InTents June/July 2021 - 42

business | safety
Add the " why " to the
" how " in your training
Important things every installer should know.
by Mike Holland
M
Knowing the why
Taking the time to explain " why " in
conjunction with " how " during training
will ensure that team members are
better equipped to:
* Make decisions in the absence
of direction.
* Provide alternatives.
* Make necessary adjustments
if original instructions prove to
be insuffi cient/incorrect.
ost tent installers receive on-the-job
training. Oftentimes it is on a needto-know
basis that is determined by the
supervisor or the peers who are on-site.
When training a new team member,
trainers should not only explain how
something is done, but they should
also explain why something is done
a particular way. Taking the time to
explain why will help develop better
team members and will increase their
overall development.
Let's examine a few tent installation
" hows " and " whys " that a supervisor
or trainer might encounter while on a
job site. While there are different ways
of doing things across the Tent Rental
Division, the following are intended to get
you thinking about your training process.
Tensioning structure cables
When tensioning structure cables, there
are multiple aspects to consider. For
example, the placement of turnbuckles
is important because some companies
place them at the top of the beam. In this
position, a ladder is required and the
roof cables can be tightened at the same
time. Others place the turnbuckle at the
bottom of the leg so they do not need to
use a ladder.
Cables or struts are the strength of the
structure. If these are not tight enough, or
if they are removed too early, the structure
can collapse. Be sure to explain that
these components are a key part to the
stability of the structure. The design of
40 intents june-july 2021
most rental structures use drop-in purlins
with no need to bolt them to the rafters.
The cables or struts are the bolts that hold
the rafters, legs and purlins in place. Once
removed there is nothing that stabilizes
the structure.
Squaring or leveling the irst bay can
make installation smoother and allow
fabric to pull through easier. When a
structure is improperly squared it will
add time and dificulty while pulling your
fabric. This can cause safety issues and
frustrate crew members.
Raising and lowering structure arches
Regardless of the size of the structure,
raising and lowering arches is a task
that takes time and is one that should be
done with great care and safety. Where to
stand-and where not to stand-should
be explained thoroughly. Other areas to
detail include: not putting the frame in
a bind; checking all harness, straps and
purlin forks; and making sure all pins are
secure and nuts and bolts are tight.
Proper staking
The IFAI Staking Study is an excellent
training tool and provides tent renters
with data that can be used to estimate the
holding power of traditional tent stakes.
When training, explain the importance of
driving each stake to its full depth and why
angled stakes should be avoided. Proper
distances for double or gang staking and
care in removing stakes from asphalt
should also be addressed.
InTents June/July 2021

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