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Heavy equipment operator

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Heavy equipment operator
A mini excavator uncovers the remains of a wooden ship
Occupation
Occupation type
Vocation
Activity sectors
Construction
Description
Fields of
employment
construction
Related jobs
excavator operator, Driver
A wheeled front loader at work. This wheeled tractor is equipped with a large bucket, which can be raised or lowered by hydraulic arms.

A heavy equipment operator operates heavy equipment used in engineering and construction projects.[1][2] Typically only skilled workers may operate heavy equipment, and there is specialized training for learning to use heavy equipment.

Operator training

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Various organizations set standards for training for heavy equipment operators. Such organizations typically offer what in the US is called "effective safety training". Specific organizations include the following:

Safety

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Much publication about heavy equipment operators focuses on improving safety for such workers. The occupational medicine field researches and makes recommendations about safety for these and other workers in safety-sensitive positions. Hand signals are also important for machinery operators as it facilitates visual aid for safe work in spite of factors such as noise and a crowded environment.[3]

Notable heavy equipment operators

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Types

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These subdivisions, in this order, are the standard heavy equipment categorization.

Tractor

Grader

Excavator

Backhoe

Timber

Pipelayer

Scraper

Mining

Articulated

Compactor

Loader

  • Loader (payloader, front loader, wheel loader, integrated tool carrier)
  • Skip loader (skippy)

Track loader

Skid-steer loader

Material handler

Paving

Underground

Hydromatic tool

Hydraulic machinery

Highway

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Construction Equipment Operators : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics". www.bls.gov. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  2. ^ V. J. Davies, Ken Tomasin (1996). Construction Safety Handbook. Thomas Telford. ISBN 0-7277-2519-X.
  3. ^ "Crane Hand Signals: Vital for Construction Safety". Al Marwan Heavy Machinery. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
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