RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Heavy Equipment Operator include, but are not limited to:

• Operate heavy equipment such as excavators, loaders, combos, dozers, trenchers safely and provide support to successful completion of the construction site.
• Practice safety in your every move, estimating weights and distances, being fully aware of your surroundings, doing your part to minimize hazards and reporting any injuries or damage immediately.
• Create level surfaces, grade slopes to specifications, remove material and thoroughly fill voids using plans and/or a survey as a guidance.
• Load and unload construction materials, waste, and other heavy objects from trucks and into dumpsters either manually or with the assistance of a machine.
• Perform daily safety checks on oil, water, and fuel levels and inspect for leaks and any damage to the equipment before operation.
• Responsible for written notification to supervisor and shop manager if the equipment needs to be repaired.
• Understand and follow directions from supervisors as to required work area.
• Attend weekly safety meetings.
• Use of Personal Protection Equipment is required: Hard hat – Safety glasses – Safety Vest and Gloves.
• Use of the three-point contact method when entering and exiting off the elevated equipment, can help to significantly reduce the chance of a serious injury from a slip or fall.

SKILLS

• Excellent hand, eye and foot coordination.
• Must be able to climb on and off heavy mobile equipment safely.
• Ability to lift, bend, push and pull a minimum of 15 pounds.
• Good communication skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

• OSHA 10 hours.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• CDL is preferred.
• At least 2 years of prior experience in heavy equipment.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Bending: Bending, stretching, and twisting are required to reach the hand controls of machinery or during inspection of the equipment.
• Bouncing: Vibrating, shaking, or jolting of the body transmitted through a supporting surface, in this case the heavy equipment seat when operating the machinery.
• Crawling/Kneeling: Occasionally crawling to check equipment/machinery for safe day-to-day operation and for general maintenance needs.
• Climbing: Ladder climbing is performed to enter/exit the equipment or machinery.
• Lifting/Carrying: Minimal sedentary to light level of lifting is required occasionally, such as handheld personal belongings into the equipment/machinery cab.
• Sensory Demands: Suitable hearing, near and far sighted vision must be at least 20/20, and great spatial perception.
• Sitting: For long periods of time as the operator performs his/her duties.
• Stopping: Operating heavy equipment causes your upper body to constantly move and react in a back and forth motion with sudden stops and starts.
• Pushing/Pulling: Required when the employee operates equipment hand controls. Initial force to pull open/close the cab door influenced by the weather (up to 50 lbs.)

NOTE: FIT FOR DUTY – PHYSICAL EXAM BASED ON PHYSICAL DEMANDS