Tony Coleman, Technical Services Manager at Makita, explains why training is so important and what to look for when selecting a training provider.
Whilst working with power tools and machinery is second nature to the readers of Professional Builder, taking time to keep abreast of new tools, changing product technologies and features can really pay off. For many, it may initially seem that training is unnecessary, especially for experienced tradespeople, but there are many potential benefits, both for those who are self-employed and for businesses with employees. Whether you’re new to the industry, or have been working for decades, the value of regular training and personal development should not be overlooked.
Health & safety
One of the most important reasons for undertaking tool training is to instil safe working practices and reduce the risk of injuries and accidents. Alarming data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently revealed that there has been a 70% rise in the number of construction deaths since the pandemic, with the number of fatal injuries in construction being five times higher than the average across all industries.
Quite simply, a power tool improperly handled, can be dangerous and using it unsafely can have a detrimental impact on you or your business: Whether that be personal injury, injury to those working for you, to the public, or damage to equipment or property. Any such instance can be costly: You may need time off to recover, or cover insurance and compensation claims, or replace damaged tools. You may even suffer an injury that ends your career.
Operator training is a legal requirement and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 stipulates that those who own or operate work equipment should receive adequate instruction and training to ensure their safety. It also places responsibility on employers to ensure their employees who use work equipment are trained, whether the equipment is owned by the business or not.
Correct training will ensure that all people using, supervising or managing the use of the work equipment are provided with adequate, clear health and safety information.
Business benefits
If the safety aspect isn’t compelling enough, training can also offer further benefits for you and your business. For example, ongoing education can help professionals stay up to date with the latest tool technologies and techniques, as well as gain new skills and knowledge which can offer a competitive edge in the industry.
Training can also offer an opportunity to learn about a completely new tool that may provide you with improved features and benefits as well as performance with the task on site. Practical ‘hands on’ demonstrations where you can trial the tool provides a valuable opportunity to ‘try before you buy’, or even just ‘kick the tyres’ and really determine what tools will benefit your business – and how.
Personal growth
It’s commonly recognised that those who have access to continuous training and grow their confidence are more likely to feel more engaged and motivated. For a business owner, well-trained employees will not only deliver higher-quality work which reduces the need to spend time supervising, or reworking mistakes, they will also feel valued and therefore more loyal which can reduce staff turnover.
Training empowers individuals to expand their expertise and take on new responsibilities. Moreover, with a growth mindset, you may find new business opportunities or areas of expertise to pursue.
Choosing the right training
Some of the leading tool manufacturers, like Makita, have dedicated training teams that can offer an itinerary of training sessions to choose from. Conveniently, a number of Makita’s training and awareness sessions can be held directly on-site so that all employees can benefit from the training without the need to leave their place of work, or at one of Makita’s four Factory Service Centres (FSCs) located nationwide.
When choosing a safety course specifically, consider one that has been certified by an independent third party such as City & Guilds. For example, Makita offers City & Guilds assured correct and safe use courses at instructor and user levels. Its Makita ‘Be Safe – Construction’ course can be tailored to any trade discipline and is extensively used by educational colleges. The courses, which use a mix of theory and practical hands-on sessions, provide valuable training on best practices, how to select and safely handle and store power tools, health and safety considerations and PPE policies.
Training has an important role to play in ensuring safe and effective working practices, as well as compliance with health and safety regulations. Training on the use of power tools, even for those with years of experience, is valuable and worth the relatively small financial and time investment.
To find out more about Makita’s training, including its ‘Correct and safe use for handheld power tools’ and ‘Be Safe’ courses click here
