We have lots of great information lined up to share in this April 2014 IVES Update Newsletter, including…
- Active vs. Abstract Learning.
- What’s your trainer IQ?
- A question on man baskets on telehandlers.
- Last chance programs.
- What’s Wrong With This? photo and answer.
- A class photo from our Loader Group Trainer Program.
- Interesting article links.
- Incident reports.
- New documents available for download.
- Trade show & events schedule.
- But first, check out all the places we delivered training this month…
This month we would like to share an interesting article from Industrial Safety & Hygiene News…
Active vs. Abstract Learning
Focused, hands-on & engaging training develops tech skills
By James R. White
Years ago I had a customer who wanted electrical safety training for his employees. As we were talking about the course content, he asked, “What are you going to do to entertain the employees?”
This was in the early 1980s. You weren’t expected to entertain; the attendees were expected to pay attention and learn. I replied, “Nothing, electrical safety is serious business.” He suggested hiring a clown to perform while I conducted the training. I didn’t think that was such a great idea and I never heard from him again, by mutual consent. That guy was waaaay ahead of me! I was brought up old school — sit down, shut up and learn or else.
Over the years, I saw the workforce landscape shift. Workers were not as focused, not as willing to do whatever it took to learn and excel. I’m not knocking anyone or any generation. My father would have been disappointed in my work ethic if I started talking about a bunch of safety poop to him. He’d say “Hey! Get the job done, period. If you get banged up a bit, that’s all part of it.” I wouldn’t accept that then or now. Things change.
Younger workers expect an interesting and rewarding experience. They want to participate, not just listen. Technicians learn by doing. Classroom instruction is important to convey concepts and teach basic knowledge but that has to be reinforced with some application of what they just learned. Younger workers are easily bored or distracted. They are used to fast-paced, colorful and interesting, ever-changing input. So how should we approach training?
Muddy waters
While writing this article, the further I researched learning retention, the muddier the waters became. Dr. Edgar Dale’s “cone of learning” is usually depicted as in Figure 1. The original cone of experience (from his book) did not include any percentages, but was a visual representation of abstraction. The closer to the pinnacle of the cone, the more abstract the experience.
I found numerous articles, blogs and papers debunking the percentages used on the cone or triangle. But I also found several that seemed to support the cone of experience or learning.
One paper concludes that all people will learn and get faster at doing a task with repeated practice, people who have prior experience will learn similar tasks more quickly than those who do not, and skills degrade over time if not used.
I believe from my experiences conducting training since 1980 that the general pattern of learning depicted in the learning pyramid is correct. It’s not the percentages that really matter; it’s the concept that as learning methods become more abstract, learning is more difficult.
Traditional vs. active learning
Dr. Paul H. Kvam conducted a study measuring learning retention based on traditional methods and active learning. Two separate classes participated, with a test given at the end of the class and one eight months later. Interestingly, for the more talented students, Dr. Kvam did not see a benefit to the active learning method. Beneficiaries were primarily the above average to below average students. Dr. Kvam stated that the study indicated that active learning helped these students retain more than students in the traditional class. Because of the small number of students returning for the second exam, he could not make a stronger statement. Still, Dr. Kvam’s study does provide one more indicator that non-traditional/active learning methods can be more effective than the traditional lecture.
My opinion
My opinion is based on 34 years of conducting technical skills training, developing technical skills training and managing technical trainers. For technical training, the classroom portion needs to be short, or as short as possible, broken up by practical exercises or hands-on lab sessions, as appropriate. Extended classroom sessions should have breaks about every hour, with some unexpected entertainment thrown in, such as short video clips that relate to the training being conducted. Other ideas include having a drawing or pop quiz with a small prize or award. People like to be recognized in front of their peers, and it can become pretty competitive.
If the class lends itself to hands-on lab sessions, divide the training into modules. The classroom session introduces the hands-on lab session. For technical subjects, this has proven to be the most effective method of training. If possible, have the hands-on lab sessions on the same equipment or devices they will be working on. Mockups and simulators work well for some subjects, not so well for others. Training on the real-deal always works. It’s helpful if trainees work in teams of two, so they can discuss and assist each other, with the instructor jumping in to guide and demonstrate where needed. (See Figure 2.)
Make sure everyone participates in class and in the labs. Someone who is not engaged is not learning, no matter what they say. Make physical contact. Pat people on the shoulder as you walk by. I like to walk and talk. I’ll circle the room and stop to engage different people. Some instructors tell jokes; I like to aggravate and challenge the students.
An effective outcome
Different people with different backgrounds and experience, along with differing abilities, skills and tendencies are going to learn in different ways. Those successful in school probably can learn effectively by traditional methods. Others who cannot learn as effectively using traditional methods either have to work harder to score lower or find a different career path. Motivated people will learn and retain at a higher rate, as will people who are under pressure to learn.
Whether you have any confidence in the actual percentages given by the cone of learning or not, the basic concept supports my personal experience and the experience of others I know and associate with in the technical training area. Training has to be focused on what is pertinent for the attendee to know in order to perform their job tasks. The more focused it is, and the more hands-on lab sessions that can be worked into the training, the more effective technical skills training will be.
[Source: www.ishn.com]
What’s Your Trainer IQ?
Soon after beginning an operator evaluation, the trainer notices that the evaluation form indicates the operator will require additional training. The instructor waits for the operator to finish the current task and then signals the operator to stop. The trainer approaches the operator and issues instructions for the next task.
Question – Why did the instructor allow the evaluation to continue even though it was clear that the operator was unsuccessful?
Answer – The practical evaluation is used to to gather information about the operator’s understanding and ability to demonstrate safe operating procedures. This information is needed, regardless of the outcome of the evaluation. A practical evaluation not only indicates whether additional training is required but how much additional training is needed and in which particular area the additional training is needed (e.g., pre-use, loading, unloading, etc.). If the evaluation is stopped early, the flow of all of this information stops which defeats the entire purpose of the exercise.
Ask Bob
Hi Bob, my question is about using a work platform on a telehandler forklift. When using a work platform that is within my CG will I use the fork load chart and reduce the lift by the weight of the basket? I do not see where the manufacturer has a specific load chart for work platforms. Thank you, Anthony.
Hi Anthony, in regards to mounting a work platform on a telehandler, please note that ANSI/ITSDF B56.1 states:
5.15 Elevating Personnel
5.15.1 A rough terrain forklift truck shall not be used to lift people unless there is no other practical option. If a rough terrain forklift truck must be used to lift people, the following precautions for the protection of personnel shall be taken:
(t) the combined mass (weight) of the platform, load, and personnel shall not exceed one-third of the capacity at the related load center position as indicated on the information plate(s) of the rough terrain forklift truck on which the platform is used;
Also keep in mind that if you are using a variable reach (telehandler) RT unit, the capacity will change based on the configuration (boom position, use of outriggers, etc.) which means you can’t exceed 1/3 of the rated capacity in the unit’s weakest configuration throughout the lift.
In addition, many RT telehandler manufacturers prohibit the use of their units as personnel elevating devices so be sure to look in the manufacturer’s make and model specific manual for information on it first.
Hope that helps! Bob.
Last Chance to Register!
We have limited seats available in the following upcoming trainer programs…
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Loader Group Trainer April 28-May 2
Premium Combo Trainer May 5-9
Rough Terrain Forklift Trainer Upgrade May 22
Trainer Recertification May 23
Aerial Lifts Trainer June 2-5
Kelowna, British Columbia
Express Counterbalanced Forklift Trainer April 23-24
Trainer Recertification April 25
Oshawa, Ontario
Premium Forklift Trainer May 26-29
Trainer Recertification May 30
Kapolei, Hawaii
Trainer Recertification May 5
Sacramento, California
Express Counterbalanced Forklift Trainer May 7-8
Trainer Recertification May 9
Aerial Lifts Trainer June 3-6
Tukwila, Washington
Premium Forklift Trainer May 12-15
Rough Terrain Forklift Trainer Upgrade May 16
Aerial Lifts Trainer May 28-30
Las Vegas, Nevada
Aerial Lifts Trainer June 3-5
Trainer Recertification June 6
Looking for other program dates? View our calendar.
What’s Wrong With This?
Check out the photo below, can you spot what’s wrong?
Answer to Last Month’s WWWT?
Last month we shared a photo of an operator slinging a load, a practice that is often referred to as “free rigging” which involves using slings, chains, shackles, etc. across the blades of the forks in order to engage and lift a load slung below them.
It is not necessarily prohibited but since OSHA and other regulatory authorities consider it a modification to the unit because it affects its capacity and/or safe operation, it must only be done under the strict protocols of the manufacturer or Qualified Registered Professional Engineer, not to mention OSHAs requirements for changing machine data plates accordingly when modifications are made.
Because this operator appears to be driving over somewhat rough ground with a slung load with no attended tag lines, and the load is leaning and does not appear to be properly rigged, apparently he is not operating under any protocols at all! Of course, all this could be avoided by using a lifting attachment approved for making such lifts as this.
Class Photo
Here’s a class photo from our recent Loader Group Trainer Program at Safety Center Inc in Sacramento, California. What a great looking group – welcome aboard!
Interesting News Articles
- OHSA could take over Arizona division… more
- Stop work order issued fatality involving backhoe in northern Alberta… more
- 5 safety measures every construction worker must take… more
- Knowing your forklift’s load capacity… more
- Minnesota company fined for worker’s death (photo below)… more
Incident Reports
Pinned By Machine – Los Angeles California
A man operating a scissor lift at a major airport sustained minor injuries when he was briefly pinned against a building by the lift, according to officials. The injured worker was freed by coworkers, and then taken to a nearby hospital with back pain and minor torso trauma. He was listed in good condition, according to a fire department spokesperson. [www.dailybreeze.com]
Struck by Machine – Reno, Nevada
A worker from an equipment rental company was killed when a forklift fell on him as he was loading it onto a truck. The man was loading the forklift onto a flatbed at a customer’s site when it began to roll forward. As the worker ran alongside it to try to stop it, the forklift fell on him and crushed him to death. [www.ktvn.com]
Power Line Contact – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
A worker operating an aerial work platform was injured by electric shock at an equipment rental facility when the lift hit a power line. He was taken to the hospital and listed in good condition. [www.news9.com]
Pinned by Machine – Old Fort, North Carolina
The owner of a company that builds log homes died at a construction site when he was pinned under the rough-terrain forklift he was driving. Police reported that the man apparently lost control of the forklift which then left the road and ran down a steep hill, somehow pinning him beneath. He was dead by the time rescuers arrived. [www.mcdowellnews.com]
Source: [Lift and Access March-April 2014]
New Documents Available For Download
We’ve added the following documents to the Member Dashboard:
- Stability Pyramid PowerPoint Presentation
- Operator Recertification Notepad Cards Template
- Aerial Lifts Operator Requalification Procedures
- Operator Documentation & Certification Procedures
- Practical Evaluation Percentage Chart
Go to www.ivestraining.com, click “Sign In” and then enter your email and password. Next, click “Downloadable Materials & Updates” and you will see a list of documents available.
Upcoming Events
We’ll be exhibiting at the following trade shows and conferences in 2014:
- Pacific Rim Safety & Health Conference. Honolulu, HI. May 7-9
- ASSE Conference & Expo. Orlando, FL. June 8-11
- NSC Congress & Expo. San Diego, CA. September 14-19
Client Testimonials
“IVES is top notch, keep up the good work!” Jon, Miwall Corp.
“This course was excellent… The instructor was one of the best instructors I have ever had. Hats off to the instructor and the IVES course!” Timmy, Calfrac Well Services.
“Thoroughly enjoyed the program. Wouldn’t make any changes.” Derrick, Newfoundland & Labrador Liquor Corp.
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