John Paglia, III
听
What are some strategies to train new employees and continue to train the established ones?
听
The evolution of the garbage industry continues to get attention with regards to the use of increased technology in all of the trucks. Technology is being applied to every sector of the industry. Whether is technology is to make engines run more efficient, cameras, backup alarms, sensors and LED HID bulbs are all are designed to help employees work safer and create a less stressful environment for the working employee. Training new employees is now a multi-step process. You must be able to train employees on safe operation of a truck, how to understand and work with technology, and how important safe driving habits are.
Safe Operation
Getting a route completed day in and day out, without incident, should be every driver鈥檚 goal. Training should not have an emphasis on time, rather based on efficiency. If a driver is trained to work safe and efficiently, time will take care of itself. In my years as a driver, while I was being trained on a FEL, I was told a simple quote that is still preached this very day, 鈥淲hen you take a shortcut, that鈥檚 when accidents or incidents occur.鈥� With my experience, this statement is always true鈥攕hortcuts invite accidents. Train your employees to be almost robotic. Although promoting routines are effective ways to ensure uniformity across divisions, continue to monitor them because routines can become cumbersome and lead to employees 鈥済oing through the motions鈥� which is just as bad.
Working with Technology
As previously mentioned, trucks are now equipped with more technology features then they have ever had. Understanding how to use this technology as an additional tool rather than a necessity makes the safest driver. I would much rather have an employee that can operate the truck safely, assuming all safety features are not working (let鈥檚 face it electronics fail on a regular basis in our industry with all of the water and garbage juices our trucks come in contact with). A driver that can back up without a camera or sensor, a driver who can operate if a prox sensor fails, those are the safest and more skilled drivers. Our management team trains drivers to back up using mirrors and many other safe driving habits. If technology does fail, do not let that be your excuse as to why a backing incident or accident occurs. Train your drivers from day one to use those as 鈥渁dditional vision鈥� but never discredit a mirror and good judgement鈥斺�渨hen in doubt, get out鈥�.
Safe Habits
Training is an ongoing process. I do not want it to sound clich茅 but everyone should learn at least one new thing a day that can make them a safer employee. With the added distracted drivers around us, it makes the garbage man鈥檚 driving job much more complicated. It also comes down to common sense. Does it make sense to back out onto a main highway? Should I drive 45 mph because the speed limit says so, when there are low wires, trees and kids playing in the yard? Asking yourself questions like these and answering them with safety in mind is paramount to success. You can see where it pays not to rush and to always take your time. It is also important to remember just as we learn from the good, we can also learn from people鈥檚 mistakes. I encourage safety to be an everyday part of everyone鈥檚 routine. At a minimum hold a companywide safety meeting on at least a monthly basis. For an added touch, have anyone involved in dispatch or communicating with the drivers end each and every conversation with something as simple as 鈥渨ork safe鈥�. These two words from someone in the office will continue to show how important you take safety.
John Paglia, III is a 4th generation garbage man. Before he climbed the ranks to become Florida Express Environmental鈥檚 General Manager, he had a successful career in college and professional athletics. John has been around the garbage industry since his car seat days. Currently, John is focused on growing his company and offering the highest level of customer service and prolonging the world we live in today. John wakes up every day knowing the impact professional haulers have on their community is far greater than most realize. He can be reached at (352) 629-4349, e-mail [email protected] or visit .
听
We want to hear what issues you may be facing. If you have a question for our 鈥淔rom the Experts鈥� column, contact Angelina Ruiz at [email protected] for an answer in a future issue.
听