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Ironworkers perform safe operating skills on a JLG scissor lift, supplied by Ahern Rentals. |
December 21, 2005 — Ironworkers in California are involved in a number of bridge and structural erection jobs that require the use of aerial work platforms and telehandlers — and training on the safe operation of this equipment has become a main focus of the Ironworker Union's annual training meeting. But Dick Zampa, director of the Ironworker's Union regional center in Oakland, Calif., found that a one-day session wasn't enough time to meet all workers' needs. As a result, a three-day train-the-trainer session was scheduled at the Union's regional center.
The training session created a unique partnership between the Ironworker's Union, Ahern Rentals, and JLG Industries, as the three entities each provided a different part in making the train-the-trainer session happen. The Ironworker's Union provided the trainees. JLG was in charge of conducting the training, which takes place at the company's McConnellsburg, Pa., factory, in Las Vegas, or, as in this case, on location if the number of students warrants it. Ahern Rentals, Fremont, Calif., donated a JLG boom lift, scissor lift, and SkyTrak telehandler for the training. Mike Fegan, general manager of Ahern's Fremont branch, said he's been donating machines for training sessions for more than two years and has also provided machines for tradesman training sessions in San Jose, San Francisco, and Benecia.
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Ahern Rentals has supplied a number of machines to tradesman training sessions, including this SkyTrak telehandler to the Ironworkers. |
Jim Smith, a JLG training coordinator, traveled to Oakland to provide training for 12 ironworkers from all over the state. JLG's train-the-trainer session includes instructional training methods, adult learning styles and theory, equipment operational theory, and proper machine inspections. On the second day of training, students are evaluated on their public speaking abilities and effective use of workshop materials during oral presentations. Day three is devoted to students conducting required machine inspections and then performing hands-on evaluations to demonstrate proficiency and safe operating skills for boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers. The three-day event is completed with three written exams covering proper aerial work platform operation, proper telehandler operation, and effective training techniques.
Of the 12 ironworkers in the class, Smith said his students were motivated to master the material, and they now know that the people that they are responsible for teaching need to be proficient and safe equipment operators • not only for their own well being, but also for the well being of others on the jobsite.
“Future employers of ironworkers benefit too,” Zampa said. “By hiring union ironworkers, they're getting workers that are properly trained in the safe operation of aerial work platforms and telehandlers and meet OSHA-enforced standards for training. It makes for a safer work site.”
