On-site training offered.

For all businesses, it is important that operators of any equipment are thoroughly trained in every aspect of operation.

With insurance premiums soaring, companies are very conscious of liability issues--they want the best equipment, and they want operators with the knowledge to operate that equipment safely and efficiently.

Industries such as mining, pulp and paper, and construction, where there are intrinsic hazards due to location and activity, must have top-notch operators.

In keeping with its philosophy of bringing a complete package to the customer, Equipment World offers operator training on every piece of equipment it sells: forklifts, aerial lift equipment, heavy equipment, in short everything from pallet trucks to rough terrain forklifts.

This instruction is both classroom and hands-on, and is geared to groups of all sizes.

In compliance with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Ministry of Labour, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Equipment World has developed its own safety training programs in conjunction with their manufacturers, and provides certified training for its customers as a part of its after-sale commitment.

Equipment Operator Training

Blair Wihlidal is the company's rental manager and the head of equipment operator training.

"We can provide training on site, using the actual equipment so that its applications on the job can be analyzed, and specific situations or problems on the job site can be addressed," says Wihlidal. "We're there from the initial site visit, throughout any project where our equipment is being used, until the job is done. We train the operator, or many times we train the trainer--in other words, we provide the necessary training for people who will be teaching their fellow employees how to operate the equipment."

For example, the forklift safety course has been designed to familiarize operators on all aspects of safe lift-truck operation. The course is approximately five hours long, and includes many audio/visual aids. Geared to both new and experienced operators, the training can take place either at Equipment World or the customer's site. During the course, the instructors will conduct an onsite survey of the customer's facility, and offer recommendations on improving efficiency and safety.

Topics covered in this session include: material handling; the operator--attitude, rules and guidelines; safe/unsafe practices; stability factors; how to approach ramps; load capacities; pre-operational inspection and maintenance; adverse operating conditions; proper shutdown procedures; and a driving test for the operator, as well as many other subjects.

A mandatory, two-hour course in propane cylinder handling is designed for anyone whose responsibility includes handling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders on commercial or industrial equipment. Equipment World's trainers are accredited under the Ontario Propane Association.

Aerial Safety Division

Sean Vernon-Scott heads up the aerial safety division of Equipment World. Vernon-Scott has worked to provide solutions for a range of clients and projects, including Hibernia, the CN Tower, Molson, Trans Ocean, Bell Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, Ontario Clean Water Association, and many others. Vernon-Scott's primary focus with Equipment World is on high-elevation safety requirements, including fall protection, engineered lifelines, retractable lifelines and other related products.

"We can work as high as you want to go, or down into the depths of mines or sewers," he says.

As well as fall protection training and consulting, this division offers the expertise to provide working-at-heights applications, and complements the complete stock of general fall protection products available at all Equipment World locations. Equipment World's lead instructor, Vernon-Scott, has certified training in many programs, including train the trainer (DBI/Sala), fall protection fundamentals (Miller), fall protection detailed skills (DBI/Sala), mobile crane operator construction (Ministry of Education and Training), and rescue techniques (Electrical Union), to name a few. As well, he has more than 12 years of rigging and working-at-height experience.

"We are available for consulting on rescue procedures, emergency response, high-angle rescue, and other related areas," says Vernon-Scott.

"As with our other product specialties, we will provide the most innovative and professional approach in servicing this industry sector," Vernon-Scott points out. "We plan to be leaders in aerial safety in Northern Ontario. I believe this fits in well with our aerial platform business in the sales, rental, and service of scissor lifts, booms, and related work platforms--it's a natural evolution."

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Full details of the safety training and the aerial safety division can be found on the company's Web site at www.equipworld.com.