Bulldozer operator

A bulldozer operator

Description

Bulldozer operators operate a heavy vehicle to move earth, rubble or other material over the ground.

The duties of a bulldozer operator include, but are not limited to:

  • Monitoring machinery functions such as oil levels and coolant levels to ensure safe operation
  • Operating equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, forklifts, graders, and loaders to move materials
  • Inspecting equipment for defects, performing repair work as needed, and maintaining records of repairs performed
  • Monitoring equipment operation to ensure it is functioning properly
  • Operating cranes or bulldozers to push dirt, rocks, coal, or other materials from one location to another
  • Operating machinery to move earth or rock material from one location to another
  • Coordinating with other workers to ensure that new construction projects meet safety standards
  • Operating equipment to grade land for construction projects such as road building or home building
  • Operating heavy machinery such as backhoes or bulldozers to remove debris or wreckage.

Working conditions

Bulldozer operators usually work full time and may work overtime, weekends, and holidays. They work outdoors in all types of weather conditions and may be exposed to noise, dust, and fumes. They may be required to wear hearing protection and safety glasses. Some operators may be required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to bulldozer operator:

bulldozer driver
bull dozer driver
dozer driver
dozer operative
bulldozer operative
earthmover driver
bull dozer operator
dozer/crawler driver
construction plant operator
earthmover operator

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a bulldozer operator.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Bulldozer operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Bulldozer operator career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to bulldozer operator.

scraper operator
grader operator
excavator operator
road roller operator
tower crane operator

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of bulldozer operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of bulldozer operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

crane crew supervisor
sewer construction supervisor
demolition supervisor
bridge construction supervisor
dredging supervisor

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of bulldozer operator.

  • Mechanical tools: Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Mechanical systems: Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.
  • Excavation techniques: The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of bulldozer operator.

  • Keep heavy construction equipment in good condition: Inspect heavy equipment for construction projects before each use. Maintain the machine in good working order, taking care of small repairs and alerting the responsible person in case of serious defects.
  • Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
  • Dig soil mechanically: Use mechanical equipment to dig up and move soil. Form pits according to excavation plans.
  • Inspect construction sites: Ensure health and safety during the construction project by inspecting the construction site regularly. Identify risks of putting people in danger or of damaging construction equipment.
  • Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
  • Operate bulldozer: Operate a tracked or wheeled bulldozer, a powerful piece of machinery equipped with a shovel-like blade used to move earth, rubble or other material over the ground.
  • Prevent damage to utility infrastructure: Consult utility companies or plans on the location of any utility infrastructure that may interfere with a project or be damaged by it. Take the necessary steps to avoid damage.
  • Move soil: Use machinery to load and unload soil. Take care not to overload the machine. Dump the soil judiciously in the assigned place.
  • Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
  • Recognise the hazards of dangerous goods: Be aware of the threats posed by potentially dangerous goods such as polluting, toxic, corrosive, or explosive materials.
  • Operate gps systems: Use GPS Systems.
  • Drive mobile heavy construction equipment: Drive movable heavy equipment used in construction. Load the equipment onto low loaders, or unload it. Judiciously drive equipment on public roads when required.
  • React to events in time-critical environments: Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.
  • Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bulldozer operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bulldozer operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Sort waste: Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
  • Supply machine with appropriate tools: Supply the machine with the necessary tools and items for a particular production purpose.
  • Operate construction scraper: Operate a scraper, a piece of heavy equipment that scrapes a layer of soil from the surface and transports it in a hopper.
  • Operate heavy construction machinery without supervision: Work with heavy construction machinery independently without the intervention of a supervisor. Take responsibility for your decisions and actions.
  • Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
  • Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
  • Operate road roller: Operate various types of mechanic and manual road rollers, pieces of equipment used to compact surfaces.
  • Operate grader: Operate a grader, a piece of heavy equipment used in construction to create a flat surface.
  • Operate excavator: Operate excavators used to dig materials from the surface and load them onto dump trucks.
  • Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
  • Perform minor repairs to equipment: Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
  • Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
  • Secure heavy construction equipment: Secure heavy equipment such as tower cranes or concrete pumps before, during, and after use to prevent damage to the machines, workforce or construction site. Take precautionary steps such as retracting the robotic arm of concrete pumps or bringing the hook block back to the jib.
  • Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.
  • Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
  • Test soil load bearing capacity: Test the capacity of the ground to support the load applied to it before installing heavy structures, such as tower cranes, or before driving on it with heavy vehicles.

ISCO group and title

8342 – Earthmoving and related plant operators


References
  1. Bulldozer operator – ESCO
  2. Bulldozer Operator Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
  3. Featured image: Photo by Boom & Bucket on Unsplash
Last updated on August 23, 2022

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