“As a scaffolding instructor, I have an input into what the guys do to keep themselves and their colleagues safe; that is no minor responsibility, and I am happy that what I do keeps people safe and supports the continued operations of so many companies that are a part of our world-class energy sector”.
Photo credit: Luvo Productions Ltd.
Kerry Mahabir’s fate as a scaffolding instructor seems to have been decided long before he could crawl, much less climb; coming from a family where both his father and brother were scaffolders, it was a natural fit which he embraced after leaving Secondary school. Kerry’s 18 years within the oil and gas sector have seen him working in the field as a scaffolder to his current role at Radian HA Ltd where he has been a Scaffolding Instructor for the past 4 years. Radian H.A. Ltd has provided scaffolding materials, tools, and training services, including work at heights and rescue training across various sectors for the past 25 years. Kerry began as a scaffolder and advanced to an inspector at his previous place of employment, before joining Radian.
Kerry transitioned from fieldwork to teaching scaffolding standards with the encouragement of his General Manager. Kerry explained how he became a scaffolding instructor, his training path having involved on the job experience, the completion of courses with UK based institutions and then shadowing some of his UK instructors. He now leads Radian’s training Centre which provides both classroom and practical training facilities and is T&T’s first instructor working across the region. Kerry's role is therefore now primarily limited to the training centre, though he might still conduct on-site assessments if requested by clients. He feels a strong attachment to his work, enjoying both “the physical aspect of scaffolding and the very rewarding experience of watching students' confidence and competence grow in the classroom and in the field”.
A very critical component in this area is “the importance of following safety guidelines and training, particularly when erecting or dismantling scaffolding”. He was quick to add that from his viewpoint, the safety record in the local energy sector has remained high. Of course, he believes that this has only been achieved because of “continuous training and ensuring that individuals become competent and confident in their skills since a single failure would be seen as a personal and professional failure”.
In a similar vein to different areas of the sector, Kerry explained the evolution of scaffolding safety standards, particularly the implementation of SG4 guidelines in the UK which require fully boarded scaffolds with guardrails, contrasting with older practices where workers would climb on tubes without boards or guardrails. He noted that while these safety measures have been in place in the UK for many years, there is still a gap between UK safety standards and those in Trinidad. Other areas in which safety in scaffolding has been boosted has been via the specifications of material used to manufacture the components.
Literally born into the business of scaffolding, it’s not surprising that Kerry has found fulfillment in his profession which “may not offer the same recognition as other fields, but is an incredibly rewarding career—knowing that what we do helps keep people safe.” Kerry’s motto which is useful advice to anyone employed in this field is to “ensure that you keep yourself safe while you create a safe temporary workplace for others”.