Tiger Team proposes safety solution for equipment operators

Improving safety for operators was a key goal of a tiger team that was formed last year after front line employees expressed a desire for more training with heavy equipment. To help do that and develop consistent qualifications for employees, the internal team of experts* sought a partnership with an accredited training institution in North Idaho.

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*Members include: Steve Spoor, Shannon Thornton, Bud Converse, Tony Loomer, Amanda Regnier, JR Grotjohn, Eric Copeland, Jason Fisher, Michelle Doane, Mike Stowell, Bob Schumacher and formerly Jesse Barrus.
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“Certification will ensure competency before we put people on equipment,” said Steve Spoor, manager for maintenance services and the leader of the tiger team. “We have an obligation to train all of our people on all equipment equally.”

Spoor and other teammates worked with Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) to create a curriculum for dump trucks, snow plows and loaders.

The team envisions that new employees would receive a combined 80 hours of training in the field and in the classroom from trainers, followed by on-the-job experience with their fellow workers, before taking a test to be certified. To create flexibility in the process, trainers—and not every transportation tech—will be sent to KTEC before traveling throughout the state to instruct others.

“We didn’t want to limit how and when the foremen hired employees,” Spoor said. “That’s why we have internal trainers and the partnership with KTEC.”

Besides operation of the equipment, training will cover some maintenance and pre-trip inspection duties.
Recent hires who do not initially pass the test will receive more on-the-job training before being retested. Older employees must take the test, but not the training, when their existing certifications expire.

Certifications will be required for temporary employees, which will likely involve advanced scheduling.

The equipment operator training program will eventually expand to include backhoes, especially for techs on the second step within their horizontal career path, but at this time the focus is on equipment relevant to the first step. In the future, the team hopes to include training for CDL and all other equipment operated by transportation techs.

By partnering with KTEC, training will evolve with the equipment, keeping certifications up to date and enhancing workers’ skills.

The team currently aims to begin teaching trainers in July, pending a decision from the Highways Leadership Team on who—contractors, full time employees or a combination—will serve as trainers.

Published 06-29-18