasting intrusion of drivel, or the same pathetic lamentations of some "star-for this week" , nor the same song played over and over again all day long.
    As far as the customer playing music or operating the TV; well while it is their house, they are usually not in the same area as that of the work being done. If they are in the same area and choose to be boorish then we "reserve" the right to remove ourselves if necessary. That has never occurred since we instituted this inclusion to our contract. My primary focus is commercial work not residential, that is where the problems really are severe. The electrician wants to blast Santana on his boombox and do a bit of air guitaring, the drywaller wants to listen to Johnny Paycheck singing "take this job and shove it" twenty or thirty times an hour, the painter wants to listen to Pavarotti and has to turn his radio up louder than the rest...So HE can hear the master at work, and the termites (carpenters) are of course trying to hear Peter, Paul, and Mary doing "If I had a Hammer" over the router and planer noise. Needless to say concentration is difficult and headaches are common, but NOT on my jobs!

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Bill Nye
    Bill Nye Member Posts: 221
    Options
    TOO LOUD!!!!!!!

    is TOO LOUD !!!!!!!!!!! No matter what you are listening too. It hurts your ears, stops communication, it makes you tired trying to yell over the radio all day. I hate talk radio, it hurts concentration.

    I've seen painters standing around listening to rush limberger and arguing about what he said. They certainly weren't producing.

    My old man is old school and some what of a redneck. He had some job site sayings I remember from 20 yrs ago. When you were tuning in the radio it was " Hey , I hired a plumber not a DJ, leave it alone and get back to work" With smokers it was "Hey I didn't hire a one armed man, put it out and get back to work." The classic, " Take the strain out of your face and put it in your **** and Push! "

    Most people will turn down the volume if you ask. I really hated trying to lay out complicated work when you had the tower of babel , 6 different radio stations going at once.

    My dear old dad asked one guy three times to shut the radio off on a job. The guy just turned it up. The old man went to the truck,got an axe,chopped the cord, and threw the radio out into the woods. My old man is an ex marine and I think the guy figured pops was serious. He didn't say a word.


    I like classic rock and I can tolerate country and sometimes on a friday afternoon I can tolerate head banger. But rap, I hate rap. If it didn't get shut off I would leave. I never ever play a radio in a customers house. On the job site some one always has a Dewalt or a Milwaukee boom box. I go with the flow, sometimes I even ask them to TURN IT UP !
  • J.C.A._3
    J.C.A._3 Member Posts: 2,981
    Options
    Jim,

    Because "They Might Be Giants" said so!

    How's that for a reply? Chris
  • tommyoil
    tommyoil Member Posts: 613
    Options
    I stand corrected

    I suppose it was just a tiny bit over the top. However, so far so good with the radios on our jobs. Like you,and like I said, I suppose if and when it becomes an issue we'll address it with appropriate measures. In the meantime I'll leave it in the qualified hands of our men. I work with a great crew who know their limitations. This was a great post. I'm glad we all had this discussion.And by the way, you don't seem so grumpy,Grumpy. Good Luck!
  • DaveC
    DaveC Member Posts: 201
    Options
    Yeah, I guess people...

    just liked it better that way :^)

    Anyway - that's nobody's business but the Turks!

    Gotta go now - I've got a date in Constantinople, but she'll be waiting in Istanbul... Istanbul! Istanbul!
  • Wayco Wayne_2
    Wayco Wayne_2 Member Posts: 2,479
    Options
    This thread

    brings up many memories of job site conflicts. I remember 2 guys from different trades working at the same time both playing their music on different stations. One was classical music the other was Country. Each kept turning up their music louder and louder until no one could think. I got out of there before the conflict exploded into fisticuffs but thats where it was headed. On another job a group of hispanics had their Latin music on loud and the genral contractor told them to turn it down. They did until he left the room and then they turned it back up. The old guy just grimaced, went and got a pair of linemans plyers, came back and cut the power cord off the radio. You could of heard a pin drop. He had no more trouble from that crew that day. I would never be so bold. My self I can barely think when it's quiet, so I dont play a radio unless I'm doing mindless work, and I don't do much of that. WW

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • heatboy
    heatboy Member Posts: 1,468
    Options
    It all depends.............

    on the site. Less of an issue during new construction. Retrofit work is different though. Is the homeowner home or not? Do they mind? I work better with some background noise. Sometimes, silence can be deafening. Besides, background noise quiets the voices.

    The choice of music will depend on my temperment that day. It will range from "Some Kind of Monster" to light jazz. I relish the looks I get when I put on NPR or BBC when everyone else is banging heads. Priceless. Since I have Sirius satelite radio in my truck and on site, there is always something to listen to without the blah, blah of commercials.

    hb

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Nick Z._2
    Nick Z._2 Member Posts: 32
    Options
    Radio

    I work by myself most of the time I would go crazy without a radio.I listen to Stern,Classic country,(yesGeo. Jones, Hank Williams that kind.)and classic rock.I try to use my judgement on what to listen to. I NEVER listen to Stern with homeowner around.Funny story about Stern,I had him on one day and he was having lesbian dial a date just as the lady h.o. walked to the barn I quick reached to pull the cord out when she sadi "Don't turn it off,I was listening to it in the car."
    I can see where radios can be a problem but if good judgment is used there should be no problems. I saw my father turn a radio off many times on an outside job site the last time he not only turned it off but took a hammer and smashed the knob off so it would never be turned on again.
  • Nick Z._2
    Nick Z._2 Member Posts: 32
    Options
    Satelite

    Jeff, how do you use that sat. radio on a jobsite? The local bar has it, and it is the coolest thing to come along in awhile.
  • heatboy
    heatboy Member Posts: 1,468
    Options
    Sirius Satelite Radio

    Nick,

    There are two offerings, currently, when it comes to satelite. Sirius, which I have, and XM. I have not heard much XM, so I can't speak to it's programming. Sirius, on the other hand, offers over 60 music channels, commercial free. They also just signed a deal with the NFL to broadcast every single NFL game this season.

    There a various manufacturers that offer equipment for Sirius. Kenwood, which is what's in my truck, has a full line of stuff. My truck is sort of over the top. I'm one of those deaf guys you can hear coming down the block :-) Nothing better than Metallica's Reload - Fuel or Uriah Heep's Wizards and Demons - Easy Livin' at volume setting 26!! For portable listening, Audoivox offers a boom box with a detachable Sirius head that can be adapted to your existing car or home stereo with different docking stations.

    Very cool stuff.

    http://siriusradio.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=Page&cid=1018209032790

    hb

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Crash_2
    Crash_2 Member Posts: 1
    Options
    workplace kareokee

    You guys are missing the whole point of the radio on a job site. I would argue that on our job sites it is a safety issue NOT to have a radio. Tensions can start to run pretty high on some of our jobs-between co workers & other tradesman. Nothing cuts the tension like hearing 3 plumbers belting out "Sweet Home Alambama" or "Hit me baby one more time" at the top of our lungs. We receive compliments (not for the quality of the singing) for how much fun it is to have us on the job site. The music doesn't deter work...it just gives us something to do while we thread pipe or insulate miles of lines!
  • Craig_8
    Craig_8 Member Posts: 33
    Options


    we play the radio on the jobsite about 40-50 percent of the time. usually when we are working in a basement where we are pretty sure the homeowner won't hear it. we usually listen to 97.1 WDRV (chicago) they play the lighter classic rock that nobody would find offensive. if we are working where someone else might here the radio, we always ask if it is ok to play it. our rules are- no CDs, MP3's, or talk radio (too distracting). I have never had a homeowner say no to my request to play the radio. In fact on one jobsite i plugged my radio into an outlet on the side of a light socket that had a 200 watt bulb in it. the bulb overheated the transformer on the plug (one of those "wall-wart" things. the homeowner later came up and said "you don't have to turn your radio off" i said "i didn't turn it off, it broke" the next day, i got to the job site and found a brand new radio sitting in front the boiler i was installing. the homeowner said they were so impressed with my work that i deserved a bonus so they got me a new radio. :)
  • a friend
    a friend Member Posts: 2
    Options
    i have to listen to what they want

    lets just say when i go on the job with my dad i have to listen to his music witch sometimes is ok and sometimes i hate it. but i dont ever get to listen to what i want. but even though somedays we dont even listen to music because i am told i cant turn it on witch usually makes my day very boring unless i have something to help with.
This discussion has been closed.