Category Archives: training

The Importance of Training for Heavy Equipment Operators

Heavy equipment operators play a vital role in the construction industry. They are responsible for operating machinery that is used to move earth, dig foundations, lift and transport heavy loads, and perform other important tasks. Due to the nature of their work, it is essential for heavy equipment operators to have proper training. In this article, we will discuss the importance of training for heavy equipment operators.

  1. Safety: Heavy equipment can be dangerous if not operated properly. A trained operator knows how to avoid accidents and reduce the risk of injury. They understand the importance of wearing personal protective equipment, inspecting machinery before use, and following safety protocols. They also know how to respond to emergencies and how to communicate effectively with other workers on the job site.
  2. Efficiency: A trained operator can operate heavy equipment more efficiently than an untrained one. They know how to use the equipment properly, which reduces the risk of damage and breakdowns. They also know how to perform routine maintenance, which ensures that the equipment is always in good working condition. An efficient operator can complete tasks more quickly, which can save time and money for the construction company.
  3. Compliance: Many states and municipalities require heavy equipment operators to have a license or certification. A trained operator can obtain the necessary credentials and comply with local regulations. This can prevent fines and legal issues that can arise from non-compliance.
  4. Skill: Heavy equipment operation requires skill and expertise. A trained operator has the knowledge and experience to handle different types of equipment and perform various tasks. They know how to read blueprints, operate controls, and maneuver the machinery in tight spaces. This level of skill can improve the quality of work and prevent mistakes that can be costly for the construction company.
  5. Professionalism: A trained operator is a professional who takes pride in their work. They understand the importance of showing up on time, communicating effectively with co-workers and supervisors, and maintaining a positive attitude. A professional operator is an asset to any construction company and can help to build a positive reputation in the industry.

In conclusion, training is essential for heavy equipment operators. It improves safety, efficiency, compliance, skill, and professionalism. A trained operator is an asset to any construction company and can contribute to the success of any project. If you are interested in becoming a heavy equipment operator, seek out a reputable training program and invest in your future.

Want to know your machine – Make good use of training manual

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We all want to pursue a stream that promises us with a good career and simultaneously have sufficient income so that we can have a pretty descent standard of living. This is the desire of every person and which is why we all take special care to choose our career path wisely. One such industry that gives its people a promising career is construction. There are huge requirement of skilled men in this part of the industry. Right from engineers to laborers, all need to know their bit with precision and therefore it is a no brainer why many see a good growth prospect in this industry and every opportunity to fulfill their dreams.

This sector usually have high requirement of operators who can work with the heavy equipments with ease. It is to be remembered that heavy equipments are not so simple to handle and there is every possibility of an accident occurring if the operator does something wrong on his part. It is therefore very crucial on the part of the operators to know what they are dealing with and befriend the machine, know it well before they go full-on with it.

Training is an important component:-

Practice makes a person better but something that comes before practice is proper training. Firstly, you should know the different aspect of a machine and then you put your hands on it. Heavy equipments are usually complex piece of metal and it takes time for one to understand it completely. You may have to go through various courses in order to know a machine that has various new gadgets in it. For instance, if your company has bought a machine that was used in the military and whose functions are absolutely alien to you. You probably do not understand much about the levers and buttons installed in that machine. This is when you need some training so that you get to know which switch does what.

It may not be as complex as it may look but it is still a new thing for you to learn. You can go through the training manual of machines that you are not aware of and understand it well before you put it to use.

Online training videos are great help:-

It sounds tedious to go through every page of the manual to understand the different features of the equipment. However, if you get a DVD that contains the training video, it will be of immense help to you. You only have to hear the things that you need to know. You may already know few things that is being shown in the video and you may want to skip that part. All you have to do is hit the fast forward button and move to the subject of your interest. Other than this, most of the training videos are free of charge. So you can just view them on YouTube for free and improve your skills.

Make good use of heavy equipment service manual and training videos

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When you are dealing with heavy equipment, there may be numerous occasions when your machine is not working due to some or the other problem and you are left high and dry as the mechanic who takes care of your equipment whenever they go bad has gone out for vacation. You are left with very limited option. You either have to get hold of some other mechanic who knows how to fix the issue or give the machine to the company’s service center. The second option sounds good but the challenge that you may face is they will take good deal of time to resolve the issue which can amount to days or even weeks.

In case, if you are in the mid of a project and you do not have any substitute for the faulty machines then you are in a big mess. However, you can avoid such a situation if you know how to go through the user manual and do things on your own. If you are a person who does not understand much of the user manual like many who do not understand anything after doing hours of reading, then you should preferably watch the training videos pertaining to your machine and to the problem that has occurred.

If you prefer going through the User Manual:-

The User Manual provided to you at the time you purchase the machine is a real good stuff to know more about your machine. Most of the problems that happens with the machine could be avoided if the person read the stuffs written in the User Manual before putting the machine to use. Right from how to start the equipment to how to switch it off, everything is written in detail. It is just that we busy people find it too lengthy to read and in this process we forget the fact that in the long run skipping this important part can have adverse effects on the equipment.

If you own a small construction company then you should be ready for any eventualities that happen with the construction equipment. It does not take long for things to go out of hand and since you are a small time company, you will find yourself in an extremely dark spot if you are not ready to tackle them. Therefore, it is absolutely essential for guys who own small sized construction companies to read their user manual before they put their machines to use. Simultaneously, they should also refer to the book every time they come across a situation where they do not know how to handle it. In case they are unable to deal with it any longer, they should take help of the mechanic.

If you prefer watching the training videos:-

Not everybody like to read and learn and for them who learns quickly by watching things than reading them, they should watch some training videos and learn more about the machine. The training videos will teach them the do’s and don’ts while operating the equipment. How frequently you should service the machine and what special care you should take to enhance its life.

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Give utter priority to the safety of workers

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In any kind of industry, the workers play a huge role in shaping up the structure of the company. They are the ones who work hard all day and night and make the future of the company bright and in return it becomes the moral responsibility of the business owners to take due care of its employees. Employees working in corporate sector may not have to put their lives on risk but when it comes to the construction industry, the workers there work by keeping their lives on the edge. Construction industry is undoubtedly full of perils and one has to understand the risks he takes before he signs up for the job. Keeping into consideration the nature of the job and the risks involved, it becomes very important for the owners of the construction companies to ensure that their workers get all the safety gears that will help them to do their job with ease and also provide safety from unwanted perils.

We will be talking in length about what all an employer can do to ensure the safety of its workers.

Wearing of safety gears is a must:-

Employers of every construction companies should make it a mandate for their workers to wear all the necessary safety gears when they are at work. The most basic is a helmet. So when they are inside the construction site, they should have their helmets on them. Other than this, they should be wearing gloves and sport a dark glass when they are into wielding stuffs. They should make use of the lifts to carry the materials with them and not carry them on their back or shoulders. There are many other appliances available that can be used to give a level of protection which they so rightly deserve.

Train the workers on the importance of safety:-

Workers working in a construction site do understand the perils involved with their job. What they do not realize is that they can be safe by wearing few appliances that can bring down the severity of perils to a larger extent. This is where a proper training is required. They should be informed that by wearing those gears they can minimize the risks. They should also be trained on how to use those gears. Some may have seen the gears for the first time in their life and will not know to use them. These sorts of folks should be trained to use the gears for their own benefit.

Negligence to safety should be avoided:-

Most of the times, it has been found that workers are negligent to wear any safety gears as they feel that the work does not involve much risk. Well, this kind of negligence should be avoided. There should be a mandate for all the workers have to follow the safety parameters while they are at work. The most common form of negligence is not wearing helmets inside the construction site. If needed, there should be a person appointed to supervise if all the workers have their safety gears on and if not then they should be asked to wear it before getting their hands on the job.

Know the Educational Requirements to become a Proficient Heavy Equipment Operator

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A heavy equipment operator needs to operate complex Heavy Equipment for various construction and mining projects in the building site. They need to undertake comprehensive and in-depth formal training in order to be skilful and dexterous in this field. Read this article carefully to learn if you are a heavy equipment operator.

Apprentice programs

Generally the heavy equipment operators start their career as apprentice or trainee. The apprenticeship training is given at various technical colleges and trade unions. Also post secondary institutions as well as professional associations are available. The technical and community colleges offer programs that are accredited by National Joint Apprentice and Training Committee and approved by state labour departments. The eligibility of the students enrolling for this course has to be 18 years of age and must have a driving license. The driving licence is required since sometimes the heavy equipment needs to be operated on roads. The duration of the courses span up to 4 years. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics the students undertaking the apprenticeship programs have better chances of landing jobs, as they are well equipped and have comprehensive knowledge about varieties of heavy equipments than the college goers.

Classroom Job Training

In the classroom job training students wanting to become heavy equipment operators are given education on safety processes and policies. The safety procedures include operation of safety equipments as well as pre functioning process. The courses thoroughly comply with guidelines laid by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. The courses also give emphasis on eliminating hazardous wastes.

Among other popular courses heavy equipment protection and repairing them. Operators are given training on greasing machine parts or joining machine parts by soldering or welding.

Practical Training

Like other professional courses practical training is very important for the heavy equipment operators to hold them in good stead and prepare them for a bright career ahead. Here they are given training on the application of the heavy equipment such as landscaping and grading a site using tractors or bulldozers.

 

 

Extra Requirements:

Operator’s need to have a  commercial driver’s  licence(CDL) since they sometimes will have to transport the equipments from one place to another in the construction sites.

Career Prospects:

Graduates can find lucrative careers as operators in pipeline operations, CPR and waste operations. They can also peruse their career as trouble-shooters or equipment repairer.

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics has divulged that the average salary per annum for operating engineers is high and lucrative. Some years ago the highest -paying business organisations asked these heavy equipment workers to perform support activities for road shipping, scientific investigation services, health and surgical infirmaries, and generation of electricity. Each of these workers or operators was remunerated a per annum average salary of $58,500 or in excess of that.

The BLS predicts that employment prospects for construction heavy equipment operators will be enhanced by 19% between the year of 2012 and 2022. Operators accessible to work in urban areas with technical know-how are expected to be the most benefitted ones with bright employment prospects. The operator who knows to operate more than one heavy equipment is also believed to have optimistic career.

So if you are planning to become a heavy equipment operator undergo some practical training. It will prepare you for a bright and lucrative career ahead. With increase in construction projects it has already become a popular career option among many and in future it is likely to grow as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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