When I was learning, the foreman worked alongside everyone

He knew each person's style and could give tips on the fly. These days, with so many new guys and big crews, that personal touch is gone. Do you think we've lost something important with bigger companies?

3 comments

3 Comments

oscars5415h ago

Yeah, now we just get a spreadsheet and a prayer. Like @the_alex said, problems get to simmer all season before anyone lifts the lid. Real efficient.

pat_anderson1d ago

Man, you nailed it. We got around that a bit at my last site by having the lead guy do informal five minute check ins with each small team at the start of the day. It wasn't the same, but it caught a lot of little stuff before it blew up.

the_alex1d ago

Absolutely lost more than just tips, that daily oversight stopped bad habits from forming. Now a guy can mess up a technique for months before anyone catches it, and safety stuff slips through way easier. You end up with more rework and hidden problems nobody notices until it's too late.