Underground heavy equipment operator

Underground heavy equipment operators in Queensland, Australia

Description

Underground heavy equipment operators control heavy-duty mining equipment such as cutting and loading equipment to excavate and load ore and raw mineral at underground mines.

The duties of an underground heavy equipment operator include, but are not limited to:

  • Operate various types of heavy equipment to lift, move, or place equipment or materials;
    • Load and unload equipment;
    • Be aware of situation hazards, including blind spots, pinch points, road crossings, power lines, conflicting right-of-way traffic, and proper use of tag lines;
    • Operate equipment safely in various terrains such as steep slopes;
    • Perform daily safety and maintenance checks;
    • Perform routine pre-operation inspection and maintenance on equipment;
    • Fill out equipment log books;
    • Clean, lubricate, and refuel equipment;
    • Communicate with the equipment spotter to discuss hand signals, blind spots etc.;

Working conditions

Underground heavy equipment operators work outdoors, often in enclosed environments.. They are exposed to outside weather.

Miners wear safety attire, such as hard hats and work boots on a daily basis. They are sometimes exposed to pollutants, such as mine dust, or harmful gases, high levels of sound and noise, and hazardous equipment. There is some likelihood of being injured from this exposure. Injuries are likely to be moderate.

Miners usually work full time. They may be away from home for extended periods of time. This occupation also involves a lot of climbing, stooping, crouching, bending, and heavy lifting.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to underground heavy equipment operator:

mine machine operator
miners
underground miner operator
heavy equipment operators
coalface miner
underground miner equipment operator
underground miner (heavy equipment)

Minimum qualifications

No formal educational credential is required to work as an underground heavy equipment operator. However, many employers prefer candidates with at least a high school diploma. On-the-job training is provided by the employers.

A valid driver’s license is often required.

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.

Underground heavy equipment operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Underground heavy equipment operator career path

Similar occupations

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

underground miner
surface miner
surface mine plant operator
mine control room operator
mining equipment mechanic

Long term prospects

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

mine safety officer
desalination technician
mine shift manager
gas processing plant control room operator
oil refinery control room operator

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of underground heavy equipment operator.

  • Impact of geological factors on mining operations: Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.
  • Health and safety hazards underground: The rules and risks affecting health and safety when working underground. 
  • Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
  • Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of underground heavy equipment operator.

  • Inspect heavy underground mining machinery: Inspect heavy-duty surface mining machinery and equipment. Identify and report defects and abnormalities.
  • Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
  • Operate mining tools: Operate and maintain a wide range of hand-held and powered mining tools and equipment.
  • Make independent operating decisions: Make immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best for a particular situation.
  • Deal with pressure from unexpected circumstances: Strive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.
  • Communicate mine equipment information: Communicate transparently and efficiently with mine production management and machine operators. Pass on any relevant information such as outages, efficiency and productivity of the equipment.
  • Address problems critically: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.
  • 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.
  • Perform minor repairs to equipment: Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
  • Conduct inter-shift communication: Communicate relevant information about the conditions in the workplace, progress, events, and potential problems to the workers in the next shift.

Optional skills and competences

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

  • Operate production drilling machine: Operate a large mobile mining machine equipped with a powerful pneumatic or hydraulic hammer used to drill long vertical and inclined holes for production purposes.
  • Operate powered roof support: Operate a powered roof support system, a hydraulically operated mobile piece of heavy mining equipment which supports the roof of a longwall face.
  • Ensure compliance with safety legislation: Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.
  • Operate longwall mining equipment: Operate longwall mining equipment such as shearers and plows, electric pieces of heavy mining equipment which cut minerals, usually coal or lignite, on a longwall face.
  • Operate LHD: Operate an LHD, a rubber tired, electric or diesel-operated piece of equipment used for cleaning roadways and hauling supplies underground.
  • Operate tunnelling machine: Operate a tunnelling machine, a machine with a large rotating steel drum equipped with tungsten carbide teeth that cut material in order to drive underground tunnels or development roadways. Operate the cutting drum and the continuous motion of the machine either remotely or seated on top.
  • Operate hydraulic pumps: Operate hydraulic pumping systems.
  • Operate drilling jumbo: Operate a large, mobile mining machine equipped with pneumatic or hydraulic hammers to bore horizontal holes in hard rock to enable blasting. Drilling jumbos are used for mining development.
  • Operate continuous miner: Operate a continuous miner, a machine with a large rotating steel drum equipped with tungsten carbide teeth that cut minerals from the seam. Operate the cutting drum and the continuous motion of the machine either remotely or seated on top.
  • Operate shuttle car: Operate a shuttle car, a diesel or electric-powered, vehicle equipped with an armoured conveyor belt system used to haul mineral from the face to the intermediate haulage system in room-and-pillar systems.
  • Operate scaler: Operate a scaler, consisting of a drill mounted on a vehicle, used to take down loose material from the roof, face and rib in hard rock mining.
  • Operate shotcreter: Operate a shotcreter, a mechanised shotcrete spraying system used for ground support applications. Pneumatically project concrete at high velocity through a hose to cover a surface or fill holes for a variety of purposes.
  • Operate drilling equipment: Operate a range of drilling equipment, pneumatic as well as electrical and mechanical. Tend drilling equipment, monitor and operate it, according to regulations. Safely and efficiently drill holes using the correct equipment, settings, and drill bits.
  • Operate roof bolter: Operate a roof bolter, a piece of mobile heavy equipment used in mining which bores a hole into the roof of a mining roadway, then injects it with a resin designed to support the roof.
  • Operate a range of underground mining equipment: Operate underground mining equipment, such as ventilation and transport systems.

ISCO group and title

8111 – Miners and quarriers


References
  1. ESCO
  2. Featured image: By State Library of Queensland, Australia – https://www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryqueensland/5278990675/, No restrictions
Last updated on June 27, 2022

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