Road roller operator

Road roller operators work with equipment to compact a variety of materials, such as soil, gravel, concrete or asphalt, in the construction of roads and foundations. They walk behind, or sit on top of the road roller, depending on the type and size, and roll over the area to be compacted.

The following job titles also refer to road roller operator:

roller-compactor operator
rough roller operator
vibrating roller driver
ride on road roller operator
walk-behind roller operator
ride on roller driver
roller operator
roller operative
ride on roller operator
road roller driver
walk-behind road roller operator
roller-compactor driver
roller driver
vibrating roller operator

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a road roller 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.

Road roller operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

grader operator
scraper operator
bulldozer operator
excavator operator
tower crane operator

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

crane crew supervisor
sewer construction supervisor
bridge construction supervisor
demolition supervisor
construction scaffolding supervisor

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

• Compaction techniques: The field of information which consists of a variety of techniques to spread asphalt over roads. Each technique is determined by the concept of the asphalt mix and the used paving technique. This is determined by its rolling and chip distribution.
• 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.

These skills are necessary for the role of road roller 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.
• 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 road roller: Operate various types of mechanic and manual road rollers, pieces of equipment used to compact surfaces.
• 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 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.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of road roller 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.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of road roller 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.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Plan surface slope: Make sure the planned surface has the necessary slope to prevent puddling of water or fluids.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

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References

1. Road roller operator – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by chris robert on Unsplash