Heavy Equipment Operator (Pipe Crew)

Summary

This position is responsible for operating several types of construction equipment such as dump trucks, bulldozers, front end loaders, graders, tracked excavators or water trucks to excavate, move, grade, and load earth into haul trucks.

This position at times will also responsible for tasks involving physical labor at construction sites and assisting other workers.

Employees may operate hand and power tools of all types : air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments.

They may also clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble other waste materials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Learn and follow safety regulations
• Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects
• Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work
• Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met
• Adjust hand wheels and depress pedals to control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms
• Start engines; move throttles, switches, or levers; or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes
• Coordinate machine actions with other activities, position or move loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members
• Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment
• Check fuel supplies at sites to ensure adequate availability
• Drive and maneuver equipment with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain
• Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards
• Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools while distributing them to the appropriate locations
• Control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones with appropriate training provided
• Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials with appropriate training provided
• Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes
• May be required to enter trenches and / or confined spaces after receiving proper training
• Understand and comply with safety considerations as set herein and as directed by the Foreman / Supervisor

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Requirements

• Follow safety regulations
• Follow specific instructions and meet set standards
• Judge distances and slopes accurately
• Make decisions based on verifiable standards
• Must be able to stoop, bend, and crouch and use hands, arms, and legs fully
• Must have good vision and hearing (either naturally or with correction)
• Frequently lift up to 80 pounds, and the ability to carry objects weighing 50 pounds or less
• Work dusty or dirty surroundings.
• Work within standards of accuracy
• Repeat tasks according to set procedures and safety requirements
• Stand or walk for long periods
• Use arms and hands to reach for, handle, and manipulate objects
• Lift and carry materials weighing 50 to 80 pounds
• Climb up and down ladders, scaffolds, and other objects
• Carry tools and equipment
• Stoop, kneel, crouch , twist, turn, and crawl, and see and hear (naturally or with correction)
• Pass construction equipment operator qualification testing / observation.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma preferred
• Two-three years verifiable and relevant experience

Safety Considerations

An Equipment Operator typically works 12 hours per day, 6-7 days per week in extreme hot and cold environments after acclimatization.

Work may be required on variable terrain in performance of duties, and could include risk exposure to snakes and insects.

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including protective clothing and creams will be provided to minimize exposure Employees are required to wear all required PPE on a daily basis.

A valid driver's license and good driving record are essential if operating a motor vehicle. Equipment Operators routinely lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted on daily basis.

• Routine climbing into / out of equipment while maintaining 3 points of contact
• Continuous vibration and jarring motions
• Tasks requiring hand-eye coordination
• Possible trench and / or excavation entry (after receiving appropriate training)
• Possible hand rigging
• Possible exposure, handling of hazardous material such as diesel fuel and similar petroleum products (with PPE provided to minimize exposure)
• Possible night work

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.