In the Winter 2005 IVES Update Newsletter edition we will cover visual training aids, overhead guard decals, running equipment indoors, a refresher on practical evaluations, Washington state championship, accident reports and more.
Visual Training Aids: Low Tech = High Success
I remember back when I was a kid, and my dad “caught” me using a calculator while doing my math homework. When I told him that it was not only allowed at school but actually encouraged, he completely wigged out. I tried to explain that using the calculator only sped up the process and that the person using the device still had to know what data to punch in, as well as when, how and why… but he would have none of it.
“It’s the process that you need to learn; that’s the part where you have to think!” he said… well, yelled actually. We agreed to disagree, or at least I did.
My dad’s words are coming back to me a lot these days and I am finding myself agreeing with the old boy more and more. Words like, “The more bells and whistles there are, the more things there are to break.” Or one of my favorites, “The more you have, the more you need to keep it going.”
I was able to apply this logic to training when I recently attended a seminar. When I arrived, the presenter had what seems to be the normal complement of gadgets these days… about six grand-worth of electronic gear: a laptop computer, LCD projector, ultra this, hyper that, the usual stuff.
Things started to go downhill when he had a problem with the cables that connected everything, at least that was the reason given. After about 15 minutes of fiddling around with the cables, he finally got it fired up, although it intermittently cut in and out, with no sound. With panic in his eyes and a quiver in his voice, he muttered, “I’ve got to get another cord, excuse me” and left the room.
He returned 20 minutes later without a replacement cord and went ahead with the “bad” cord, giving an equally bad presentation full of barely discernible graphs and charts all accompanied by his confused and disheveled narration. To top it off, he had wasted so much time —more than 30 minutes of what was supposed to be a 90-minute presentation — that he was rushed, which only took more away from an already poor performance. It was clear that his techno meltdown had seriously knocked him off his game. I’m not knocking technology … far from it. In fact, I use it myself. What I am knocking is the presenter. This guy was totally unprepared and it was obvious he had no backup plan for an equipment failure, which in my opinion (and that of the four others who were there) is completely unprofessional and unacceptable. Today, equipment failure is as much a part of the landscape as the equipment itself. If you use this technology, you had better be able to grab a flip chart and move on, without missing a beat.
I left that seminar feeling pretty disappointed about the presentation, but I also felt good about having my philosophy on training confirmed. That is, know your stuff, be prepared with a plan and a backup plan, and don’t rely too heavily on any one thing, except your own ability to communicate what is required, regardless of the tools you have at your disposal. Powered training aids will fail from time to time, but your ability to communicate in their absence should never fail. I decided to drop by my dad’s place on the way home to see if there was anything else I could learn that day.
Rob Vetter, Chief Instructor
Ives Training Group
Ask Bob
Dear Bob,
Is a decal listing the impact rating of the overhead guard required on a forklift?
Mark
Dear Mark,
It depends on where you or, more importantly, your forklift is located. Federally, OSHA has no requirement for it, but your state OSH program, if you live in a state that has one, might. Off the top of my head, the only state I know of that has such a requirement is Oregon.
Bob
Dear Bob,
Is it okay to run engine-powered machinery indoors without the doors open?
Meaghan
Dear Meaghan,
It is okay as long as the maximum allowable levels of exhaust emissions are not reached. The trouble is that those levels are different almost everywhere you go, so you will have to find out from a local agency exactly what the levels are in your area. Once you find out though, I think it would be a great idea to get an exhaust gas “sniffer” and set it to warn you before the maximum level is reached. Also, propane burns much cleaner than gasoline or diesel fuel, so if your machines are not running propane, the maximum limits will be reached a lot faster than if they were.
Bob
What’s Your Instructor IQ?
Test your knowledge by answering the following:
- What is the maximum rate of descent that a forklift mast can free fall?
- How far away from the edge of an unoccupied trench does a piece of mobile equipment have to remain?
Check out the next edition of the Ives Update for the answers. Good luck!
Answers to “What’s Your Instructor IQ?” (Fall Edition 2005)
- Boom-supported aerial work platforms in most areas must be designed, constructed and operated in accordance with ANSI/SIA A92.5. What do the letters “SIA” stand for in the title of the standard?
The letters “SIA” stand for “Scaffold Industry Association.” The SIA is known as the “secretariat” of the standard, which means they are the ones who actually wrote it.
- Is there any way to legally make modifications to equipment without the written consent of the manufacturer?
Not if you ask the manufacturer! However, most regulatory agencies will recognize the endorsement of a professional engineer in determining variations to capacity and/or safe operation where modifications have been performed. Be careful though—it’s best to check with your local regulatory agency and the manufacturer on their requirements before modifications are made.
The Tradition Continues: CMH&DS Forklift Rally in the Books
On Saturday, October 22, the Canadian Materials Handling & Distributors Society (CMH&DS) held their 9th annual forklift competition at Neptune Food’s Annacis Island site. Over 50 competitors came together to compete in one of three equipment divisions: counterbalanced, narrow aisle and powered pallet jack. Once again, Ives was called to step up and handle the judging, testing and driving course design/setup for the event – and step up we did.
“This Provincial Championship event draws a lot of top-shelf talent from around BC and this year was certainly no exception. The course design and setup was particularly challenging this year, because we really wanted to take these drivers to task,” said IVES Chief Instructor Rob Vetter, who coordinated the judging, course layout and testing for the event. “Whoever walked away with the trophies today really earned them, because we’ve got some pretty good talent at all of the judging stations, too,” he added.
Plenty of spectators were on hand to watch the proceedings and enjoy free hot dogs and refreshments, as well as enter the 50/50 draw and have the opportunity to win some great door prizes. The staff at Neptune Foods facility on Annacis Island was gracious and accommodating, which really contributed to making this year’s rally a success.
Next year, the CMH&DS will be holding the event earlier in the year, probably toward mid-spring in May. Check out the next edition of the IVES Update for details on when and where the 10th annual rally will be.
Ives is Turning 25!
It’s hard to believe how quickly a quarter-century has passed as our 25th year is upon us! In September 2006, The Ives Training Group will celebrate the silver anniversary of its incorporation in 1981. Keep an eye on our website and the IVES Update for special 25th anniversary promotional programs that allow you to save and win! It’s our way of saying thanks to you, our valued clients and partners in safety — we couldn’t have done it without you!
Practical Evaluations: a Refresher
One of our most experienced Staff Instructors, Simon Larkin, submitted the following article, which addresses some common issues that trainers have brought up at instructor re-certification programs he has delivered lately.
- Theory Test – Additional Training
When grading a final written test where a trainee did not score 100%, you should do some additional training with each individual that is specific to the question(s) that were answered incorrectly. Just because a trainee scored over 70% does not mean that theory training is over. Think back to a time when you have taken a test and all you were told is “Well done, you passed.” Then you asked yourself, “What ones (if any) did I get wrong?” If only you had been told about the ones you got wrong, you could have corrected them yourself while in the field. Make sure your trainees understand any shortfalls in their knowledge as they are tested.
- Practical Training – Time
You need to give your trainees as much time as they need on a piece of equipment during practical training (practice time) to bring them to the level of competence needed for a successful evaluation. Too many trainers put trainees into an evaluation immediately after the theory training, before they have had the benefit of any practical training and/or practice time. Before you evaluate, ask yourself, “Is the trainee ready?” If the answer is “no,” then forcing the issue will not be helpful to anybody, because the trainee will likely be unsuccessful and discouraged while you will need to re-train and re-evaluate…a colossal waste of time.
- Practical Evaluation – Grading
When completing an evaluation form for any trainee, don’t forget that in the “Basic Operating Procedures” section of the form, we recommend that if the trainee gets three hash marks on any one line item, you mark an “X” in the “Yes/No” column on that line. Remember, if the trainee receives an “X” on any of the “Basic Operating Procedures,” it means that he/she was unsuccessful and must receive additional training in the area(s) identified by the evaluation. In addition, if even one hash mark is recorded beside the “Maintains Control at All Times” item, the evaluation should be stopped immediately and the trainee given additional training and re-evaluation.
- Practical Evaluation – Area
The evaluation needs to be done in the area and environment where the operator will be using the piece of equipment. Even though you may have set up a great practice course consisting of cones and empty pallets in the empty parking lot, that should be reserved for practical training (hands-on practice time). This does not necessarily mean that you should evaluate them at this location. If the trainee’s job is going to involve using a forklift for unloading trailers in the warehouse or stacking loads on racking, then it is in that environment that you must evaluate them.
These are just a few things to stay disciplined about, because if you vary even a few degrees off course from these procedures, before too long you will end up completely lost.
Accident Reports
Mechanic Crushed By Loader
A 22-year-old man was working alone and was positioned near the joint on the front side (facing forward) of a front- end loader. While he was performing repairs to the steering system, the machine moved, closing the area where he was positioned. It resulted in fatal crushing injuries. According to investigators, the direct cause of the accident was failure to shut off the engine and block the loader from motion. The established safe work procedure, specified by the manufacturer, was not followed—nor was an alternative used. The steering frame lock, a safety device to disable the articulating capability of the loader, was not engaged.
[This is a tragic example of why manufacturers equip articulating equipment with frame locks…use them!! – Ed.]
Forklift Operator Charged In Co-Workers Death
A man was killed and a co-worker was charged in his death after the forklift the man was being lifted by struck a concrete structure, injuring him in the chest, police said. The worker was doing electrical work at a construction site at the time of the accident. It is not clear why the man was on the forklift, but police sources say the two may have been joking around. The victim was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Police charged the operator with criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment, because he was using the forklift improperly.
[Horseplay + heavy mobile equipment = death…you do the math. – Ed.]
Bucket Truck Operator Killed
A lineman was working on telephone lines from a bucket truck when he came in contact with overhead electrical wires that were strung on the same utility poles. The County Coroner said she pronounced the man dead at the scene. The victim was 42 and is survived by his wife and two children.
[He didn’t look out for his own safety; now he can’t look out for theirs. – Ed.]
Washington State Champ Crowned
The 54th Annual Governor’s Safety and Health Conference held in Tacoma, WA on September 28 was the backdrop for the 2005 Washington State Forklift Rodeo Championship. Individuals and teams from perennial strong contenders like Columbia Colstor, the Boeing Company, Lamb-Weston and others were on hand, and as usual, they fielded some formidable drivers.
“The level of effort these guys put in to their performance is really amazing.” said event Head Judge and Ives Chief Instructor Rob Vetter. “The drivers we saw compete here today represent the best the state has to offer, and it’s impressive. What I like most about this is that it challenges the drivers to get it (the course) done quickly, and safely—and boy, do they ever!”
In the end, it was Mike Weinman of the Boeing Company that took home this year’s crown… and five hundred bucks!
Congratulations to Mike and the Boeing Company on an outstanding performance … hoorah!
Training Material Upgrades
We are in the midst of significant upgrades to almost all of our operator and instructor training materials. At the moment, the recently revised Mobile Crane Operator Trainee Manual is undergoing field testing and is slated for general release early in the new year. Right behind that are the boom truck and aerial lift manuals, scheduled for release in the spring of 2006. The loader and forklifts will also be upgraded, as well as the Instructor’s Manual. All of our publications are getting a facelift and will have the bold new look featured on our new covers, but it’s what is inside that is truly exciting. Detailed, accurate, three-dimensional images of the subject machinery with color shading to highlight subject topics is one of the key features of the new operator training material. We are sure that these visual features, along with our usual level of written expertise, will combine to make a training manual that is miles above anything else available.
New Models Available
For those of you who train operators of front-end and skid-steer loaders, as well as loader backhoes, you will be happy to hear that Ives now offers a line of realistic and sturdy die-cast model replicas of that equipment. Call to order yours today!
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