Update as of November 2019: MORE Power on Work Safety. At least 25 personnel particularly substation tenders of More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) have undergone training on basic safety and work practices recently. MORE Power Network Operations deputy head Engr. Bailey Del Castillo said that MORE Power President Roel Castro acknowledged the important role of substation tenders thus, he directed to conduct training for them.
Del Castillo said the training aimed to equip their substations tenders, who are manning the facilities 24/7, with fresh and proper knowledge about their specific jobs. He noted that the substations are very critical equipment in the distribution network and many safety measures must be put in place.
A power substation is a key part of the power distribution system in which the voltage is transformed from high to low or low to high for transmission, distribution, transformation, and switching. It also protects the consumers from sudden drops or surges of electricity.
The training which ran for six days include classroom lecture/ training on substation basic safety and work practices and power substation maintenance, parts and functions identification and electrical test results interpretation, and field lecture or actual substation walkthrough.
Del Castillo noted that the substation tenders who have been with previous distribution utilities have not undergone training regarding their jobs for so long. After the training, Del Castillo expressed confidence that personnel is refreshed in their role and responsibilities.
Update as of July 2022: Electrical Safety Training for Construction Firms: More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) has initiated another safety training, this time, for construction companies. According to Mr. Priam Roy Rivera, MORE Power Safety Officer, the Electrical Safety Training recently was attended by representatives mostly safety officers and engineers of around 15 construction firms. Rivera said the participants were oriented about the hazards in the workplace and different safe work environments and practices.
They were also lectured about the fundamental of electricity, introduced to different electrical equipment, and trained on what to do in case of an emergency situation.
“It’s very important for our construction workers to know the hazard that may be caused by transmission line especially if it’s near their working area,” said Rivera.
MORE Power Iloilo on electrical safety training. Participants also learned the proper distancing wherein they must avoid powerline contact and maintain a minimum safe distance of three meters. River emphasized that having proper knowledge on these things will save workers from life-threatening electrical shock.
“Dapat maintindihan gid ni sang mga tawo nila. Kon wala naton maintindihan, abi naton safe lang ang aton gina obrahan kay gali ara na kita sa line of fire nga pwede kita madisgrasya. Ang masakit pa gd dira nga mapatay kita,” said Rivera.
Meanwhile, Vision Properties Development Corporation safety officer Remuel Aboratique said the training is a big help for them especially since they are into high-rise building constructions. He noted that this is also the first time that a distribution utility initiated this kind of training for them in the construction industry.
“Hindi maiiwasan na may mga property line yung mga kino-construct namin na malapit sa mga high-tension wires so nagiging aware kami doon sa standard na safe working distance. Nalaman naming yung mga computation sa distance,” he said.
He said they are now aware of how to avoid accidents and dangers involving electrical lines.
“Sa mga katulad namin na hindi technical pagdating sa mga electrical malaki syang tulong kasi hindi ganun ka lalim ang pagkakaintindi namin,” he added.
Aboratique said that what they have learned in the training will be cascaded to their respective fellow construction employees. Aside from Vision Properties Development Corporation, other construction firms who benefited from the initiative of MORE Power are ASEC Development Construction Corporation, KIMWA-Iloilo Construction Development Corporation, ARSD Construction Corporation, RL Royal Prime Construction Corporation, Naga Crushing Rock, Noel V. Orquila Construction, Manfreds Inn, 5S Construction, Polygon Construction, and Development Phil. Corporation, and Fiberhome Philippines Incorporation.
Earlier, More Power also trained their substation tenders on distribution substation maintenance and safety orientation.
Update as of July 2022: MORE Power Iloilo, Industry Leader in Safety. More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power Iloilo) successfully achieved one million safe man-hours despite the massive work done since February 2020. The distribution utility hit the one million mark last June without lost time, injury or accident.
According to MORE Power President Roel Castro, safety is their utmost priority in the daily operations and maintenance works of the company’s linemen, engineers, field supervisors, and even contractors compliant to the mandate of the Department of Labor and Employment on Occupational Safety and Health Programs as well as the company’s adherence to Environment, Health, and Safety protocols for its people.
“That’s why for MORE Power, we are giving much importance on the safe man-hours. At the end of the day, even if we want to give the best service sa aton mga konsumidor, we also have to make sure that when our employees get home, they are back to their families safe and sound. For us, the 1 million safe man-hours, is very critical and it is a milestone to be celebrated for all our employees and employees of our contractors,” says Castro. MORE Power invested in a series of safety orientations and training to empower and enhance the skills and knowledge of its employees.
According to Engr. Bailey del Castillo, Deputy Head of the Network Operations Department, with the management’s commitment to ensuring safety, employees became even more dedicated and passionate in their craft.
“That’s why we have quality control na ginagawa. Yung safety officer natin umiikot siya during line works and interruptions at tinitingnan kung merong mga unsafe conditions and mga unsafe acts during work implementation. We follow the right procedures and the safety protocols while we work in the field,” says del Castillo.
“The most challenging part is to change the culture and mindset of our employees. Bal-an ta man before, even sa aton contractors, they are used sa pag ubra nila nga wala mga personal protective equipment. So maayo kay may ara kita programa agud ma-educate sila kag maimprove pa gid ang skills nila. Dira ginapakita naton ang mga potential risks kag hazard sa mga gina ubra naton especially sa electrical lines nga possible makuryente sila,” says Engr. Romel Togonon, Line Construction and Operations Manager.
MORE Power Iloilo Industry Leader: Among those included in the training are boom truck operators, third-party contractors and safety officers of the company, and engineers involved in building constructions in the city.
“Kami sa MORE, we are not only giving safety training to our people and third party contractors, even our consumers are included by reaching out to them through Information, Education and Comunication campaigns via different platforms and channels. We are starting that with the building contractors, since i think that is how we can show our real committment to the people, when it comes to safety sang mga tao naton. We cover both our employees and mga konsumidor naton,” Castro adds
“We can assure the employees of our contractors and even the consumers that as we implement the modernization plans and rehabilitate our system in Iloilo City, we will always ensure strict compliance to safety and security protocols. I think there is no greater achievement for MORE Power than to fulfill its goal of delivering a modernized system and state of the art facilities under a very safe environment nga walang disgrasya nga matabo,”says Castro.
MORE Power Iloilo safe man-hours: The modernization plans that MORE Power has for Iloilo can also carry some new occupational risks. But with the recent achievement for the company, its employees are assured that their well-being and safety are in good hands. As the company celebrates this milestone, MORE Power is even more committed to preventing any work-related incidents and creating a safe and healthy working environment for everyone.Safety and Service: MORE Power Retrains Linemen and Engineers. The distribution utility aspires to reach two million safe man-hours as it undergoes the second phase of the rehabilitation of its facilities. Related: MORE Power Iloilo Achieves 1,008,498 Safe Man-Hours
