[PSUscaper]

The only real solution to this problem is either higher another head foremen with years and years of experience, or be on the job all the time.

Lunch doesn't exist for this sole reason anymore. I find myself setting up the next step of the project at lunch time because I know it will be above my labor's heads and they will be just standing around watching me after lunch if I don't do it then.

I was thinking about this subject a lot today. We are working on a retaining wall, and a few days ago we did the base prep.

Setting up straight level runs is no problem for my guys. Its easy, you can run a string line to follow and all the blocks are laid level. The leveling part takes time, but the guys catch on.

The problem is when you come across any kind of change......and I mean any.

For instance, the wall ran straight for about 30 ft, and then curved for the remaining 30 ft.............during the turn, the wall also had a grade change and needed to be step up.

This is where they lost it.......It's almost like they learn to do one thing and then try to keep doing it even though it has to be changed.

They just can't think things out..... they don't understand that you can't run a line around a curve to follow......you have to just 'feel' it out. Basically, that means I have to adjust everyblock so that when it goes around the turn, it has a nice even flow.....something that goes waaaaaaaaaaay above their heads. They lay about three blocks and realize their angle is wrong, and then go ahead and start digging because they think the trench is wrong! If they don't dig, they abruptly shoot one of the blocks so it goes back on course, but causes a 'zig' in the curve. And then there's the issue with the designed set block on the block and the step up and the curve...............If someone can write instructions on how the setback effects your curves while stepping up the base and have it so the everday joe can understand it.......they will have a buyer right here.

There is just a wealth of knowledge that, perhaps, as a experienced installer, you overlook. The problem is conveying all that knowledge to your installers.

My main concern is first deciding on whether or not the employee actually has the mental ability to learn. The main thing is that there IS NO TEXT BOOK method for doing what we do.....things change, and changes have to be made.

The ability to think things through has to be possesed by the person you are hoping to train. I am to the point now where I believe the crew I currently have does not posses these 'mental tools' to truly take it to the next level. I know that I am going to have to higher a more 'mentally' skilled person to teach.

You can't draw blood from a stone. I hate to say it, but truly, there are a LOT of stones out there at this point.

steve

[jwholden]

Another thing I notice with my newer guy is that he is shy to ask the boss how to do something, prefering to ask the other member of the crew that speaks spanish better. I like to see my longer term employee teaching the new guy the way it's done. Though I alos see him explaining concepts that I know he doesn't yet grasp. I suspect I may tell the new guy not to be afraid to ask me questions, thereby avoiding the dilution down the chain.

I'm sure we've all dealt with these type situations and it's nice to have a place like this where we can share them!

[Paul]

I understand on how you feel about laying out the project. But here are a couple of tricks that worked for me.

Curves: Use radius points and distances, when you lay out your wall drive hubs in at the radius-es that you want the wall to follow, mark on the hub what the radius is (ie:16'R)

Grade changes: Again use a stake with the base level marked on it at that starting point. This can work for both raising and lowering the wall. I would mark it with the grade change + or - one block. On multiple grade changes just use more stakes set were the grade changes are to be made.

Now I know you'll all tell me that it might not work out every time but you'd be surprised on how quickly they can pick up on it.

Yes even I make mistakes........ the other day I lay ed out a playground wall and miss read the radius-es and used the ones for the concrete not the wall and had to re-excavate a wall, costing us about 2 hrs. My excuse was I was pulling measurements from 500' away. LOL

[Pelican]

Can someone explain the sailor course to me? Thanks!

[Paul]

Sailors always are laying down on the job, while soldiers are at attention.

Ok maybe that was a bit of a stretch. A sailor course is the edge pattern were the long side of ther pavers run parallel to the edge. A soldier course the short side runs parallel to the edge.

Soldier course looks like this llllllllllllllllllll
Sailor course looks like this _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

[Pelican]

Got it. Thanks!

[Carlita]

I see alot of you that are posting on this subject are either running the job yourselves and have no one you can trust to run the jobs for you?

Education is the key! You need to pass on your ideas and experience so you as owners can spend more time working on the company than in the company.

I do not know how your workforce is broke down, but Hispanics make up 85% of our workforce and we were at the same point where some of you may be now. We just took the time to train key individuals and let them know that mistakes are o.k. as long as you learn from them. Our team leaders are also always teaching their assistant team leaders to do all tasks so they may lead the team when the team leader is out or for future crews.

We also provide English classes to help the communication between us.

[site]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem. Well trained employees seem to vanish quickly too. I agree with Jwolden- baby steps. Every day I try to find the proper sized task for each employee that he-she can take credit for. If they succeed they get a bigger challenge the next time. If they fail repeatedly they lose their jobs. Some run entire jobs, others run wheelbarrows.

[jwholden]

Carlita,

I'm putting good money on you being bilingual!

One concept that I read about in one of the trade magazines is that some people just don't want to do everything and are happy doing the same thing every day. Each person has a special button that they would like to have pushed. The fellah that's been with me for five years doesn't seek to be the foreman, or mayordomo, of other men. He seeks to earn a good living working for a boss who doesn't yell at him all day. (He'd probably prefer to work for a guy who doesn't throw tools around either! Couldn't resist that one.)

His brother, who also worked for me a while, was a leader and wanted to learn everything because he knew it made him more valuable and opened more doors when he left.

The 'New' guy is just out of high school and I enjoy watching him soak everything up and never questioning any of my methods. I also see him watch the machinery with a big smile and see the opportunity to train him, little by little.

[dan deutekom]

Originally posted by jwholden

The 'New' guy is just out of high school and I enjoy watching him soak everything up and never questioning any of my methods. I also see him watch the machinery with a big smile and see the opportunity to train him, little by little. [/b]

I to love watching a 'NEW' guy soaking up everything but I like it even better when he questions all of my methods. Then I know I have a guy that thinks even if it does kind of frustrate me at times Sometimes that questioning gives you a new and better method