8 replies to this topic

[Emax]

Though this topic is mainly directed at those who get their hands dirty working at ski resorts, I post it here so as not to cover other important topics in the "members-only" forums. The moderators may feel free to move this to any location they think is appropriate.

During my (embarrassingly long) stint in this industry, I have noticed several universal negative truths - (okay, I'm aware of many positive ones as well) - but the one that is on my mind today is the blind assumption that all breathing male humans instinctively understand tools... all tools.

Our shops are often populated with great bench grinders sporting tortured wheels; abrasive cut-off saws with chunks missing from their blades; drill presses with ruined chucks broken tables and missing chuck keys - that are less accurate than a hand-held drill; radial and table saws with ruined blades and untrue fences; wire wheels with badly adjusted rests (or none at all). The list could go on ad infinitum - welders, grinders, hydraulic punches - even simple hand tools that have been ruined through misuse.

Many of these (potentially) useful items are expensive (read: hard to get the resort to purchase) - and many of them can easily injure or even kill an unskilled user. Sadly, many of the workers I've encountered should not be allowed to use any tool more expensive (or dangerous) than a screwdriver.

It seems to me that it is the responsibility of an employer that has such tools - and that expects its employees to put them to good use - to provide some degree of orientation before a person is permitted to use them. It's true that some people arrive on the job fully competent - how much of their expertise is passed on to those who are not?

Do any resorts participating in this forum have a program for basic tool-use qualification?
Perhaps a useful thread might be "common tools 101". I'm sure we could all contribute something.

[cjb]

Good point about tool use. Many are weak there. I know that our lift ops department created a training sign off for anyone using a cordless drill (ie; for setting mazes), ski school and patrol have now adopted the same training. Our previous dept handbook and (very slowly developing) new hand book both have sections on basic tool/shop safety. We are lucky with a GM that supports replacing tools when they have gotten to the point of being dangerous and we have a tool allowance for the same purpose for personal tools.

This post has been edited by cjb: 17 January 2009 - 02:49 PM

[cjb]

handout from CSIA Romec 1-2008, other tool safety handout and DMM safety from fluke site attached.

Attached File(s)

•  hand_tool_safety.pdf (184.54K)
  Number of downloads: 27
•  DMM_safety.pdf (493.63K)
  Number of downloads: 30
•  ROMEC_hand_tools_HO.doc (33K)
  Number of downloads: 20

[Andoman]

While I'm not in the ski industry, I run a medium size heavy construction company and we maintain our own equipment. Because of the things you listed above we've installed a large tool cage that houses everything but a few basic china brand wrench sets and yes the deadly screwdrivers (you would be surprised how badly someone can injure themselves with just a screwdriver). The cage contains welders, grinders, presses, etc along with a work station large enough for two people to comfortably work. We keep this cage locked and the only people that have keys are the foremen, assistant foreman, and myself (I probably wouldn't kill myself with a screwdriver so much as take off the occasional fingernail). Unfortunately, because of the size of the equipment we work on we have to allow everything to be on wheels which complicates matters somewhat. During this change over process the tools have been upgraded to higher quality manufacturers, and we have a much lower replacement rate. I know this doesn't exactly relate to your shop but we all have the same problems.

FYI - the foremen/assistant foremen are required to supervise any tool use by the other employees.

This post has been edited by Andoman: 17 January 2009 - 02:58 PM

[Lift Kid]

I also don't work in the maintenance industry, but I do have experience in the woodworking industry, as my dad owns a custom cabinetry and home remodeling company. I help him out time to time. All of his employees have experience in the field, so he doesn't really have problems with misuse of tools. However, I have seen some serious tool abuse or misuse (by sub-contractors) on some of his job sites. I will admit that people need more common sense, and just overall training.

I am actually working on learning to weld as well. A welder moved into the shop space next to my dad's, and he has promised to teach me (using his elaborate inventory of equipment) numerous types of welding. I'm rather looking forward to that.

I feel that ski areas should probably provide a training program for all tools in the shop. I know that at the ski area where I work, there is no training program, not that we need one. All of our maintenance guys are old-timers, and there are only a couple of em'. They are in charge of golf course equipment repair and operation in the summer, along with grooming/vehicle maintenance and operation, as well as Lift Maintenance and snowmaking. So for all of those ski areas who don't employ all old-timers, training sounds like a good idea. It's part of the job.

[Kicking Horse]

Lift Kid, on Jan 17 2009, 04:58 PM, said:

I feel that ski areas should probably provide a training program for all tools in the shop. I know that at the ski area where I work, there is no training program, not that we need one. All of our maintenance guys are old-timers, and there are only a couple of em'. They are in charge of golf course equipment repair and operation in the summer, along with grooming/vehicle maintenance and operation, as well as Lift Maintenance and snowmaking. So for all of those ski areas who don't employ all old-timers, training sounds like a good idea. It's part of the job.

I would like to see a refresher course from time to time... ;) Kinda like What lift ops, ski patrol and the list goes on does.

[mthornton]

cjb, on Jan 17 2009, 03:48 PM, said:

handout from CSIA Romec 1-2008, other tool safety handout and DMM safety from fluke site attached.

This Fluke safety handout is really excellent, and will get read by all concerned at Panorama

----

25 years ago I completed my electrical apprenticeship under a savy Cockney mine sparkey (& a fine gentleman) named Roy Brooks. A superb electrician.
Roy's favorite saying : "You can make something idiot-proof.... but you can't make it focking idiot-proof"

One day, Roy got a nice new Fluke 77. He measured the current through a 480V thruster-motor, then tried to measure the voltage accross it's leads, forgetting to swap the leads over to the volts jacks. Blew a hole right through his hand. "Focking idiot!" he said afterwards.

20 years later, I too earned an ugly scar on my left hand on a very bad day. FI! Be so careful out there.

[Emax]

That Fluke document is a keeper!

I keep six Fluke 115s as "hand-outs" so that anyone who needs a meter can grab one - and so no one grabs MINE.
It didn't take long to realize that I needed to permanently plug-up the "Amps" jack on all of them. The survival rate of both meters and users has improved. Most casual meter users have no need to measure current.

[Altatech]

amen, Bud, our dedicated mechanics who usually have a rollaround box in their garages tend to stock their tool packs with their own tools that are off limits to all but them. The company furnishes shop, and mountain tools for the remainder of the mechanics that might as well be called "disposable" seeing as they know how to use them, but not how to keep track of, or care for them. Spring melt off brings out a plethora of rusted wrenches for them to refirbish. J.R.