GUIDELINES FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAIL
           GROOMER OPERATOR TRAINING


A Resource Guide for Trail Grooming Managers and Equipment Operators:


Chapter 3 - Managing Grooming Operations
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Common Operator Guidelines and Policies:
For the benefit of the operator and/or grooming program, many areas have formal guidelines or policies related to operator safety, practices, or behavior that include:

No Alcohol or Drugs:
Many areas have a Zero Tolerance policy regarding the use of alcohol or drugs when on duty. Other areas also specify a period of time prior to a grooming shift where alcohol cannot be consumed to prevent operators from showing up for their shift under the influence of or impaired by alcohol or drugs.

                       

Some areas go as far as to not allow groomer operators to run their shift if they have a hangover since the Grooming Managers believe this also constitutes an “impaired” and therefore unsafe situation. Zero Tolerance means there is no second chance – operators are terminated for their first infraction since the safety risks and liability associated with impaired groomer operators can be extremely significant.

  
Photo 3.5 The operators of this groomer were smoking marijuana and drove off the bridge.

No Smoking:
Many areas prohibit smoking while in grooming equipment, in their shop, and in maintenance areas. Certainly, smoking must be prohibited around all refueling areas. Smoking bans are due to operator health and safety. Smoking in the cab of grooming tractors can also decrease the unit’s resale value.

Firearms:
Many areas prohibit an operator from carrying a firearm in the grooming tractor as a safety as well as a liability issue. Additionally, many government agencies involved with trail grooming have policies that prohibit employees from hunting while on duty.

Passengers in Groomer:
While some areas routinely groom with two people in the grooming tractor (a driver and an assistant), other areas prohibit the operator from carrying passengers not involved with the grooming operation.

The most important aspect of whether or not to allow passengers is a safety issue. First, is the operator competent enough to not be distracted by a passenger? Second, the Manager should know beforehand that there is a passenger so, in the event of an emergency, rescuers know how many people they need to retrieve.

Communications:
Communications are so important to the success of any grooming program that many areas have established formal communication policies and procedures.

All are based on the need to communicate, communicate, and communicate some more! Operators must communicate the condition of equipment to other operators and the Manager.

They must communicate the condition of the trails they have been over to relief operators and the Manager. They must communicate anything (weather, large groups, trail conditions, hazards, etc.) they even slightly suspect to be pertinent to the overall grooming program to the Manager.

They must communicate to someone (dispatcher, family, or Manager) when they depart on a grooming run, their planned route, as well as their safe return. And when in doubt, they must feel safe to ASK, because there is no dumb question!

Grooming programs should invest in good communications equipment – whether cell phones, satellite phones, or two-way radios – to help ensure successful and effective communications within the program.



             Next Section - Preparing the Trail

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