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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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"On many crews the foreman is often the screed man and he can teach the employee on the job, showing him how to work the screed, how to keep an eye on the mat going down, how to watch and set material feed and the grade and slope controls.
"Once he sees the worker has learned and is confident with the controls he can ease him into the job and let him operate the screed himself, to match a joint for example," Fleming says.
He says that to be promoted on a crew employees need to demonstrate:
- They are team players who can work without supervision. "They shouldn't have to be told what to do or when to do it; they should just pick up a lute or shovel or operate support equipment and do whatever job is needed as it is needed."
- They should demonstrate an eye for "level"
- They should be skilled with hand tools
- They should demonstrate that they have the right attitude and a willingness to progress. "They should want to go from working on hand tools to a skid steer and then become a screed man, or paver or compactor operator," Fleming says.
For young people already interested in working in asphalt, Fleming says contractors should gauge what sector of the trade their younger workers are interested in pursuing. "Give them every chance to experience all aspects of paving and compaction and let them take the lead in deciding what they would like to concentrate on," says Fleming.
The Ingersoll Rand Road Institute, Chambersburg, PA, has provided professional training on the operation and maintenance of asphalt pavers and compactors for more than 40 years. Ingersoll Rand also operates Road Institute West in Phoenix, AZ.
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