Train for teamwork
1 May, 2005 By: Landscape Management Staff LM Special ReportsA fall rundown of snow removal equipment, policies and procedures keeps operations running smooth when winter hits
Maintenance people typically feel a keen obligation to the traveling public. They have a kind of esprit de corps that comes only with training and experience.
Proper training for snowfighting is vital. It provides the know-how to get the job done and encouragement to perform in a way that brings praise rather than discredit to your organization.
Many snow and ice removal organizations conduct training courses in the early fall to ensure that:
- Equipment operators fully understand how to operate and maintain plows, spreaders, loaders and other equipment used for winter maintenance.
- All employees are thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities.
- All employees receive a full review of snow removal schedules, snow routes and personnel and equipment assigned.
- Dry runs are made over areas to be covered during actual snowfighting operations.
- All employees understand how salt works in snow and ice so they know how, when and in what amounts it should be applied.
The underlying theme of all training sessions should be the Sensible Salting concept, which includes:
- Proper covered storage
- Good maintenance of storage areas
- Good equipment maintenance and knowledge of equipment
- Proper spreader calibration
- Proper salt application
- Concern for the environment as well as the public's safety
Why have a fall training meeting?
A session on snow and ice removal well ahead of winter gives your team a chance to discuss plans with the people expected to carry them out. This meeting is a refresher course on snowfighting tactics for experienced employees and an introduction to winter maintenance techniques for new personnel.
This meeting gives management a chance to formally review the previous winter's operation with operators and supervising personnel. Use it to determine what may have gone wrong last winter, then make corrections.
Promote a free exchange of ideas at the fall meeting. Encourage all personnel to speak up. New ideas and better tactics can come out of this session.
—Reprinted with permission from the Salt Institute, Alexandria, VA. For more information call 703/549-4648 or visit www.saltinstitute.org.
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