Scaffolding continues to be one of the safest means of worksite access and is expected to grow alongside the industry expansions taking place in many areas. To help manage this growth of scaffolding and address any possible challenges ahead, the Industrial Scaffolding Committee (ISC) was formed.
“The ISC began as a partnership of operational and executive leaders from some of the largest industrial scaffolding contractors in North America,” said Brian Wedemeyer, chairperson of the ISC. “These members, through the sup-port of their respective companies and professional organizations, joined to prescribe training and certification standards for scaffolding in the petrochemical, pulp and power industries.”
Since the ISC was established to improve the safety and performance of the industrial scaffolding workforce, the committee set up a two-week training program, also known as the Basic Access Industrial Scaffold course, for nonexperienced scaffold builders. The course focuses on materials inspection, handling and basic construction for medium- to heavy-grade scaffolding.
“What makes the Basic Access course different than others out there is it uses a controlled environment and gives applicants a solid access point to the industry, allowing a foundation for future growth,” Wedemeyer said. “The success rate of students who have completed this course has been extraordinary.”
In its first year, the ISC partnered with six companies and two community colleges within Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Houston to field a fully developed hands-on certification process. The Louisiana Workforce Commission also recognized the Basic Access course as an Industry Based Certification Program, and it has been conducted completely with volunteers from the scaffold companies. “Since the Basic Access course was designed to help nonexperienced individuals safely enter the workforce, the ISC is proud to see students grow and succeed,” said Denise Simoneaux, director of business services for ISC. “Seeing the applicants apply great construction methods is rewarding because they are now marketable and can earn a living with less likelihood of injury.”
After ISC launched the first training venue in Baton Rouge, a host of other training sites showed interest in the program because of its success. It is now fully implemented at the River Parishes Community College, Houston Community College and South Louisiana Community College, with several more training venues on tap for implementation.
Certification from the ISC’s Basic Access Industrial Scaffold course can improve a craftsman’s marketability, expresses his or her interest in career development and allows that person to enter a partner company at a higher designation. According to Simoneaux, the committee has an open-door policy, and its members continue to be extremely appreciative of its support network. The industry and its members are fully integrated into the entire process, from curriculum development to assessment and post-certification tracking.
“Having instructors, assessors, subject matter experts and representation ensures the training is in line with the needs of industry,” Simoneaux said. “We encourage those to reach out to the ISC to get involved.”
For more information, visit www.scaffoldcert.org.
