Monday, May 4, 2009

SCAFFOLDING in Batangas








by: Dianne Ozaeta - Advertising Officer AG&P






Selected AG&P Managers and Employees finish Scaffold train the Trainers Program

Sceening Procedure:Two (2) managers, nine (9) workers from RMD Scaffolding Section, eight (8) from various departments, such as QA/QC, OPC, PEM, Engineering, HSES, In-House, SSSD, and Cost Engineering, three (3) former riggers/scaffolding foremen, and four (4) from AG&PFI were chosen to undertake the Scaffolding course. Participants were screened based on interviews conducted by Marife H. Manongsong, Personnel Administration Manager, Years of Experience, age, education, and supervisor's rating were considered. Technical knowledge and comprehension were done by AVP-Quality Management Gregorio A. Coronel. The above were used as the basis to complete the twenty-six (26) participants that will teach and train the company's scaffolders on the proper scaffolding procedures.

Training Proper:

The 5-day training focused on the general standards on scaffolding practiced globally. It was further elaborated that Brittish, USA, Singapore, Japan, UAE, and UK standards serve as the structure of policies to be follwed to ensure quality of work, safety and adaptability to circumstance. Shortly after the opening program, an introduction to scaffolding was done. Various types of scaffolds, general safety requirements, and accepted international code were also discussed during the first training day.

Step-by-step assembly procedures and inspection of completes scaffolds were taught to the participants during the second day, and these procedures were demonstrated and applied the day after. The fourth day covered discussions on the following: Planning and Scaffold Job, Design of Scaffolds, Under Hung Scaffolds, Drawings, Material Calculations, and Calculation of Loading. Before the graduation ceremony, a run-through of the previous materials, applications and testing, and review of tests were accomplished to signify the concluding stages of the 5-days training.

According to Ben S. Aclan, who achieved the Top Post after garnering an average of 98% on hands-on and written exams during the training, the course emphasized three (3) significant principles of scaffolding; Frames, Caps locks, and Systems. These principles, along with other scaffolding procedures and safety guidelines, are contained in the Scaffold Training Institute Competent Person Learning Guide and in the visual presentation CD provided by the facilitator Mr. John Palmer, CSP, Director of Scaffold Training Institute based in Houston, Texas.



"The classroom lectures with visual presentations have definitely increased our knowledge and awareness in scaffolding procedures. These were further enhanced through hands-on demonstrations, of which our group's scaffolding erection, which was based from the OSHA style, was proven to be more effective." Mr. Aclan proudly shared. He said that the three stages; structure durability, speed in constructing firm and qualified structure, and OSHA regulated scaffold must be considered in determining the quality and safety of the erected scaffold.




Mr. John Palmer, CSP, Director of Scaffold Training Institute based in Houston Texas served as the facilitator of the training. He received a Barong Tagalog as a token of appreciation from AG&P during the commencement exercises.