Tag Archives: heavy equipment operators

How to hire competent operators

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Hiring competent workforce can be a real challenge for any company. They often see this as a pain and the HR finds this to be the most challenging task out of the many activities they conduct on a daily basis. It is simply not possible for any human being to judge another person by having a 15 minute talk. You may not know if the person knows about the subject that the company wants him to work on or for that matter how the person will be facing once he is hired. If the job demands a person who can work under pressure, it is virtually not possible for an HR to identify the person who can indeed work under pressure and still deliver results. But when the company needs human resource, the HR team has to get into this work of hiring men/women and they have to ensure that they pick the right guys/gals from the lot that come for the interview.

The construction industry is a highly competitive business and here the impact of hiring a wrong candidate can prove to be really costly to the company. The HR of the company does understand the seriousness of the business and this is the reason why they take utter precaution while hiring for important positions. They conduct levels of interview with the same person in order to judge the kind of person he/she is. The different levels of interviews are held by different people and then their view on the interviewee is collated and a decision is finally taken if they all agree to hire him or not.

Hiring an operator becomes more challenging because here the person interviewing the candidate should have little technical knowledge about heavy equipment and how it works. So firstly, the ground level HR can interview him by checking his credentials and qualifications. If the HR finds him to be apt then he goes to the next round where he is interviewed by guys with sound technical knowledge.

Asking the right question is important:-

When you are hiring an operator, you can’t ask him questions that are relevant to a mechanic. You should be checking with him the different types of heavy equipment that he/she has worked on and the models. On the basis of his answer, you should be putting forth your next question. He may not be able to answer a question that does not fall within his domain and therefore asking the right question is important.

Check his skills on the machine:-

When you are hiring heavy equipment operator, you should make it a point to check his skills on the machine. You can provide him with construction equipment and give him a task to complete. The task should not be a complex one as you are only checking his skill and not trying to get a part of the work done. You need to see how well he can maneuver and how smooth he is on the machine. If the operator is really good on it, you can hire him.

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Team work is an important component in the construction business

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When you are running a huge business that has many genres and departments you can make it a success only when you have people who work as a team. Running a big business is not a joke and it takes lot of wit and cautiousness when it comes to taking important decisions. You do not know if the decision that you have taken will be beneficial for you or will it harm the prospect of the business but you still have to take a call. This is when you depend on your team and believes that if you take a call to go ahead on a project you have your entire team to back you up and will face all hardships together. There are several instances where it has been proven that a single man can’t make all the difference. He may become a good leader if he believes in bringing the change but he definitely needs his team to follow him and show excellent team work.

Construction industry like all other industries firmly believes in team work. You have plenty of departments if you are attached to a big project and the success of the project lies on how cordially the entire team can perform. The team has to display great team work and they all have to follow what their leader says and got to complete the task on time. This also shows how important of the role of a team leader is while handling a big project. Right from the heavy equipment operators to its mechanics and the construction workers, they all have to work in tandem with each other. When we talk about team work it does not mean that there is no place for any dispute within the team.

Disputes do arise but it is the responsibility of the group leader or his seniors to address the issue then and there and try to get it sorted. It is quite natural for the employees to expect quick remedy of their problems rather than having to deal with the issue for months. This is why the management in a construction company needs to ensure that they address the issue without any delays. The morale of the workers should not be brought down by any means and if their well-being is taken care then that will play a mighty role in increasing support from the team members.

Rewards and recognitions should be quite usual. It should not take time for the superiors or people from the management to acknowledge the efforts and hard work of the employees. Employees from all departments should be awarded for their good work and a tradition should be made where employees from various departments come under one roof to collect their awards. In this way they will also know people from other departments. This will explore their options of learning new things by engaging with people from different teams. These little things play a big role in ensuring that there is a cordial environment and people continue to work as a team.

Heavy equipment companies offering gifts to operators during Christmas

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The month of December is here and it reminds us of nothing but only Christmas. We tend to forget our worries, our hardships and just want to flow with the good time around. We see everyone happy and that definitely has an impact on us and the way we take things. Though it snows in most part of the country, we still find it pleasurable and do not get annoyed of the cold weather. We struggle to move out in the snow but we still do that to bring gifts for our near and dear ones and this joy can’t be compared with any other joy that we get each and every year. We believe that the construction industry is never at rest but probably this is the only time when they do not care a lot about their business. Though work is carried on as usual if it is a very important project which has strict deadlines but other than that, people tend to take leaves and have a good time with their families.

This is also particularly the period when the employees of a construction company receive lot of gifts from all corners and one such entity that showers good number of gifts to the operators is the heavy equipment manufacturing companies. Right from the month of December, they pull out a list of construction companies that have purchased heavy equipment from them and set a margin on the kind of gifts they would be giving. It ideally goes this way. The company that have bought more number of machines will get sort of expensive gifts and the ones who have just given a minor push to their sales figure will be given quality gifts but may not be classy ones.

The heavy equipment manufacturing companies usually grade the operators a lot. They believe that the feedback of the operators does matter a lot and therefore they should be rewarded for their unbiased feedback. This is why they buy gifts particularly for the operators and for the people who are in the upper management. It seems that they are only entitled to offer gifts in kind and not in cash to the operators or else it may also result in bribing and therefore they ensure that they do not get into any sort of problem.

Many heavy equipment companies offer some gift vouchers which can be redeemed at only those restaurants that is defined in the gift voucher. This means that they can’t make use of it in any restaurant in the city and have to selectively go to only those places that are mentioned in the voucher. Some operators are also given vouchers that they use only for shopping. Hence, if they want to use it to eat in a restaurant, they can’t use them. They have to necessarily go and buy some accessories or stuffs that they like from a particular shopping center only. However, it is still worthy to get a gift during Christmas as one can certainly make good use of it.

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Operators need specialized trainings to work on different machines

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For special jobs, you need men who have full-fledged knowledge about the work and also experience to handle that kind of work without hassles. Now this knowledge and experience are secondary. What is primary is the training that is given to the person to do that kind of job. In the construction sector, every person is trained to do his part of the job well but it is the operators/mechanics who require specialized training to work on different kinds of heavy equipment. Though the primary function of every machine may be the same but in order to work them out like a professional, the operator has to get himself trained for some weeks and then try his hand doing the actual job. He may find it difficult in the beginning but as he prepares himself for the task on the machine, he will find his comfort zone in the new heavy equipment.

Need to be slow in the beginning:-

When the operator first starts to get trained on the new heavy equipment, he should be slow with maneuvering the machine. He may have worked earlier on years on a particular type of heavy equipment but the new one is different and it may act differently in different situations. So he needs to first know the various functions that are available in the machine and how it impacts the overall movement of the equipment. Once he gets his hands on it, it will be a piece of cake for him. Also, when situation changes he need to again go slow and check how the machine reacts.

For instance, if the operator is given to work on an updated version of a CAT excavator which is huge in size and is used for operations in the forest/construction area. The forest land in every location is different so will the machine act differently. The operator needs to be extra careful when he moves out of one forest location and enters the new one. The land out there may be full of ditches or quite muddy to not have a stable ground for the machine. This will give a hard time for the operator to work on the new excavator.

Should remember the different functions:-

Normally when you are accustomed to working with a set of a machine, you tend to know the in and out of it. If someone closes your eyes and instruct you on what you should be doing, you may perhaps have little problem but will reach your hands to the right buttons inside the machine. This is because you know everything about it that you can work being blindfolded. Well, the case changes completely when you are handed over a new heavy equipment which does have its switches and buttons in the same place as it was in the old machine. So you need to get your hands trained on them as well. By no means can you press the wrong button or else you will end up in a big blunder.

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How to recruit competent operators

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Day in and day out we are witnessing a lot of changes in the way heavy equipment are being operated. It is primarily because of the ever increasing want of the consumer to make operating heavy equipment simpler and also because they want their work to be completed in comparatively lesser time so that they can concentrate on new projects. This has certainly given rise to the want of advanced heavy equipment and also simultaneously has given rise to the requirement of competent operators. Good operators have become a very rare commodity and are not easily found.

If you own a big construction house, you will not more than 6-7 operators who are highly experienced and know their job well. The other lot will always be a factor of worry for you. It has therefore become a skill to recruit competent operators for your company and we will discuss what exactly should be done to recognize their talent and make them a part of your organization.

Check how much they know about their work:-

It is important to check how knowledgeable the operator is as far as his work is concerned and how much he knows about heavy equipment. Check which all machines has he operated in the last 2 years and if there are any cases of accidents reported against him. Competencies do come with experience but that is certainly not the only criteria to become a competent operator. Therefore, you can also look for guys who do not have much experience but are still good with machines. You can ask them several questions pertaining to the equipment they have operated and check how correct they are while answering them. This will give you a hint on what kind of operator you are hiring.

Trial check is necessary to check their competency:-

In order to know how good they are in operating the heavy equipment, you can ask them to operate a machine and tell them what they need to do. Your instructions should be crystal clear so that they can perform the task without any confusion. Now if they complete the task without any error, you have the right guy for the job. This method of checking the competency of the operator is performed by many construction companies who are able to recruit ace operators.

 

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Veteran operators should act as role models to the newbie

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It is absolutely important for the tenured men to become role models for the new guys who would be taking over the work from them. You be a part of any industry but you need the experienced guys to teach you their work. You may have studied in the best of the institutions but having a hands-on knowledge is way too important than the bookish knowledge you have been imparted from your institution. Getting a degree from a college does not make you an expert. It is perhaps years of experience that comes into picture to become an expert in the field you are in. Therefore it is important to learn the tricks of the trade from a veteran of the industry who will impart you the knowledge which no institution can ever offer you.

Similarly, in the construction sector the work of an operator is considered to quite vital and when there are new recruits joining a construction company, it becomes the onus of the tenured operators to train them. They may have the technical knowledge but when it comes to practical training they will need your help. The new entrants coming straight from college aspiring to become ace operators have big dreams and it is your responsibility to give wings to their dreams. Help them in every possible manner you can. You become their teacher and apply every possible method to ensure that they do well on the jobsite.

Train them on understanding signals on jobsites:-

Comprehending signals is very crucial for an operator to perform in a construction site. He needs to read the signals well and understand what it means and accordingly move the machine. If he fails to understand it incorrectly, it may lead to a disaster. The veterans should ensure that the newbie learn to comprehend the signals and move the machine accordingly. Understanding the signals becomes all the more important in rugged terrain and bad weather conditions. Heavy equipment are required to work irrespective of the terrain and the operators are expected to work in that not so convenient condition. In such a situation, signals play a significant role for the operators to perform. The tenured operators should therefore offer their experience to the new guys and help them overcome any problem that they encounter on the ground.

Fix heavy equipment during breakdowns:-

Heavy equipment if breaks down during the course of work will result in no work on that day. This will lead to loss to the company. Heavy equipment usually give signs before completely breaking down and one can understand those signs only if they have worked on machines for years. The veterans can play a big role in understanding the state of the machine and can thus impart it to the recruits. When the machine is showing signs of breaking down, the veterans can point out the issue to the newbie and show how that can be fixed. In case if it requires involvement of an expert, the same should be explained to him.

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Be generous to pay operators with talent

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Companies normally pay more for talent. So a person who has acquired talent through years of experience and hard work should be definitely rewarded and he rightfully deserve every bit that he is paid. The construction industry is also known as a paymaster for people who knows the in and out of the industry and also termed as an asset to the company.

Through their experience they will be able to steer the future as well as the fortune of the company. They have seen different phases of the business and may know what to do under a given circumstances. When we look at the different levels in the construction industry we may find many people across genres who can be termed as efficient and people with immense talent. Right from a labor to an engineer every person has a role to pay and their talent is displayed by their work.

The talent and experience of an operator is nevertheless of immense significance to the construction company. The operator handles one of the most important parts of the business. He works on earth moving equipment and at the same time also takes care of it. He is the one who reports about any issues with the machine which is then rectified by a mechanic. He is also taken to task when a machine just stops working. His manager will want him to answer why he did not raise a flag when there was an issue with the machine. This means that he is suppose to take onus if anything goes wrong with it. So the operator who takes care of such vital things deserves to be paid more. The company should think about this seriously in case if they are of the opinion to save money on them.

Demand for talented operators does not perish:-

Since operators handle such an important department, the demand for their talent does not perish. Construction companies are always in the hunt talent with some years of experience in hand. They also check for candidates who have the will to learn more about his work. Someone who just does not want to stop learning is probably the man they want to have in their organization. Such men will always be in demand for what they owe and how they can shape up the future of the company.

There are few operators who take charge of the entire fleet of heavy equipment and ensure that nothing goes wrong on any given day. So if you ignore their hard work and pays them less than what they deserve, they may soon switch to a company that acknowledges them for their talent and hard work.

Companies who pay well have performed better:-

It has been noticed that companies who pay well to the deserving operators perform better than others. Their growth structure is on the upwards scale. If your operators are content with their salary, they may go out of their way and may give suggestions that will prove to be highly beneficial to the company.

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Hire operators rather than operating the machine on your own

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We can’t do everything on our own. Even the geniuses of our time and also in the past were not able to find success in all the things. They have to give away.  A few things to others who could do it better than them. Similarly, not everybody can operate heavy equipment. It is not child’s play that they can just sit in the cab and start working things inside. There are lots of stuff inside the cab which are very critical and if something is pressed incorrectly, it can lead to unwanted accidents, injuries or maybe even loss of life. You may also end up damaging your machine. Heavy equipment are highly expensive items and any damage to the machine can cost you dearly. Therefore, having the right person for the job is what every wise person will want to do.

We will talk about few a points stressing why we should hire an operator rather than operating the machine on our own.

Lack of expertise:-

We may be an expert in drawing strategy which is required for the growth of the business but if you now think of operating the machine knowing that it is not your strength, you may end up inviting trouble for yourself. Heavy equipment is quite a complex subject and not everyone can learn it well. It also requires good deal of practice to master the art of driving the machine. You just can’t wake up one day and start working inside the cab. If you don’t know much about operating machinery, the cab is just not the place for you. A qualified operator with years of experience can steer the equipment with much more ease than you can think of doing. So, it is better that you hand over the work to the expert and you do what you are good at.

Operators may know when the machine needs what:-

Many a times, heavy equipment give problems that could not be recognized clearly by a layman. It is not that the machine will stop working, but will give signs of ailment. A newbie may not realize the issue but an experienced operator will understand that there is something wrong with the machine and it needs to be checked. Alternatively, the operator knows when to service the machine, when to change the engine oil and when to replace an obsolete part with a fresh one. These are things that we may easily skip but an operator will take due care and ensure that the machine is always in order.

Saves cost of the mechanic:-

An operator has wide knowledge of the machine and therefore if anything goes wrong with the equipment, he can be in a position to fix it. Calling a mechanic can be avoided if you have an experienced hand on the machine. This will also ensure that your project does not take a beating just because the machine has a small glitch in it. Any small glitch can be taken care of by the operator.

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Heavy Equipment School – good platform to become well trained operator

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Well, the infrastructure industry is the most fast growing industry in the world. It has made a strong position in the field and thereby, the demands for heavy equipment operators are also increasing every day. Construction companies are completely relying on such heavy equipment like forklift, bulldozer and excavator. To maintain their work properly they have to purchase good and efficient equipment. Now, everybody cannot handle such machineries. It needs someone who has good training in this field and can operate such equipment easily. To meet the requirement of people, many heavy equipment training schools have come into the field, giving you a chance to get good training and improve your skills. In fact, now a day, every construction company seeks a license before appointing anyone in this job. If you are interested in this field then you should definitely take an admission to such a school. They provide national certificate of NCCER. Such certificate will help you a lot to get a good job in this field.

Heavy equipment training schools learn to handle the machines

The objectives that you are going to learn from such heavy equipment training schools are the basic. The prime objective of these schools is to well train the students and makes them aware of this industry. They offer a complete programme to the students that includes know the condition of the market, understand the trend of such heavy equipment and learn the risk of handling such heavy equipment. You can learn a lot of things from this school. There are various kinds of machines available in the market such as dozer, forklift, tractor, scraper, wheel loader, water truck, skid steer and backhoes. Every machine comes with different setting so you have to learn the different procedure of handling such machines. When you are going to work with heavy equipment, you have to learn its basic maintenance tips and safety processes. Without knowing such important things you cannot handle equipment. Moreover, training schools will help you to boost up your confidence level.

 

Job opportunities for the students of such heavy equipment schools

Well, schools are the best platform that can give you proper information and training on this field. It helps to increase your job opportunity in this field. You can learn a number of courses from these schools. Thereby, your scope of getting jobs will be increased. You can apply for various types of jobs regarding this field. They also make you able to work practically as they provide many practical classes to their students.  All these important classes will help you to be ready to face the challenges and work really well in this field. Students get multiple chances to shine in this field and earn good amount of money.

These are the main reasons that a person should get proper training in this field. There are many schools who give training on this field. You can search on internet to get their details.