Lords of Metal and Tamers of Fire

In mid-December 2021, AlES JSC held competitions among electric welders and gas cutters for the title of best master in the profession.

For 22 years, AlES has been holding a competition for electric welders and for 14 years, a competition for gas cutters at the Metals and Welding Service of the Energoremont PRP. Over the years, more than 570 people have already taken part in the competition. Traditionally, competitions were held in the boiler assembly shop, at the welding range and in the technical class of the Energoremont PRP in compliance with all industrial and sanitary safety standards, industrial safety and security.

— First, the best welders and cutters are selected in departments, then the winners are sent to a competition. I represent the electric welders of CREO-2. It should be noted that specialists with categories from third to fifth participate in the competition. I have been working in my specialty for 5 years. When I weld, I feel calm, because welders are people who manage metal,” said Erbol Alimbek (in Kazakh script), a 4th category electric welder at CREO-2.

— During the practical task, the goal of the competitors is to cut platinum 20 mm thick, at a bevel angle of 30 degrees on one side. We use all the cut plates after the competition for incoming inspection of the electrodes so that the metal does not disappear,” noted Kanat Musakhanov, leading engineer of the Metals and Welding Service.

Ruslan Nurkalimov, a 5th category mechanic, was selected from the gas cutters at CREO-2. He has been working at the station for 13 years. “When I cut metal,” Ruslan shared, “I feel how it will behave. I really love my job. We work as a team. Very friendly team.”

— This is my first time participating in the competition. Although I have been working for ZTK since 2013. I love watching metal melt like butter. I love hauling pipes. I can cut almost any product from metal that can be cut,” continued Zholdas Arykbaev, a 4th category mechanic at UZTK.

And Galymzhan Turdiev cuts metal with admiration. When sparks fly, he feels that a process has begun. For the holiday, he would cut out a tulip flower for his mother, wife and daughters.

Tair Abdrimov has been working as a welder at the Western Thermal Complex for 14 years, a 3rd category electric welder. “I’ve been cooking since childhood. My father works as a welder at CHPP-2. When I’m on vacation, I miss welding. I often carry out welding work in my sleep. What I like most is welding pipes. I would like to note the ventilation system. Helps a lot at work. With the help of a movable hose, it is possible to draw in all the smoke during welding work at the test site,” noted Tahir.

— We installed the latest exhaust ventilation system in December last year. Mobile mechanical self-cleaning filters are designed for local removal and purification of air from aerosols and dust particles generated during welding, stripping, and grinding of metals. It is one hundred percent environmentally friendly. The unit has double protection against large dust particles, including a special multi-layer mesh pre-cleaning filter made of stainless steel and a large steel baffle screen. We now have no emissions or smoke in the room, although work is being carried out in all 8 booths,” said Yuri Shikhanov, head of the Metals and Welding Service.

 

 

— During the training, we provide both theory and practice. The guys have been training at the training ground for almost a year. The theory is taught by a professional, metallurgist and level 3 welding specialist Tatyana Vlasova, leading engineer of the Metals and Welding Service. She is the developer of the training programs “Memos for Gas Cutters”, “Manuals for Electric Welders” and “Manuals for Thermal Operators”. After theory and practice, the guys take exams for the rank. 197 gas cutters and 116 electric welders of the company undergo certification annually, as well as all interested workers who want to improve their skills or acquire a related specialty. After the competition we always sum up the results. We analyze errors and all defects,” said Edik Omarov, industrial training master and professional welder.

The quality of the work performed is assessed by flaw detectors from the Metals and Welding Service, who use an ultrasonic flaw detector to check the weld.

— The flaw detector gives the most objective assessment of the work. It determines pores, lack of penetration, and undercuts in welded joints made by competition participants. – continued Talgat Malikov, 1st category engineer of the Metals and Welding Service.

Participants in the professional skills competition demonstrated theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and professional experts in the field of welding, based on the results of completing tasks, allocated places in the competition. During the assessment, all factors were taken into account: the number of correct answers in the theoretical part, compliance with technology when performing a practical task and compliance with safety regulations.

Winners of the competition “Best Gas Cutter 2021”:

1. Arykbaev Zh.T. – mechanic of the 4th category of UZTK;
2. Turdiev G.T. – mechanic 5th category CREO-1;
3. Nurkalimov R.A. – mechanic of the 5th category CREO-2.

Winners of the competition “Best Electric Welder 2021”:

1. Abirov D.N. – 5th category electric welder TsREO-1;
2. Toganbekov B, N. instead of Togynbaev B.Zh. – electric welder of the 3rd category UZTK;
3. Alimbek E.ZhNo. – electric welder of the 4th category of TsREO-2.

All competition winners were awarded cash prizes and diplomas.

Professional skills competitions not only provide a chance to test yourself. This includes new knowledge and opportunities for development.