Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining

Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

Sample of reported job titles:
Backhoe Operator, Dragline Oiler, Dragline Operator, Equipment Operator, Excavator Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Loader Operator, Pit Operator, Track Hoe Operator

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
  • Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
  • Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
  • Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and with efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
  • Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.

Technology Skills

  • Electronic mail software:Email software
    ,
    Google Gmail
  • Industrial control software:Machine control systems
    ,
    Machine monitoring software
  • Office suite software:Microsoft Office
  • Operating system software:Microsoft Windows
  • Presentation software:Microsoft PowerPoint

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes:Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials:Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Handling and Moving Objects:Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
  • Clean facilities or work areas.
  • Direct material handling or moving activities.
  • Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
  • Maintain material moving equipment in good working condition.

Work Context

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets:94% responded"Every day"
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls:83% responded"Continually or almost continually"
  • Face-to-Face Discussions:77% responded"Every day"
  • Exposed to Contaminants:75% responded"Every day"
  • Exposed to Whole Body Vibration:71% responded"Every day"

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Operation and Control:Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operations Monitoring:Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Monitoring:Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Knowledge

  • Mechanical:Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Building and Construction:Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
  • 71%
    High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
  • 23%
    Less than a High School Diploma

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Control Precision:The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Multilimb Coordination:The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Depth Perception:The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Manual Dexterity:The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Reaction Time:The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Interests

  • Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Work Values

  • Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
  • Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Work Styles

  • Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Stress Tolerance:Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
  • Adaptability/Flexibility:Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
  • Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
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