Excavator operator

Excavator operators use excavators to dig into earth or other materials to remove it. They are involved in a variety of projects, such as demolition, dredging, and the of digging holes, foundations and trenches.

The duties of an excavator operator include, but are not limited to:

• Operating machinery such as bulldozers, cranes, forklifts, backhoes, and other equipment used in excavation projects
• Inspecting equipment to ensure that it is functioning properly and performing as intended
• Performing manual labor tasks such as digging trenches, moving dirt, and pouring concrete
• Monitoring the progress of work being done by other workers on site
• Keeping records of time spent working, materials used, and equipment maintenance issues to ensure compliance with regulations
• Operating heavy machinery to move dirt, rock, and other materials to construct roadways, bridges, dams, and other large projects
• Operating construction equipment to remove debris from building sites or excavate soil to construct foundations for buildings
• Installing pipes, wires, and other underground utilities using digging equipment such as shovels, pickaxes, bulldozers, and backhoes
• Installing pipes and other materials for water and sewage systems.

Excavator operators typically work full time, and some may work more than 40 hours per week. They may work outdoors in all types of weather and may be exposed to noise, dust, and fumes. They may be required to wear safety equipment, such as hard hats, safety glasses, and earplugs. Some excavator operators may be required to work at night or on weekends.

The following job titles also refer to excavator operator:

plant operator, excavator
tracked excavator operator
equipment operator, excavator
heavy plant operator, excavator
360 degree excavator operator
construction plant operator, excavator
backhoe excavator operator
excavator
excavation worker

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as an excavator 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.

Excavator operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

grader operator
scraper operator
bulldozer operator
road roller operator
tower crane operator

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

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

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

These skills are necessary for the role of excavator 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.
• Supply machine with appropriate tools: Supply the machine with the necessary tools and items for a particular production purpose.
• 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.
• Dig sewer trenches: Prepare trenches for sewer pipes. Dig judiciously according to plans, avoiding underground utility infrastructure. Brace the trench to prevent compaction of the sewer pipe. Fill the trench after the pipes have been installed.
• 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.
• 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 excavator: Operate excavators used to dig materials from the surface and load them onto dump trucks.
• 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.
• Level earth surface: Change the profile of the earth surface, turning it flat or shaping it to match a certain slope. Remove irregularities such as knolls, pits and ditches.

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

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

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of excavator 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.
• 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.
• 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 road roller: Operate various types of mechanic and manual road rollers, pieces of equipment used to compact surfaces.
• 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.
• Operate grader: Operate a grader, a piece of heavy equipment used in construction to create a flat surface.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• 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.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• 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.

8342 – Earthmoving and related plant operators

---

References

1. Excavator operator – ESCO
2. Featured image: By FBenjr123 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0