Summer 2008 IVES Update Newsletter

Complacency: The Enemy Within

From small companies to large corporations, whether operating mobile equipment or driving a car, one of the common things I have noticed in people as a trainer, is complacency and it seems to be an obstacle that every one of us faces.

Whenever an individual tells me that this is not an issue for them, I ask this one question, “Where are your hands when you are driving your car?” The answer should be, at nine o’clock and three o’clock but you would be amazed at the answers I get, especially when you consider that (automobile) driver training is pretty standardized throughout the country. Regardless of their answers, the sad reality is that one hand is usually holding a cell phone (which is quickly becoming illegal in more and more areas) and the other is holding a coffee, or a book, maybe a shaver, putting on make-up, text messaging, fiddling with the radio and on it goes. Whenever I think I have seen it all, as I’m sure you have too, a new contender for the complacency crown emerges. There’s not much that I feel I can do about it and ultimately I just shake my head and hope they live long enough for the police to catch them.

However, when it comes to operating mobile equipment, which is something I certainly can do something about, there are far too many things to be aware of and complacency becomes an even stealthier killer than it is while driving a car. Pedestrians, other mobile equipment, dealing with loads, obstructed vision, unique handling characteristics and any number of specific conditions in a particular working environment make backsliding into complacency, by operator or trainer, a potent safety threat.

Here are some of the issues I have noticed with complacent operators (which could be easily overlooked by complacent trainers, who really should be re-training those operators and correcting the problems): no double shoulder-checks before reversing, not stopping and/or alerting others at blind corners, not chocking wheels when boarding highway trailers, driving with the load elevated too much, and the biggest one of all that everyone seems to look the other way on, not conducting pre-use/operational inspections.

Of course, what I often hear from various companies (usually from the operators) is that it would take too much time to do it that way, which of course cuts into production. This kind of logic is rampant in industry, as most workers, supervisors, managers, etc. have difficulty in separating the production of things (product) from the production of profit, or worse, the production of injury and death. Production is important with respect to profitability, but safety is important with respect to life and limb. Operators (and everyone else for that matter) must always remember that their actions affect others. Operators in particular must keep in mind that they are directly responsible for the safe operation of the equipment at all times, as well as the safety of those working near the equipment. After all, the most important part of going to work is going home afterwards.

So why do we become complacent? As human beings, it seems that when we do something for a long time we get used to it, get mentally lazy and start taking short cuts. Complacency gives us a false sense of security, a sort of “been there, done that” mindset that, if allowed to settle in, can be deadly. I am reminded of a saying from my days in the IT industry that goes, “Taking short cuts leads to short circuits.” Don’t short-circuit your life…or anyone elses!

Naveen Nand
IVES Staff Certified Master Trainer

Ask Bob

Hi Bob,
Please clarify: as of now, there is no expiry date for the serial work platforms or boomlifts as per legislated requirements and IVES training standards. Is this correct?
Thanks,
Bill

Hello Bill,
Yes, that is correct. Unlike forklifts, there is no mandated time period in which refresher training must occur. Instead, the need for refresher training is left to the discretion of the user/employer to decide based on their observation of the operator.
Bob

Bob,
Is the operator the one that has to inspect the forklift or can anyone do it as long as it gets done?
Jackson

Hi Jackson,
The regulations on this are different depending on your location. For example, California and British Columbia regulations specifically name the operator as the inspector, while federal OSHA regulations do not specify. I recommend you have the operator do it; after all, he/she is responsible for the safe operation of the equipment.
Bob

The Road to the Championship Starts in Kennewick

It seems like we just crowned the Washington State Forklift Rodeo champion and here we are starting a new season. Kennewick, Washington was the site of the inaugural event for the 2008 forklift rodeo season, with more to follow on July 12 in Spokane, August 23 in Seattle, and the State Final slated for September 24 back in Spokane as part of the Washington Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference.

This year, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (LNI) has chosen to increase the profile of the forklift rodeos at the regional and state levels in recognition of the value they serve in raising awareness of forklift safety throughout the state. As part of this effort, LNI has appointed a special panel to develop forklift safety literature and educational seminars and deliver this information at the rodeos and the Governor’s Conference in September.

“I think it’s a great move.” says Rob Vetter of IVES. “As a panel member, event sponsor and heading into my fifth year as head judge and driving course designer for the rodeos, it’s very clear to me that this thing is moving in the right direction. With Washington State LNI increasing their efforts to promote and endorse the events, they can only get bigger and better.”

This year’s Central Regional event was won by Nathan Locati of Henningson Cold Storage, pictured above with Al Rainsberger, WA State Rodeo Committee Chairman. Rounding out the top three were Ivan Pruneda of All Vac and Kurt Weidner of Henningson in second and third place respectively.

IVES/BCACS to Pilot First Boom Truck Certification Program in BC

IVES Training is currently working with the British Columbia Association for Crane Safety (BCACS) on developing and delivering the first boom truck operator training program in BC in accordance with the BCACS training and assessment criteria.

In the overall scheme of things this program is long overdue, considering that WorkSafeBC, the provincial regulatory agency in BC, mandated crane operator certification back in July 2007. Unfortunately, various factors ranging from politics to bureaucracy have hampered the process, but we are proud to say that working hand in hand with Fraser cocks, BCACS Executive Director, the first officially certified boom truck operators in BC will be IVES trained.

“I’m not entirely clear on what series of events led to this collaboration and, frankly, I don’t care, I’m just glad it did!” beams IVES Director of Training, Rob Vetter. He went on to say, “I met Fraser years ago, but it was Wayne Fettback of Western Pacific Enterprises, a client of ours, who apparent liked what we (IVES) did for him and put Fraser and I together for this project. The same thing that got IVES to where it is today is what got us in the door here, just good old word of mouth. I really like the model that Fraser and his team have built for the boom truck program and entirely confident that we can deliver an effective practical program that is going to be the template for all that follows. On behalf of IVES, I’m honoured to be part of the process.”

Unlike the NCCCO (National Coalition for the Certification of Crane Operators) model, BCACS is taking a much more realistic approach to certifying boom trucks: first by breaking boom trucks out from other

mobile cranes and adjusting the curriculum accordingly; and second, by requiring would-be operators to inspect and set up their own units (that they bring) during the assessment process.

At press time, initial program delivery dates had been tentatively set for late June or early July.

Using the DTA – User Tips

Since the release of our DTAs (Digital Training Aids) back in the summer of ’07, we have received several calls from trainers confused about how to use them in the classroom.

First of all, it is very important to understand that the DTAs are designed to supplement the operator reference manual, not replace it. If you are using a DTA without the book, it will be very confusing not only to your trainees but also to you, the trainer.

The slides within the DTAs are arranged to follow the questions asked in the appropriate operator reference manual in the order that they appear. Rather than reviewing the manual in a page-by-page style, it is best to go to the pages where the “test” questions are asked and cover them by referencing the book as needed and, of course, using the appropriate DTA as an additional visual aid to the graphics in the book.

Using page 23 of the Counterbalanced Forklift Operator Reference Manual as an example, you will find that the DTA slides and images follow along as you go through items A through J of the main parts and their function. So while discussing A – Forks, you could direct your trainees to page 16 of the book (where forks and attachments are discussed) while using frames 3 through 12 of the DTA for visual accompaniment. This format continues for the entire book.

Be sure to check out the Trainers’ Companion Guide*, a Word document that is loaded on the disc with the DTA. We suggest printing this document out and studying it along with the book and DTA so that you can become familiar with how everything ties together. Once you do, we’re sure you will find that things flow along quite well.

At the moment, IVES carries DTAs for use with our counterbalanced forklift training materials and our aerial lifts (boom, scissor and combined) materials. Currently, the DTAs are not compatible with Mac or Microsoft Vista operating systems.

*This is a vital step!

SPAM Reminder

We are still getting a fair number of e-mailed order confirmations that are sent automatically upon completing an on-line product order bounced back to us, usually because the recipient’s e-mail browser settings are such that IVES is identified as “spam.”

As a reminder to those of you who prefer to order online and all of you who plan to do so in the future, please be aware that when you place an online order, an automatic e-mail acknowledging and confirming the order is generated by our system and sent to the e-mail address you entered during the ordering process. If your e-mail browser (Outlook, for example) has a spam filter or can be set to reject e-mails that are not recognized, you will not receive our order confirmation. Usually, this situation can be av

oided by simply adding IVES Training to your “Favorites” listing within your e-mail browser.

Other than that, the system is running like a top and gaining in popularity. Hopefully it is one more convenience that you find helpful — and there are more on the way!

Chuckles

CAN’T ARGUE WITH THAT!

Question: Who has the right of way when four cars approach a four-way stop at the same time?

Answer: The pick-up truck with the gun rack and the bumper sticker saying, “Guns don’t kill people, I do.”

Real answer from exam set by the California Department of Transportation’s driving school (for offending drivers).

What’s Your Trainer IQ?

Test your knowledge by answering the following:

1. It is best to evaluate operators:
   a) Individually in order to avoid nervous tension and/or possible hazards caused by the presence of others.
   b) In small groups so that they may each learn from one another.
   c) Immediately following the classroom theory test.
   d) On the job.
    
2. If an industry standard and/or site policy conflict with mandated regulation(s):
   a) Site policy must be followed.
   b) A regulatory variance must be applied for.
   c) Referenced industry standards apply.
   d) Mandated regulation(s) shall prevail.

Check out the next edition of the Ives Update for the answers. Good luck!

Answers to “What’s Your Trainer IQ?” (Spring Edition 2008)

1. After you have explained to an operator what is expected of them while they perform tasks with the equipment, it is best to:
   a) Put them through an evaluation immediately, before they forget anything.
   b) Leave them alone so they can practice without distraction, and then come back to evaluate them.
   c) Move along to on-the-job training.
   d) While you supervise, have them practice until they are ready for an evaluation.
    
2. If an operator scores 90% on their theory test, you should:
   a) Congratulate them on passing the test and move along to practical training.
   b) Take steps to confirm and document that they understand the correct answer to the questions they missed.
   c) Congratulate them and move along to the practical evaluation.
   d) Issue another written test and repeat until they score 100%.

The Return of an Icon – Wally Adams is Back in the Fold!

Seven years ago, in the summer of 2001, we said, “So long and happy trails” to Wally Adams, long-time IVES staff trainer, upon the occasion of his retirement.

Recently, I contacted Wally to see if he could recommend anyone to help us out with some overflow training we were having with a large client. To my surprise and delight, Wally himself offered to take on the task.

“Wally made a tremendously significant contribution to our programs and materials during his tenure with the company,” says IVES current Director of Training, Rob Vetter. “He really took the technical content of many of our materials to another level and his passion for safety and training is abundantly obvious as soon as he starts talking. On a personal note, between Wally and Grant (Mackenzie, another significant player in IVES’ history), I learned everything I needed to know just sitting back and listening to the two of them go at it. When it comes to equipment and training, there aren’t too many out there that I will just clam up and listen to, but Wally Adams is definitely one of those people!” Vetter concludes.

Over the past seven years, Wally has been “retired” in name only. A devoted hang glider enthusiast, Wally has been doing everything from soaring over the Alps to helping upgrade and maintain hang-gliding launch sites in and around his home state of Washington. His “spare” time is also spent helping friends and neighbors with all things from demolitions to renovations to all-out construction projects, as well as running a small embroidery business with his wife Nikki.

We could not be happier to welcome Wally back into the IVES family.

Boom Truck and Mobile Crane Materials Upgraded

With everything that’s going on in the world of cranes these days, an upgrade to the mobile crane and boom truck operator materials was a must.

Here is a summary of what has taken place:

BOOM TRUCK

10 pages of rigging information and graphics have been added.

This information includes a description of the basic hitches and types of slings, as well as inspection procedures and rejection criteria. The selection, inspection and general use of shackles is also discussed, in addition to proper dead-ending of wire rope and reeving through wedge sockets.

The range diagram was replaced with a newer, more modern version that is less cluttered and easier to read and work with.

Fortunately, the boom angle, extension, overall height and radius specifications are virtually the same, so the answers to the questions relating to the range diagram are the same as always and your trainer’s manual equipment insert did not need to be revised.

MOBILE CRANE

With the proliferation of state and provincial licensing requirements for crane operators, a complete overhaul of the former program was needed and that’s what we did. The operator workbook, theory test and evaluation form have all been changed significantly, so if you’re planning on doing some mobile crane operator training soon, we suggest you get yourself a compliance package and familiarize yourself with the material beforehand. Of course, as always please do not hesitate to contact us for help as required—that’s what we’re here for!

Accident Reports

WORKER’S FOOT CRUSHED BY FORKLIFT

A worker was airlifted to hospital after suffering a serious crush injury to his foot after it was run over by a forklift truck.

Medical personnel attending the scene said it was unclear exactly what had happened, but that the 57-year-old victim had suffered a number of fractures to his left foot. The man was airlifted to a local hospital for further treatment. No one else was injured in the incident.

[Always give working mobile equipment a wide berth when working nearby. – Ed.]

CONTRACT WORKER KILLED BY FORKLIFT

A 35-year-old man is dead after being crushed by a forklift at a major building products and hardware distributor. Emergency crews were called to the store where police said the victim was working on a forklift when it fell on him, pinning him underneath. Store staff somehow managed to free the man and began to perform CPR before paramedics arrived. He was then transported to hospital where he died. The victim was not a store employee, but was contracted to work on the forklift.

“Apparently, he was looking underneath it and what had been hoisted up fell on his head,” a company spokesperson said, adding that the man was an employee for a local equipment service provider.

“It’s extremely sad and our heart goes out to his family,” she went on to say.

[Be sure to check the qualifications of contractors when they come on site. – Ed.]

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