Sparks in Their Souls

In early October, 12 employees competed for the title of the Best UMP JSC Welder.

In 2017, it was the first time when professional skills review contest among our company employees was hosted by Ust-Kamenogorsk Multidisciplinary College of Technology. UMP has been closely working with this educational institution for many years.

All the event participants were men «with sparks». Danil Kuksov, Nikolay Batenev, Alexey Ramanov, Sergey Lyamkin, Viktor Belan, Dmitry Cheremnov, Alexey Bastonogov, Alexander Smirnov, Fyodor Babin, Yevgeny Kostyuchenko, Kairat Mukhametkaliev and Valery Ryazanov are experienced welding masters.

Professional skills of the contestants were evaluated by a jury chaired by Pavel Kazantsev, head of Equipment Operation Service.

The review contest consisted of two stages: testing and practical task. The highest score for two stages was 100.

The practical task required to complete assembly, tacking and welding of connecting pipe within 45 minutes. Participants could be dropped out of the contest for making irreparable defects, as well as for violation of safety rules.

Did you know that one can «get sunburn» when doing welding jobs?

The fact is that welding arcs produce ultraviolet and infrared rays in the spectrum. Ultraviolet light negatively affects exposed areas of the body. It can cause burns and eye damage.

Arc welding jobs shall be performed with the use of personal protective equipment, such as masks with different optical densities, gloves, protective clothing covering the whole body, anti-noise headphones, and respirators.

The winning places were distributed as follows: Kairat Mukhametkaliyev was awarded the title of the Best Electric and Gas Welder of UMP JSC with a cash bonus of two and a half base salaries. The second prize and one and a half base salary was given to Alexey Belonogov. Fedor Babin closed the top three with a bonus of one base salary. Other participants of the contest also received financial remuneration in the amount of one-fourth of the base salary.

Pavel Kazantsev, head of Equipment Operation Service:

– Despite the fact that it is the fourth year when professional skills contests are hosted by the College of Technology, it was the first time for electric and gas welders contest. It was a good experience. The specialists of the plant and the College suggested some interesting ideas that were very useful to us. For example, previously the contestants responded on test paper. This time they were tested on computers.

All the participants were on an equal footing. During testing they had to answer 60 questions within an hour. It was obvious that the contestants responsibly prepared for the theoretical part, the percentage of correct answers was very high.

I would like to note that all operations departments» candidates in the contest were worthy. All samples of the participants were welded with high quality and in compliance with the technology. It was difficult to determine the winner, but it was the contest and the top three were chosen based on the final score!

Natalia Apanasenko