© Andrew Greess
Here are some tips to create an effective equipment training program to extend equipment life and reduce downtime.
1. Train on day one and don’t assume they know.
Don’t assume that because your new tech worked at another pest control company that he or she knows what you expect. Train them on your procedures.
2. Once is not enough. Retrain periodically.
Just because you trained “Tony tech” on day one, doesn’t mean he is still doing what you want him to do. People forget. They get rushed. They find shortcuts. Shortcuts often shorten equipment life and cost you money.
3. Train on “why” as well as “how.”
We are surprised at the number of pest control technicians who don’t know how their equipment works.
If a tech has no idea how a piece of equipment works, he will have no idea how to troubleshoot the problem or explain it to his boss or repair technician. A good description of the problem will result in faster resolution.
4. Train techs to identify and report problems.
Technicians live with problems.
Many of the equipment problems we see in our repair shop are worse than they need to be. Techs sometimes ignore problems in the hope that they will go away.
When a tech reports a problem, don’t rip his head off. It will discourage problem reporting in the future.
5. Safety training.
Based on the pest control vehicles we service daily, safety is not always top of mind. A little attention in this area can prevent injuries, accidents, equipment damage and chemical spills.
Is it secure? Is it safe? Is it in good condition? Could a leak occur in a weak spot?
6. Emergency field repairs save time and money.
Don’t let a small problem cause major disruptions in the route.
Keep easy-to-replace parts in each truck so that minor repairs can be completed in the field. A field repair saves a trip to the repair shop.
7. Surprise, its winter and equipment freezes.
We are shocked by the number of companies reporting freeze damage. Winter is not a surprise; we know it is coming. To prevent equipment damage and downtime, train your technicians on how to anticipate and prevent freeze damage and what to do when it occurs.
For a more information on this topic, see the full article at: https://www.pctonline.com/article/10-training-tips/
Andrew Greess is a pest control equipment expert and author, and president of Qspray.com, the pest control equipment website. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Facebook.
