Summer is just around the corner, and with it will come students looking for temporary work or internships. Many companies wisely take advantage of this seasonal opportunity.

There are many advantages to hiring students during the summer. They can:

• Fill in gaps in your operations.
• Get jobs done that no one else has time for.
• Help you handle an uptick in business if you have inherent seasonal fluctuations (e.g., landscaping, logging, golf courses). 
• Cover for others during their summer vacations.
• Be evaluated for suitability as future permanent employees.

But with the benefits, there’s also a considerable risk if you don't train the summer help on how to properly use the equipment they’ll be working with. Not only can they cost you money by misusing or underutilizing the equipment, they can create an unsafe environment.

Temporary summer employees may only be around for a few months, but it only takes one mistake to cause a serious accident.  Adequately training summer employees takes time and effort, but that pales compared to the costs of on-the-job accidents.

To best ensure safety, the training should include how to inspect equipment, because good inspection processes significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

The Checker is an ideal tool for this training. Our checklists are detailed enough to ensure that even people not familiar with the equipment will check all the vital parts. Essentially, people get trained as they use them.

Takeaway Point

After this unusually harsh winter, summer is thankfully within sight. If you’re going to take advantage of student labor this year, don’t overlook the importance of training—not only in the operation of the equipment, but also in how to inspect it properly.

Image courresy of Lizzie279, Creative Commons.