Groundmans Duties

[Ny finest]

So I was at the bar with my ground guy of 2yrs and he told me that I'm too hard on them.
All I ask is a couple of things :
1Safety is no 1
2Always maintain professional behavior
3One person stay with climber at all times
4Reduce unnecessary noise
5Always look up in work zone
6Absolutely no horseplay while working
7No radios
8No cells
9Never leave chipper running unattended
10No debris left behind(including cig butts)
I thought that my job rules were fair and helped keep the ship organized but after two years my head guy still does'nt think so.What do you guys think?how do you run your crews?

 

[okietreedude1]

I dont think your rules are to harsh...afterall, your the bossman. They dont like it, they can find another boss. They then too may find out you were easier.

They too will more than likely notice yoour jobsite was a cleaner, easier one to work in because of the rules.

Stick to your guns.

By the way, did he have any suggestions for change? and why?

 

[MasterBlaster]

My Rules.

:angel:

 

[Ny finest]

He says I leave no room for individuality and ruining morale and productivity

 

[clearance]

Nyfinest your rules are fine, I could ad more. Praise the guy when he does good, never give him ???? in front of others. Help the guy chip brush, move blocks, whatever always try to outwork him- thats the best motivator to decent groundsman. Hey really liked what you had to say about one handing saws kind of like saying hey guys back in the real world......

 

[glens]

Wait until he sees the new uniforms they'll have to wear!

 

[JonnyHart]

It's not what you say, it's how you say it. Do you scream yer head off, or do explain things? But, after 2 years, this guy should know what is expected of him. MB's rules say it all. I'm gonna print that. Especially the part about the drag zone. I've seen more damage done by the groundies than any climber. Don't just make the brush chipper friendly, make it house, garage, and gate friendly. That aluminum siding dents and scratches easily.

 

[Ny finest]

MB, you hit the nail right on the head.I try to enforce all those rules on my jobsites but its nice to see someone has already made the bible.I never yell at my guys and I run circles around all three of them but some days they just can't be motivated.It must be my age and they just don't see me as a boss.But they look for a paycheck every friday.As far as roping goes I have one guy who just cant get it right.No matter what I say something different always happens.I don't know if its a perception problem or what.Have any one else had problems?

 

[PTS]

If they think your rules are strict I don't think your guys would like working with us. I wrote a book on policies. Your rules some all mine up but I am nit-picky. I expect nothing but perfection, and the crew knows it. But that is what sets us apart and they know that too. I require uniforms, appearance, strict on language used, actions....

Summary.... Your doing things right. The thing is that your employees reflect on you and your business. And this may sound bad but they are replacable... obey the rules or find the door.

 

[glens]

MB's rules say it all. I'm gonna print that.

The print-quality version of that, in booklet form, is linked in http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?p=247092#post247092

 

[Ekka]

Those rules are excellent MB, I've copied them.

And Ny Finest, get a thicker skin ... sometimes workers forget that it's the job that is hard on them. Your rules are fine.

Remain human, give out bonuses every now and then, it is a tough job so sometimes the guys get worn down, try to break up the working week by not having back to back gut buster days. Shout lunch every now and then.

As an ad on tv for the army had here "it's not an easy road to go but you're in good company" cheer up mate.

 

[Big A]

As a groundie for the last 9 years or so I totally agree with the rules pointed out here, what baffles me is why climbers on site, when assisting on the ground dont seem capable of the same. They rarely look up in the drop-zone and generally seem to have their heads up their a$$! It seems like they're too good for ground work and will avoid it if they can by doing something stupid so they get told to get lost. As for not carrying a cell, I dont agree as one person should be in contact with the rest of the world however only in the sense of emergencies, not for arranging tonights beer-fest or love-life. I've always tried to work by the rules, even tho' I've only recently seen them written. :angel:

 

[glens]

Butch, if you're listening, here's an HTML page (with a .txt extension added so I could attach it) which exactly matches the form/format of the "official" print version.  It will (should) even print up with much the same layout if a viewer opts to print it from their (modern) browser.  Take it, remove the .txt extension, and replace the page on your site with it.

Glen

 

[newb]

Those are pretty much my rules also. Your groundie must not be to unhappy with you if hes still around after 2 years. Ive had guys leave after 2 trees. Another rule I have on my list, No breaks until Im on the ground. Except water.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

The print-quality version of that, in booklet form, is linked in http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?p=247092#post247092

Where are the pictures?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

It must be my age and they just don't see me as a boss.But they look for a paycheck every friday.

Maybe some of this comes through in your attitude?

Some people can not work for a buddy, so maybe the bar visits have to be reduced. You know the old addage abou Familiarity breeding contempt.

I deal with ad hoc crews, and other peoples crews on a regular basis. I come in looking neat and let people know that I will not take attitudes. I find out who is the lead, and set the standards from there. It does not allways work, i don't sign the paychecks, but i make them understand that I can make their workday easier for them.

Sometimes when you're the boss, you just have to lay it down. They know where the door is, it's your show, not theirs.

As for the guy who just cannot get it right, maybe it's time to start advertising his job?

 

[glens]

The print-quality version of that, in booklet form, is linked in http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?p=247092#post247092

Where are the pictures?

Pictures of what?  It's a ZIP file containing four PDF documents.  If your printer will print both sides there's a version for it; if not, there are "odds" and "evens" versions so you can print one side, place the pages back into your printer, and print the other side.  Both of those schemes produce a booklet after you fold it in half (and staple at the crease if possible).  There's also the "one 'page' per printed page" full-sized version.

The handbook.html.txt version I attached above will display quite nicely in a browser after the .txt extension is removed.

Glen

 

[MasterBlaster]

Heres yur pics!!!

:angel:

 

[DDM]

So I was at the bar with my ground guy of 2yrs and he told me that I'm too hard on them.
All I ask is a couple of things :
1Safety is no 1
2Always maintain professional behavior
3One person stay with climber at all times
4Reduce unnecessary noise
5Always look up in work zone
6Absolutely no horseplay while working
7No radios
8No cells
9Never leave chipper running unattended
10No debris left behind(including cig butts)
I thought that my job rules were fair and helped keep the ship organized but after two years my head guy still does'nt think so.What do you guys think?how do you run your crews?

Your Terrible!!!!!! You Shouldn't Require them to Show Up just mail them a check once a week! You Mean you expect them to work?

 

[Old Monkey]

I've worked in two states and have found that it is pretty slim pickings as far as good ground guys goes. We have a hard time getting guys to show up on time. Insurance companies are getting pickier about who they'll insure and it seems like just about everyone who applies to us has a DUI on his record. Our ground guys get away with murder because they know we need them more than they need us. I am a mellow boss, I only get worked up if someone does something dangerous. I hardly ever yell and I never say something behind someone's back that I don't say to there face. All that said, sometimes I think I might get better results if I played the angry boss.

Here's one of those times when emotion got the better of me. Gosh darned it I'm not a Vulcan.