In our last issue of Yard & Garden, there was an article on the state of the technician pool. In the article, it was explained that the industry isn’t experiencing a shortage of people who want work as small engine technicians, but rather a shortage of people who are qualified to do the work.
Perhaps rather fittingly, one of the photos accompanying the story showed a technician working below a mower that was hoisted up on a forklift. I have certainly caught some well-deserved flack for this one. Concerned dealers have been writing in warning us that the image may encourage unsafe practices.
The reader emails now have me thinking further about the industry and the responsibilities of the individuals within it. Does the responsibility of performing tasks and repairs in a safe manner fall on the manufacturer, dealer, or technician?
One might argue that to manufacturers, a dealership's success is only measured by their sales numbers. How concerned are they with what happens in the shop other than that their products are quickly repaired and kept in the hands of happy customers?
Most manufacturers offer dealerships and their technicians the opportunity to obtain product-specific training. Should they go even further and offer more on the basics of safety in the shop? If they did, it is still up to the dealer to take advantage of these opportunities and enforce the lessons learned. Technicians are hungry for training, but rely on their dealers to create those educational opportunities.
The responsibility of running a safe shop is left to fall on the dealers—the most invested in the business’ success and with the most to lose. If a technician is seriously injured, it could quickly destroy everything the business has built up to. With the most control over who works in the shop and how they are trained, dealers need to take ownership—and enforce safety policies firmly and consistently.
Our 2011 Dealers in Excellence Award winner swears by the long-standing reputation of his shop for providing superior service. A second-generation dealership, Humphreys' Outdoor Power has always prided themselves in ongoing education and constant self-assessment. Click here to read how they have fine-tuned a safe and profitable shop.
The service department is what has helped most dealers stay afloat through dips in equipment sales. We strive to provide information to help you operate the shop in a way that promises profits and satisfied customers. If you think you have a shop that illustrates safety and professionalism, please send in photos and information on how you instill safe practices. Let’s work together to offer positive examples.
Safe servicing!
