In addition to organizing and teaching the crew, you will have to organize your tools and materials. Each crew and job will require a different type of organization. To give you an idea of how to go about this, we will discuss three aspects: tool organization, material storage, and material protection.
Following is an example of how the crew’s tools might be organized using a job site tool truck.
Clear descriptions are important on pickup lists. If you don’t have a detailed pickup list, you can count on returning to the job to fix at least one task.
Put tools away, in their designated place, after using them.
• Hang safety harnesses and lines on hooks.
• Stand sledge hammers and metal bars in corner.
• Place saws on saw table.
• Place nail guns in safety box.
• Place electrical tools in wood box.
• Hang up screwdrivers.
• Place metal wrenches and sockets in metal box.
• Place nails out of weather.
• Place trash in designated container.
Roll up largest, bulkiest items first.
• Four-way electric extension cords
• Air hoses
• Electric cords
Take equipment to truck in following order:
• Miscellaneous hand electrical tools
• Air hoses and electric cords
• Circular saws and old saw blades
• Air compressors (Drain every Friday.)
• Ladders
The person responsible for the truck:
• As soon as roll-up begins, start picking up and taking tools to the truck.
• Take tools from framers and put them in their place in the tool truck.
• Clean/organize truck when not busy putting tools away.
— Put similar nails together.
— Hang up rain gear.
— Put tools in proper place.
— Check and account for number of tools.
— Put all loose garbage in bucket.
• Use up partial boxes of nails first.
• Follow established storage procedures. For example, starting at the right-hand side of back of truck
— 1st: 16d sinkers 4th: joist hanger nails
— 2nd: 8d sinkers 5th: concrete nails
— 3rd: roofing nails 6th: fascia nails
• On right-hand side under seat, 10d gun nails.
• On left-hand side under seat, 8d gun nails.
• Check oil in air compressors every morning.
• Oil nail guns every morning.
• Check oil in circular saws the first of every month.
• Check staging and ladders.
• Check safety devices in all tools.
This list should be discussed at the first crew meeting on the job, then the list should be posted on the tool truck.
1. If your lumber is being dropped by a truck, check to make sure the lumber is loaded so that the items being used first are on top.
You might need to contact (or have the superintendent contact) the lumber company to make sure they think about the loading order. Sometimes it helps to make up a quick list to help them out. For example:
• Treated mudsill plate
• Floor joists
• Floor sheathing
• Wall plates
• Studs
• Headers
• Wall sheathing
• Rafters
• Roof sheathing
The lumber company may not be able to load the material exactly the way you want, but a little concern for the loading order can make a big difference in the amount of lumber you have to move.
2. When using a forklift, store like items together so that you do not have to move other material to get at what you need.
3. When storing items, always think about where you are going to use them. If you don’t have a forklift, store them as close to where you are going to use them as possible.
4. If you have to store items in front of each other, make sure the items needed first are available first.
5. Consider using carts or other mobile devices for moving lumber in the building.
Pallet jack and drywall cart for moving lumber
Hold a crew meeting before you start a job, then once a week after that. Monday morning meetings can help ease everyone back from the weekend. You can have these meetings right before or after your safety meetings, while you already have everyone together. It’s nice if the crew meeting can be a relaxed time, while still covering important points such as:
• Task assignments
• Crew procedures (crew organization)
• Tool organization (tool truck)
• Job-specific items
Teaching While Assigning Tasks
Most of your teaching will occur when you are assigning tasks to framers. You won’t have to say anything to your experienced framers, but new or apprentice framers benefit from seeing you follow a certain procedure to make sure you don’t forget anything.
When assigning a task:
• Always assume your framers are seeing the task for the first time.
• Explain everything you know about the operation.
• As you’re explaining the operation, tell your framers why it’s done this way.
• Ask them if they understand. (Have them explain it to you.)
• If they ask you a question and you don’t have the answer, tell them you’ll find out and get back to them.
Check on them:
• After five to ten minutes.
• Repeatedly until you’re confident that they know what they’re doing.
When you’re teaching a framer trainee, remember that they’re learning as a student, so expect that it may take a little while for them to catch on. Don’t expect all trainees to learn instantly, but always assume they want to learn.
The best way to communicate how to do a job is to actually do the job, and let the trainee watch. At the same time, explain as much of what you’re doing as possible.
