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How to train your paving crew
Training key to preparing operators of asphalt pavers and compactors.
Compactors offer another set of techniques operators need to learn. Ingersoll Rand's Peter Fleming says to start training by introducing the concepts behind the machines, then move to put those concepts into practice. Workers should understand the purpose of compaction and the importance of achieving density at the right material temperature. He says it's important to teach students the difference between frequency and amplitude of the vibration and how the incorrect rolling speed can ruin the mat laid be the paver. "After they have that down, show them how to steer in a straight line and how to stop the roller at an angle and in such a position as to be ready to reverse without turning the drums when stationary on the asphalt, and then move on to practice the variety of rolling patterns that may be applied." Fleming says, "The best way to teach all that is to let the workers get in the seat and operate the rollers."
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"The idea of 'Luting' a joint is to try to seal the joint with the finer mix and remove the larger stones from the joint," Fleming says. "Removing these larger stones from the mat completely is especially important on a wearing course as broadcasting loose stones over the surface of a wearing course may give a segregated appearance to the mat once it is compacted. The mat should be left at a slight angle ready for compaction."
Hand tampers can be another valuable tool, but Fleming says contractors should encourage their crews to use plate compactors as much as possible before resorting to the hand tamper and then only using it to compact areas where the plate compactor can't reach.
"But when they do have to use it remind the crew to wear gloves and let the weight of the tamper do the work in providing the compaction" Fleming says. Workers should lift it and forcefully drop it straight down onto the mat (dropping it down on its edge might leave an indentation in the mat that may be hard to remove).
"But the lifting should be done with the back straight," Fleming says. "Working the hand tamper hard can result in blisters and sore arms even during the relatively short time it is used. It's also important to remind crews to keep their feet out of the way when tamping."
Teach the whole job
Fleming says it's important contractors mentor young or inexperienced workers, adding that contractors need to take the lead in drawing young people to the business.
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