What Does A Heavy Equipment Operator Do?

A heavy equipment operator is trained to handle bulldozers, dump trucks, forklifts, backhoes, cargo trucks, and hydraulic truck cranes to help construct structures like bridges, roads, and buildings. 

A heavy equipment operator usually works on construction sites. It is normal to have more than one heavy equipment operator, so they typically work closely with other operators and the ground crew.

Areas Of Specialization For Heavy Equipment Operators

There are three areas of specialization for a heavy equipment operator. These three areas include: 

Construction Equipment Operators

They are also called operating engineers. They handle loading and excavation machines and use them to dig and lift sand, gravel, or earth. 

Paving And Surface Equipment Operators

They use machines to spread concrete and asphalt during the construction of roadways. 

Pile-Driver Operators

They control equipment to hammer heavy beams of wood, concrete, and steel, called piles, into the ground.

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Work Conditions Of A Heavy Equipment Operator

The work hours put in by a heavy equipment operator in a week are 40 hours which translates to 8 hours a day, five days a week.

However, there are crucial times that delicate jobs might coerce a heavy equipment operator to work overtime because of the job.

Sometimes, they cannot just leave a job halfway. Working overtime translates to more pay.

Heavy equipment operators are adequately trained to ensure safety and take practical steps to minimize injury or damage to property and health. They promote safety as a priority.

They work in all kinds of weather. They must be competent and willing to work under adverse conditions in extreme weather and confined spaces, and up to 80 feet in height.

Heavy machine operators are at greater risk of injury due to slippery and falls.

Their work environment includes exposure to hazards or physical hazards, which require basic safety precautions.

The job involves exposure to almost any hazardous substances, such as high temperatures, toxic chemicals, dangerous substances, dirt, dust, smoke, smoke, and loud noises.

It requires intense physical activity due to heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects over 50 pounds.

Responsibilities Of A Heavy Equipment Operator

• For a heavy equipment operator to be on-site, there are specific responsibilities that they must carry out. Such responsibilities include: 
• Use heavy equipment under the company’s operating policies and procedures.
• To provide final recommendations and to improve environmental performance.
• Load and unload equipment on cars and trailers.
• Ensure that company property, equipment and workplace are maintained, clean, and secure. Collect and dispose of waste, overused materials, and debris.
• Look at the distribution of paved materials to adjust machinery or movement arrangements and point to lower areas for staff to add items.
• Complete the required paperwork, reporting, and other documents.

Requirements Of A Heavy Equipment Operator

A heavy equipment operator must meet some requirements. Such requirements include:

• A high school diploma
• At least one year of experience directly related to the stated roles and responsibilities.
• Completed degrees from an accredited institution above a minimum educational requirement may be replaced by a year’s experience.
• The ability to use heavy equipment.
• Knowledge of light and performance of heavy equipment and its maintenance.
• The ability to use hand tools and the power of effective trade.
• Basic vehicle testing and maintenance information, including tire pressure, oil, and water level testing.
• The ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce security procedures.

Types Of Heavy Equipment A Heavy Equipment Operator Uses

There are four types of heavy equipment operators use. These types include: 

Backhoe Operator

A backhoe operator uses various attachments to scoop and dump materials, dig trenches, load heavy materials, and break rock or concrete.

Bulldozer Operator

The primary purpose of a bulldozer operator is to clear and level land.

Front-End Loader Operator

A front-end loader operator picks up loads of earth, rock, sand, gravel, or snow and then moves and dumps them.

Grader Operator

A grader operator controls the height and angle of grader blades to spread and level earth or other materials such as snow.

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Skills Of A Heavy Equipment Operator

There are specific skills a heavy equipment operator must possess. Such skills include:

Mathematical Prowess

Heavy machine operators do math in their work all day, and math skills are essential. However, statistics are first used in studying building plans, record keeping, reporting, inventory, and document preparation.

Good Communicator

Operators may spend a lot of time alone in the cab of their equipment which makes their communication skills very important. In addition, due to the amount of work and people on the work site, operators must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently.

Connecting The Hand With The Feet

You have to direct the movement of your hands and feet to direct the heavy machines in tight spaces.

Performance Monitoring

You will need to read the gauges, dials, and other indicators and adjust them.

Interpersonal And Interpersonal Skills

You should be able to coordinate your actions with other employees on busy construction sites.

Problem-Solving

Anyone using heavy equipment should be able to identify and fix operating problems.

Critical Thinking

Your job will require you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of problem-solving to choose the one that is most likely to be the most effective and least expensive.

Attention To Detail

The use of heavy equipment requires attention to detail to monitor multiple situations. Operators monitor their equipment, work progress, and staff movements while following safety procedures.

Level Of Learning To Qualify As A Heavy Equipment Operator

You must attain a level of learning that would enable you to be eligible as a heavy equipment operator. 

It is a tradition to learn how to operate light equipment under an experienced operator’s guidance.

Below are some levels of learning you must attain: 

Apprenticeship

This option covers three to four years of a combination of technical education and training in the work or field. You will learn to use and maintain equipment during on-the-job training. 

Instructors will teach you about safety procedures and first aid in the classroom and work procedures.

License

The municipality you operate in may require you to have a license to use the goods or deliver them to the workplace. For example, some provinces require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to tow equipment. Pile-driver drivers require crane licenses in other cities and regions.