Tractor Mower Operator Safety Training
Program (TMOST)
A dynamic new cutting edge equipment operator safety training
program called TMOST is being taught across the USA and in
Canada. Conducting this popular safety program is Alamo Group,
with corporate headquarters located in Seguin, Texas. Alamo Group
is a world leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and service
of high quality equipment for right-of-way maintenance and
agriculture with facilities in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe.
Jim Green, Alamo Group safety
training manager, leads Personal
Protection Equipment exercise.
Student drives one of the TMOST driver
training courses.
Jim Green, the Alamo Group Corporate safety training manager,
conducts this training in a format that engages as well as entertains
the students during the program. With board breaking karate
demonstrations, classroom practical exercises and students joining
in safety singing…. students expecting the typically boring safety
message are energized—and the learning magic happens. The
students love it! The intent of the program is to increase the safety
awareness of tractor/mower equipment operators.
Over 12,000 tractor/mower operators have successfully completed
the TMOST Program since 2007.TMOST customers continue to
have their equipment operators attend the program each year as a
refresher and reinforcement of the safety requirements for operating
tractors and mowers.
.
TMOST is a “best practices” safety training program as we have examined the
industry standards for safety and incorporated them into the TMOST curriculum.
It is modeled on the learning process of Tell, Show, Do and Review . First
explain and then discuss the safety message (TELL) you want the students to
learn. Then during the hands on portion which includes having the students
conduct a pre-operation equipment inspection on both the tractor/mower then
complete a driving test on a course set up by the training facilitator (SHOW /
DO). After that review with students what they have learned.
Students complete driver course
using Flail mower (Florida)
TMOST safety sing a long-using
different techniques to share the safety
message
The students learn by doing ( hands on) how to perform a preoperational safety
inspection on their tractor and mower, and how these checks can help prevent
mechanical failures and operator injuries.
Completing a training
workbook exercise during
TMOST
Pre-operation discussion
before students conduct
equipment inspection
The TMOST Program is being used in 36 States, as it is brought to the users
location and user their equipment. Therefore, there is a “reality training” approach
during the hands-on portion of the training. The classroom part is a facilitated
session, where the students are shown TMOST DVDs, compete a student
workbook and participate in classroom practical exercises and discussions. The
classroom tone sets the atmosphere that encourages student participation and
knowledge sharing.
We believe everyone that operates equipment should know the potential
hazards associated with the job .It doesn’t matter if it’s the equipment
operators, their supervisor or the technicians and maintenance team-its
important all involved in the operation and maintaining of the machine are kept
up to date and safe.
To ensure transfer of safety knowledge, TMOST includes a pre training test, a
post training test, as well as a final written examination. Using these measuring
tools, the comparing of the pre and post testing have shown an immediate
increase in the safety awareness knowledge of the students. Then the student
equipment inspection evaluation and their hands on driving lets the student
demonstrate their operator skills.
During the seven hour training day the students spend sometime in a
classroom setting participating in a safety awareness self-assessment
exercise, safety discussions, and practical exercises. The hands-on training
begins with the students shown how to conduct a pre operation inspection of
their equipment. then they conduct inspection of their equipment. Upon
completion of equipment inspect each student completes a driving test
Self Assessment
Operations & Driver testing
Pre-operation inspection by students
Safety Practices During maintenance
Safety awareness is one of the keys to
keeping your equipment operators safe
each and everyday. While there are plenty
of safety classes and training sessions
conducted in companies and organizations
…how much of the information is retained
by the student (equipment operator) that
they can recall and use on the job? By
offering safety training in an informative
and entertaining manner the students
probably will remember what there heard,
saw and most importantly did during
hands-on operational training portion long
after the training is completed
Karate “safety break through”
training exercise conducted during
TMOST Program
Often new equipment operators are shown
how to use their tractors and mowers by
fellow operators. That’s fine, as along as the
person showing how to safely and effectively
use the equipment has the knowledge and
the ability to train others. Effective operator
and safety training using original equipment
manufactures (OEM) manuals is an essential
part of the learning program.
Student practice using the skills
learned during TMOST using their
equipment, on their roadsides.
The success of this training method is
evidence that safety awareness information
sharing coupled with hands-on training in a
professional, high energy, learning
atmosphere helps the equipment operators
become safer, keep their equipment well
maintained; and, can positively impact the
bottom line.
For more information about the TMOST Program contact Jim Green at
jwgreen@alamo-group.com or 830-305-4294