About Total Equipment Training

So you finally decided it was time to get your people trained on that crane, or is it time to get some refresher training on your powered industrial truck before your operator's card expires.

Finding the right company to train your people can be a difficult, confusing and an expensive endeavor. You will want to make sure that who ever you bring in will be willing to meet the customized needs of your company and your employees.

1: Will the company be flexible enough to customize their courses and still be stringent enough to meet OSHA requirements?

2: Will there be an effective blend of both classroom study and most importantly, practical hands on training?

3: Will the instructor have years of practical experience?

4: Are the training materials customized to your company's equipment type?

5: Will a pre-test be given to determine strengths and weaknesses of the course participants, to ensure efficient and effective training?

6: Will a qualificaiton license and/or certificate of completion be given to the course participants, as proof of training?

7: Will the skill level of the course participants be recognized and proper adaptations be made?

Question 1: Will the company be flexible enough to customize their courses and still be stringent enough to meet OSHA requirements?
A. Let's face it, your time is important and every minute your people are off the job site is costing your company money. A good program needs to fit in to you time restraints. It should also be specific to the type of equipment being used and still provide a good basic fundamental knowledge of the topc.

Question 2: Will there be an effective blend of both classroom study and most importantly, practical hands on training?
A: Classroom training is an excellent venue for instruction in safety and instruction on basic applications. Still experience has shown that practical hands-on exposure ensures longer retention of the subject.

Question 3: Will the instructor have years of practical experience?
A: It is true, any instructor worth his salt can take a subject and present it clearly, professionally and cover the basic knowledge set of just about any topic. But, an instructor who has had years of experience in a subject builds a special rapport with his class. Adding his wisdom and personal anecdotes makes the class more interesting and helps improve retention.

Question 4: Are the training materials customized to your company's equipment type?
A: General knowledge is important, but OSHA demands that a qualified operator be one who is actually trained on the type of equipment he is using. A good training company would ensure that the trainer be available to speak to you and discuss your company needs. They should ask about load chart availability or any site safety issues. In some cases a visit may be in order, especially if the course is focused on the specific safety issues of your company (i.e. HAZMAT/HAZCOMM or Confined Space training).

Question 5: Will a pre-test be given to determine strengths and weaknesses of the course participants, to ensure efficient and effective training?
A: A pre-test is an excellent aid for any instructor. It points out the strengths of a class and helps the instructor gear the course toward the weaknesses.

Question 6: Will a qualification license and/or certificate of completion be given to the course participants, as proof of training?
A: Good record keeping is important in all businesses. "If there are no records, the job wasn’t done."

Question 7: Will the skill level of the course participants be recognized and proper adaptations be made?
A: Not everyone in the class is going to be a novice on the subject. Total Equipment Training instructors recognize this and are able to use the experiences of the more knowledgeable students to keep the class interesting and involved.

These are the types of questions that need to be asked when selecting the right training facilitators.

Total Equipment Training Inc. had its start as the training and inspections department of AmQuip, a thirty-six year old company famous worldwide for providing a quality crane rental service. In the Spring of 2003, the training and inspection department divested from AmQuip, creating Total Equipment Training.

Continuing the history of quality and excellence, Total Equipment Training carries a wealth of experience in a variety of industries and equipment. Always emphasizing safety, our trainers guide students through courseware with professionalism and wisdom that only comes with years of practical exposure.

Inspections are thorough and are in accordance with OSHA. Clients can get load test performed along with pre and post inspections.

Experience has shown the majority of failures of any mechanical device are usually traceable to poor or nonexistent training and many accidents could have been eliminated through simple training, pre-use inspections or preventative maintenance. It is important that cranes, forklifts, Aerial Work Platforms and other equipment are regularly inspected and anyone associated with the equipment be properly trained on its proper use and operation.

No two training classes are ever the same. Total Equipment Training is able to customize training so it may meet your company’s specific training needs, in both a hands-on and classroom setting.

Regardless of what industry you are in, the courses designed by Total Equipment Training relate to your machinery, site and concerns. Total Equipment Training offers a full line of operator and safety courses.