Picker Truck Operator Training

Photo Courtesy of Crane Works Canada
Alberta Picker Truck Training

There comes a time when handing the keys of a $150,000 and up oilfield service truck has to send shivers down the spine of owner who had to hire based on availability.

We don’t just ask you to bring a 4′ level to the training, what for?  There is NO way you can level any picker truck unless the ground is flat.  How many times I hear this makes it even more clear, there are those teaching this program who have no idea what they are doing.  When you have one set of outriggers, how do you expect to have a level vehicle?  it’s much like letting most of the air out of the driver side tires and expecting the truck to continue to drive in a straight line on the road, it’s just not going to happen.

I get there are companies trying to control costs, we do here as well, but as the end user keeps asking for lower prices the companies put “less experience” or “no experience” into the instructor position, and the customer is happy they got the lower price.  Our saying stands true from the beginning of time: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweet victory of low price has been forgotten“.

To find out about our program,  click HERE and due your due diligence on the type of training your company gets.  If you want the low price you won’t find that here, just good training practice.

SigAlarm High Voltage Proximity Warning Systems

A proximity warning system would have prevented this from happening
A proximity warning system would have prevented this from happening

Since becoming a dealer for the SigAlarm product we have literally sent out 100’s of introduction letters and brochures and by and large, many companies are receptive to learning more about high voltage warning systems in Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn’t matter whether you are in Fort McMurray, Fox Creek, Estevan or Williston, ND equipment and powerlines are a dangerous combination.  We have the ability to get you within 3m of any overhead power line (we choose 3, for a specific reason), and we can also help your equipment stop at a pre-determined area as well.

What industry is confused about is as “safety conscious”, there are mandates by many different industries on safety such as H2s, confined space, fall protection, all of which are successful and much needed.
What I simply can’t put my finger on is while many sites don’t have power lines intersecting them, I get that, however at many of the OilSands locations, facilities, Municipalities, etc that DO work around high-voltage over head lines, most don’t want to admit they need this type of system as they feel their operators and equipment training is sufficient to protect their employees.
We’ve seen time and time again where this simply isn’t true, in fact statistic show that many employees we train simply have no idea about the ability for electricity flash-over to occur is as dangerous as it really is, when those who work in the utility industry are properly trained is one thing, but those who work around the power lines take for granted something that sadly, could end their life (worst case), or seriously injure them (best case).
Lets prevent this, get educated, click HERE to download a checklist to ensure your operators DO NOT encounter the best or worse case…ever!

Please…have a safe work day!

Hiab Crane Training – What Do You Get

How many times do you hear your operator come back to the shop and say that the crane didn’t work the way it was supposed to, or it doesn’t lift what the chart says it does?

Another Successful Hiab Operator Training in Fox Creek
Another Successful Hiab Operator Training in Fox Creek

We hear this a lot and our answer is always the same, how much does the load weight to start with?  The answer we often get is a non-confident answer.
So, what do we do in a case like that?  It’s easy, we put our scale on the crane, pick and weight the load and guess what, just about every operator we train has woefully under-estimated the load they were picking up, and in fact, in over 80% of our trainings, we place a gentlemen’s bet on what the load weighs and so far, I’ve never had to buy lunch.

Does that mean you need a scale in your operation?  It may, if the load isn’t known, what do most operators do when they pick up the load, park the truck right beside the load, pick up the load, extend the crane until it stops.  Sound like your operators?  This is not the best way to run the crane or your truck, don’t let anyone guess and worse, tip the truck (stability is always an issue on most lease sites, let us show you how to eliminate ANY issues) over all by overlooking a simple little rule…more on that during the training.

 

 

 

 

Our crane scales are very portable, easy to use, large LED read out, even in the brightest of light, it can be read over 25′ away or you can get the optional hand held weight read out.   Or you can keep guessing…it’s your call.

Get a calibrated scale from www.KnuckleBoomTraining.ca today.
Get a calibrated scale from www.KnuckleBoomTraining.ca today.

Crane Training – Edmonton Alberta

We don’t use our office in Calgary much, all our training is done on site and this one in particular was based on showing the operators how to use the crane on a slope, we measured the slope and it was 11 degrees, far more than any knuckle boom is rated to work on…unless you lift properly.

Many operators we work with tell us that areas around Edmonton have few hills, but the ones they do encounter are not the 5-7 degrees that knuckle boom cranes are rated to.   But we teach operators the best methods to deal with slope work, and once they understand simple geometry, well the rest is quite easy.

How to properly work on a slope using a knuckle boom crane
How to properly work on a slope using a knuckle boom crane

What we tell everyone is be sure to use wheel chocks, ensure the park brake is fully functional, lift the load carefully off the ground, then lift to clear the deck, retract the boom instead of working on the side (far too many do), and then place the load on the deck, rack the crane and job well done.

There is more to the chapter, but too many operators lift the wrong way (truck on the side slope) and that is recipe for disaster.

The Crane Safety Group Now Provides Full Crane Rigging Supplies

Effective immediately, we are now offering a full line of rigging supplies for lifting, digging and hauling applications.  Call us at (877) 200-8715 or email us with what you are looking for and we will quote your needs.  Email us by clicking HERE.

All straps include the Working Load Limits (WLL) and breaking strength stamped every 5′ along the straps, so they meet the expectations of D.O.T.’s for 2014.

eye and eye sling
any length you need we can supply it. Comes in Hi-Viz Safety Color Now.

All of our slings come in High-Viz Red now, they not only show up better but set us apart from everything else out there.  By mentioning you found our page, we will give you 10% off your orders and free shipping (min order qty applies), but if you are local we will get your order to you ASAP, same day shipping on some items.

If you want your company logo or phone # on the rigging, let us know (small up-charge) but will provide some branding for your company as well.

 

For more information call us at 403-606-0603 or email us by clicking HERE