Dredge operator

Dredge operators work with industrial equipment to remove underwater material in order to make the area accessible to ships, to establish ports, to lay cables or for other purposes, and move the material to the desired location.

The following job titles also refer to dredge operator:

dredde operator
port dredge operator
port dredger operator
dredger operator
dredge operatr

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a dredge operator.

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.

Dredge operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

bulldozer operator
scraper operator
excavator operator
grader operator
road roller operator

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

dredging supervisor
desalination technician
sewer construction supervisor
construction quality inspector
air pollution analyst

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

• Mechanical systems: Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.
• Dredging consoles: The configuration of different types of dredging consoles. How the functions of the dredge are mapped to the console.

These skills are necessary for the role of dredge operator.

• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Collect samples: Set up and operate equipment to collect water, gas or soil samples for testing.
• Use rigging tools: Employ rigging tools such as cables, ropes, pulleys and winches to safely secure high structures.
• 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.
• 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.
• Position dredger: Communicate with the captain or mate to move the dredge into the right position to commence the dredging operation.
• Maintain dredging equipment: Keep the dredging equipment in good condition. Regularly inspect suction elements, pumps, cables, cutterheads and other elements and take the necessary steps to repair any damage or wear.
• 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.
• Measure water depth: Measure the depths of a body of water by using depth measuring equipment such as a depth gauge.

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

• Soil mechanics: Thoroughly understand the characteristics of soil in relation to analysing the deformations of fluids within soil that supports man-made structures.
• Machinery load capacity: The maximum load capacity of the operated piece of machinery, under different circumstances and in different positions and movements. Passive load capacity and active load capacity, which is measure while in motion.
• Excavation techniques: The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.

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

• Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
• Operate bucket wheel excavator: Operate a bucket wheel excavator, a giant piece of mining machinery that uses a wheel or a chain equipped with buckets to scrape away material from the surface, then load it onto a conveyor belt.
• Clear pipelines: Clear pipelines by pumping water or other substances through them, or wash the pipelines manually or using suitable machinery.
• Control cutterheads: Manoeuvre the cutterheads of a cutter dredge. Choose the correct cutterhead equipment and lower the cutterheads to commence dredging. Raise the cutterhead to avoid obstacles or to end the dredging session.
• Position anchor poles: Lower and raise the anchor poles, or spuds, of a dredge vessel. Determine the desired position of the spuds and release them. Hoist the spuds back up to change the position of the ship.
• Replace cutterhead teeth: Replace the teeth of a dredging cutterhead when the teeth are worn out or when another type is needed.
• Operate excavator: Operate excavators used to dig materials from the surface and load them onto dump trucks.
• Operate gps systems: Use GPS Systems.
• 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.
• Guide placement of anchors: Assist the responsible person in the positioning of box anchors and shore anchors.
• Control suction booms: Control the suction booms, which contains the suction hose that the dredged materials are evacuated through. Raise and lower the suction booms to start and end the operation, or to avoid obstacles.
• 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.

8342 – Earthmoving and related plant operators

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References

1. Dredge operator – ESCO