If your company relies on heavy machinery and industrial equipment, you know that purchasing and properly utilizing used tools can be complicated. These tips from WORKERS.COM will help you with everything from buying the right piece of used equipment to teaching your employees to use it safely.
Purchasing Equipment
When it comes to buying used equipment, you’ll want to make sure that the tools you purchase are still in good working condition — judging price alone could jeopardize the safety of your team. In some cases, you might consider renting used equipment, but if you anticipate using it for future projects, it’s best to buy. To make a smart purchase, Aucto recommends thoroughly researching the seller and having an operator examine the equipment.
Equipment Training
Providing your employees with the products they need to stay safe and teaching your employees to use new equipment safely is always key, but this is especially true for used equipment. Construction World recommends teaching your employees how the machine works, what they should do in an emergency situation, and any safety precautions that they need to follow while operating the equipment. Even if your experienced employees feel like this information is redundant, you still need to go over it to be on the safe side.
Managing Employees
It may take your team some time to learn how to use this equipment efficiently. To make sure they’re staying on task, rely on time tracking software. When setting up payroll for construction, use a system like Quickbooks that allows employees to accurately track their time and compensation, as well as lets you compute, process, and send payroll through a mobile app. This boosts worker accountability and helps you determine accurate estimates for project and training costs. Bear in mind the importance of effective communication with your staff right now too. Learning new equipment can be frustrating, so make it clear with your employees that you welcome their insight and are eager for them to communicate their feedback.
Safety Tips
How can you ensure that your used equipment is operated safely? You can regularly inspect your machines to make sure that they are not in need of repairs, and if you notice any issues, it’s a good idea to contact a trusted service provider from the company for assistance. Do not attempt to operate used equipment if you suspect any problems, even if it means slowing down production momentarily. Let your employees know that they should communicate any issues to you immediately. You can even set up an inspection checklist for the beginning and end of each shift so that if someone does notice a problem, you can trust that it will be reported very quickly.
Maintenance and Protection
In order to ensure that you can continue operating your used equipment for a long period of time, you need to maintain and protect it. It’s important not to attempt to exceed the limits of your equipment — it can only handle so much, and trying to do more can be dangerous or wear down its parts. Furthermore, you need to ensure that the equipment is stored away properly at the end of each day. Exposure to the elements can cause rusting and other problems. Remember, maintaining used equipment is especially crucial if you think that you might sell the machine one day.
Purchasing, using, and maintaining industrial equipment requires careful attention. Whether you’re about to invest in a particular tool, start a training program, or implement a safety protocol for your team, it’s important to remember that operating heavy machinery requires a high level of responsibility. With these tips, you’ll be able to navigate your next equipment purchase easily.
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