Darl V. Decatoria, Courseware Developer
The Inspection Saga has officially kicked-off.
Everything was hardcore as I am a Communication degree holder and I know nothing about Engineering. I was wearing a pair of safety shoes, not a pair of Doc Martens; hard hat, not beanie; visibility vest, not coat; safety spectacles, not shades.
It was last 11 July 2013 when I first got immersed in a heavy equipment inspection and testing at First Balfour Sucat, Parañaque. But of course, I did not do the inspection. Engineer Cesar Dumayag did. I was just there to observe and experience first-hand how it feels to be on site standing next to colossal equipment. Engineer Dumayag looked over a brand new Rough Terrain Crane from Japan. Equipped with his inspection paraphernalia which I still have to do my research to be familiar with, he began with his task. I cannot clearly remember where he started inspecting, all that’s retained on my mind was I saw him coming from the back of the equipment to the front, to the both sides, climb up and down, measured the only-engineers-know aspects of the equipment, and inspected even the slightest details.
When he got off the crane, I asked Engineer Dumayag if it is fine for me to climb up the equipment. When he said yes, I felt the thrill rushing all over me. Before I climb up the said equipment, he instructed me about the Three-Point Rule to avoid slipping or falling. The Three-Point rule means three out of the four limbs are in contact with the equipment at all times – two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. Again, it was hardcore. It was my first time and everything felt ecstatic. While sitting and trying to process all that’s in front of me, Engineer Dumayag asked me to blow the horn, stressing that only the horn and nothing more or else I will mess up. After successfully honking, I felt like a kid gleefully running around and playing at Star City. I was all smiles.
After several minutes of going here and there, Engineer Dumayag called on the equipment operator and two other workers to commence with the testing. While the operator was starting up the equipment’s engine, one of the workers was doing hand signals to instruct him what to do next. When the instruction was executed properly, the two others prepared the object to be lifted by the crane. It was then that Engineer Dumayag and the operator exchanged dialogues about the technicalities of it all.
I do not want to sum up my “first time” experience in this field as culture shock though it was a whole lot different story from media and theatre production. In here, there is no room for being maarte and choosy. One has to be a herculean to survive this kind of arena. The Rough Terrain Crane is only one of the heavy equipment I will encounter, and yes, I am looking forward to more on site observation of inspection and testing of other equipment.
