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What makes a good operator?

jozzie2000

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2012
Messages
46
Location
Nebraska
I never said or implied that a drunk operator was better because of it; I was making a point that many alcoholics I worked with had a good work ethic in spite of their addiction. And I have never been outperformed by someone that was drunk or high.
Your point about managers being less of an immediate threat is taken... however they can still make decisions that get someone injured or killed.

Exactly. It isn't a question if they are good or not when they are under the influence, its all about liability. It isnt the operator that gets sued when he kills someone on site, it is the company. There goes your reputation, and half of your equipment on a lawsuit.

I had a foreman tell me a story one time about how he was working down in Arkansas somewhere and they had a trackhoe operator down there that was apparently just a deadeye finish operator. They were talking one day and he smelled alcohol on his breath. When confronted about it, he admitted immediately that he had 4 or 5 before work. Foreman laughed and sent him home, told him he couldn't do that anymore and to come back tomorrow.

Operator came back tomorrow and just wasnt worth a ****. Whether he was hung over, or going through withdrawls, or what I guess I won't ever know for sure, but the implied ending to the story was that he was just a better operator when he was drunk! Eventually they just had to fire him because he wasn't worth a damn sober. Kind of got a kick out of the idea.

Unfortunately no matter how good you are, the potential of getting someone hurt on site by someone under the influence just isn't worth any skill level of an operator.
 

MR.ROGERS

Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2012
Messages
8
Location
SAN ANGELO TEXAS
The Drunk Operator I worked With Backed A D9 Dozer Over Our Pick up Didn't Know It Till Time to GO Home, wE had to wait until about 10;00pm. to get a ride back to office about 50 miles
 

diggerop

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
159
Location
QLD , Australia
Occupation
Plant operator, coal mining/ 25 years
Under the influence or not, employers are always looking for a reason or someone to blame for any incident. It's the policy where I work that anyone involved in an incident is drug and alcohol tested. Recently one of the trucks, cat 789, had a turbo fire, no real damage except for the turbo. The operator was drug and alcohol tested. For the life of me I can't see how the operator could be even thought of to be at fault. I certainly don't condone working under the influence and I'd say that for the odd good while drunk operator there would be lots and lots more sober operator. Going back to the original theme of this thread, What makes a good operator, anyone who operates while drunk no matter how good on the machine, is irresponsible to themselves and everyone else who works with them. And therefore is not a good operator.
 

terrasmooth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
83
Location
Northern Arizona USA
Exactly. It isn't a question if they are good or not when they are under the influence, its all about liability. It isnt the operator that gets sued when he kills someone on site, it is the company. There goes your reputation, and half of your equipment on a lawsuit.

I had a foreman tell me a story one time about how he was working down in Arkansas somewhere and they had a trackhoe operator down there that was apparently just a deadeye finish operator. They were talking one day and he smelled alcohol on his breath. When confronted about it, he admitted immediately that he had 4 or 5 before work. Foreman laughed and sent him home, told him he couldn't do that anymore and to come back tomorrow.

Operator came back tomorrow and just wasnt worth a ****. Whether he was hung over, or going through withdrawls, or what I guess I won't ever know for sure, but the implied ending to the story was that he was just a better operator when he was drunk! Eventually they just had to fire him because he wasn't worth a damn sober. Kind of got a kick out of the idea.

Unfortunately no matter how good you are, the potential of getting someone hurt on site by someone under the influence just isn't worth any skill level of an operator.
I think the perception that a functioning alcoholic is better when drunk is slighty exagerated.Many of these individuals can functon at a good level... however most people have already made major exceptions for these people to even be on the job. My father in law was one of the best welders in this state many years ago; he carried beer to work with him and drank all day long. His employers overlooked it in order to have him do what very few others could... he was a huge liability though, albeit in the days before all of the lawsuits. The point I make is that an empolyee needs to be a good employee first and then a good operator or whatever trade they are in. The inebriated employee who is said to be"good" is very naturally talented in many cases... I would like to see what these people would be like "Completely" free of the influence of addictive behavior... all hypothetical I guess.
 

Mjrdude1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2012
Messages
168
Location
Wichita, Ks
Drugs and alcohol have no place anywhere near a jobsite. Our work is dangerous enough without adding that to the mix.

As to good operators or good help in general, even mediocre ability is outshined by a good attitude and ability to learn and work with the crew. Almost every person has the ability to learn to do better, not nearly enough of them have the desire anymore, so when I find one with the desire, I try real hard to nurture that person and make the ability grow.

I run a heavy equipment repair facility for a dirt contractor, and good mechanics are really hard to find, even harder if you want one with good attitude. lol
 

jozzie2000

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2012
Messages
46
Location
Nebraska
Drugs and alcohol have no place anywhere near a jobsite. Our work is dangerous enough without adding that to the mix.

As to good operators or good help in general, even mediocre ability is outshined by a good attitude and ability to learn and work with the crew. Almost every person has the ability to learn to do better, not nearly enough of them have the desire anymore, so when I find one with the desire, I try real hard to nurture that person and make the ability grow.

I run a heavy equipment repair facility for a dirt contractor, and good mechanics are really hard to find, even harder if you want one with good attitude. lol

Yeah, you nailed it with the good help in general. Mechanics are especially tough now-a-days with all of the necessary computer diagnostics. Half mechanic half nerd not afraid to get dirty.
 

terrasmooth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
83
Location
Northern Arizona USA
Drugs and alcohol have no place anywhere near a jobsite. Our work is dangerous enough without adding that to the mix.

As to good operators or good help in general, even mediocre ability is outshined by a good attitude and ability to learn and work with the crew. Almost every person has the ability to learn to do better, not nearly enough of them have the desire anymore, so when I find one with the desire, I try real hard to nurture that person and make the ability grow.

I run a heavy equipment repair facility for a dirt contractor, and good mechanics are really hard to find, even harder if you want one with good attitude. lol

Amen! attitude is paramount in my world... I would much rather take someone with a good attitude and teach them rather than deal with a PRIMA DONNA any day.
 

rabia

Banned
Joined
Jun 7, 2012
Messages
120
Location
US
First of all thanks for sharing such a useful website. My opinion is that knowledge increases by sharing. We learn from other experience. To become a good operator first you must have a basic knowledge of each and every thing related to your task. Further training and workshops can also increase your skills.
 

terrasmooth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
83
Location
Northern Arizona USA
First of all thanks for sharing such a useful website. My opinion is that knowledge increases by sharing. We learn from other experience. To become a good operator first you must have a basic knowledge of each and every thing related to your task. Further training and workshops can also increase your skills.
Thank you Rabia:) it is so true.
I try to cover many different subjects of interest.
 
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
8
Location
Sydney, Australia
Occupation
Plant operator
How do you prove you have the desire in a one page resume though?......
Thats the roadblock i am facing at the moment
I have a few blokes i've worked under over the past 5 years who are willing to verify my passion for operating excavators and carrying out various tasks with them and skidsteers.
but the more i've looked into "making a resume" employers don't waste there time calling "referees":confused:
So am i better off getting 2 written references drawn up and stapling them to my resume????
I haven't had a fulltime gig (operating), but have carried out every excavation job possible with excavators (and skidsteers) for over the past 5 years, with my employer.
Also have spent a few years doing weekend work on excavators for another bloke, which has helped me come along way
I am starting to ramble (and wandering off topic) so i'll start my own topic sometime soon...

Cheers,
Matt
 

rabia

Banned
Joined
Jun 7, 2012
Messages
120
Location
US
Nice blog Terrasmooth..I am agree with your point. i have also known many operators who drunk but they can manage themselves at workplace. Some people are addict while some are not. Management can take decision about this issue.
 

terrasmooth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
83
Location
Northern Arizona USA
How do you prove you have the desire in a one page resume though?......
Thats the roadblock i am facing at the moment
I have a few blokes i've worked under over the past 5 years who are willing to verify my passion for operating excavators and carrying out various tasks with them and skidsteers.
but the more i've looked into "making a resume" employers don't waste there time calling "referees":confused:
So am i better off getting 2 written references drawn up and stapling them to my resume????
I haven't had a fulltime gig (operating), but have carried out every excavation job possible with excavators (and skidsteers) for over the past 5 years, with my employer.
Also have spent a few years doing weekend work on excavators for another bloke, which has helped me come along way
I am starting to ramble (and wandering off topic) so i'll start my own topic sometime soon...






Cheers,
Matt
Matt,
There are some people that look great on paper and are absolutely worthless once they get on the job, conversely there are people who don't look that good on a resume or job application who turn out to be some of the best employees. I have found this to be particularly true in construction; because of the transient nature of the business, people follow the work, not always with one company. I have wriiten an article on how to get and keep a job that has some ideas that have worked for me.


http://69.89.31.238/~terrasmo/2012/06/16
 
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
8
Location
Sydney, Australia
Occupation
Plant operator
Thanks terrasmooth, but i have already read your page during previous lurkings;)
I know i (should) do fine once i get behind the controls, its just putting enough on paper to get me that chance, that has held me back for so long. (not that i've applied for jobs just yet)
Also i'm abit worried about the fact when i jump on a new machine, i tend to go slow at first to get used to the different way it operates if you get me?
I hope it doesn't get percieved as being unconfident/ nervous....

Cheers,
Matt
 
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