An Equipment Operator is a professional who maneuvers heavy machinery and equipment to facilitate various construction, manufacturing, and industrial processes. These individuals play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of machinery while adhering to safety protocols and project requirements. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Equipment Operators.

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Main Responsibilities of an Equipment Operator

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Equipment Operator:

Abide by

Abide by all safety standards and policies including use of all Personal Protective Equipment.

Address

Address immediate operational and / or safety concerns.

Adhere to

• Adhere to company policies and procedures.

• Adhere to general safety requirements.

• Adhere to project timelines and deadlines.

• Adhere to safety policies and procedures to include proper use of personal protective equipment.

• Adhere to workplace safety policies, regulations, and compliances.

Adjust

Adjust machine settings to optimize performance.

Assist in

• Assist and work with others on construction crews.

• Assist in and coordinate the delivery of dry goods and raw materials.

• Assist in making electrical repairs.

• Assist in physical inventories and ensure proper stock rotation.

• Assist in restoring worksite at completion of daily work.

• Assist in the creation of new training programs.

• Assist in the training and development of other team mates when needed.

• Assist in training new equipment operators.

• Assist in variance report investigation and work order closing.

• Assist keeping the facility in a neat and organized manner.

• Assist other personnel as needed to ensure prompt shipment or returns.

• Assist personnel in office moves which may include furniture moving.

• Assist with building construction and concrete tasks.

• Assist with pipe installation during mechanical / civil construction.

Attend

Attend required meetings as requested.

Clean

• Clean equipment and tracks when required.

• Clean equipment as needed.

• Clean, lubricate and fuel all equipment and general site housekeeping.

• Clean, lubricate and perform other minor cat repair and maintenance work.

• Clean, lubricate and perform other minor maintenance work.

• Clean sterilizer infeed and discharge tracks, can dryer and any related.

• Clean tracks or wheels on equipment, as needed.

• Clean up chemical spills and other contaminants (as trained).

• Clean up job site when finished.

Clear

Clear debris and obstructions from work areas.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with team members to execute project plans effectively.

Communicate

• Communicate effectively with crew via hand signals and radio communications.

• Communicate effectively with supervisors and colleagues.

• Communicate updates to your supervisor to ensure that you meet all goals and objectives.

• Communicate with Kitchener Operations employees and QA / maintenance staff.

• Communicate with the QA Department when product is on hold.

Complete

• Complete daily housekeeping assignments.

• Complete Finishing application and hoisting.

• Complete forms and handle documentation.

• Complete inventory consolidations.

• Complete nightly sanitation processes on equipment following established written procedures.

• Complete OSHA 30-hour construction safety class within past five (5) years.

• Complete production reporting and other documentation as required.

• Complete project documentation as required including JSA Forms, excavation checklists, etc..

• Complete required paperwork, reporting, and other documentation.

• Complete work in timely manner.

Comply with

Comply with environmental and waste disposal regulations.

Conduct

• Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment.

• Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment and report any defects.

• Conduct pre-shift / post-shift walk-around safety inspections.

• Conduct routine maintenance checks on machinery.

• Conduct site inspections for potential hazards.

Confirm

Confirm quantity of devices to traveler.

Consult with

Consult with manager regarding daily trash or recycling route for maximum efficiency.

Contribute to

Contribute to building a positive team spirit.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and organize daily activities of all crew members and equipment.

• Coordinate maintenance and equipment issues with the Production Manager and Maintenance Mechanic.

• Coordinate with other trades on construction sites.

Diagnose

Diagnose mechanical problems.

Dig

Dig trenches for pool construction projects with an excavator.

Direct

Direct traffic at or near construction sites.

Drive

• Drive and control the equipment.

• Drive cube van or 3-ton dump truck with trailer in tow.

• Drive variety of trucks in the most efficient & safest manner following transportation driving laws.

Employ

Employ preventative strategies for maintenance and monitor all vineyard equipment for issues.

Ensure

• Ensure burials, entombments and inurnments are securely and carefully opened and closed.

• Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.

• Ensure proper storage and handling of equipment.

• Ensure safe operating procedures for vineyard and winery.

• Ensure stocks of needed materials are ready and available at all times.

• Ensure timely startup of equipment.

Establish

Establish methods to meet work schedules.

Evaluate

Evaluate ground conditions for safe equipment operation.

Excavate

Excavate and grade land surfaces as per project specifications.

Execute

Execute preventative maintenance task.

Fill

Fill out and understand an equipment log book.

Follow

• Follow all safety policies and procedures.

• Follow all traffic legislation and.

• Follow and enforce all safety rules established by the company for the workplace.

• Follow appropriate standard operating procedures as guideline for operating and maintaining vehicle.

• Follow approved shipping and receiving protocol.

• Follow Interment Verification Procedures.

• Follow proper equipment maintenance to keep machines in proper working condition.

• Follow safety protocols and regulations at all times.

Identify

Identify and communicate any safety concerns through training, site inspections and assessments.

Implement

• Implement 5S requirements in the production area.

• Implement safety measures to prevent accidents.

Increase

Increase your knowledge with Tuition.

Inspect

Inspect and maintain equipment.

Interact with

Interact with customers and team members to facilitate a safe and productive yard environment.

Issue

Issue materials to workstation.

Keep

• Keep current on safety inspections such as MSHA regulations and BURNCO.

• Keep production lines supplied with empty containers and packaging materials as needed.

Load

• Load and unload construction materials, and move materials to work areas.

• Load and unload customer parts and components.

• Load fibre barges in relation to specifications.

• Load, unload and transport construction materials.

• Load and unload customer's trucks / vehicles.

• Load various types of trucks.

Maintain

• Maintain accurate records of work hours and tasks completed.

• Maintain availability when requested to meet emergency situations.

• Maintain clean up on belt lines, shoveling required.

• Maintain clear and open communication with management.

• Maintain familiarity with and executes safe work procedures associated with assigned work.

• Maintain good housekeeping in areas of responsibility.

• Maintain inventory of metal consumables.

• Maintain the highest degree of honesty and integrity at all times.

• Maintain yard organization and cleanliness to align with Finning housekeeping and safety standards.

Manage

• Manage fuel and oil inventory for equipment, maintain tanks daily.

• Manage multiple tasks and set priorities to meet project deadlines.

Maneuver

• Maneuver equipment to perform tasks such as digging, lifting, and moving materials.

• Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew as needed.

Mark

Mark tests, evaluate and grade students.

Meet

Meet expected production quotas as identified by supervisor.

Monitor

• Monitor equipment constantly to ensure proper running condition in order to avoid down time.

• Monitor equipment functionality and report any malfunctions promptly.

• Monitor loading and unloading of cargo to ensure done so accurately and securely.

• Monitor own work to ensure quality objectives are met.

Move

• Move RV's to cleaning location or others sites.

• Move RV's to PDI locations using a forklift.

Observe

Observe meters and gauge and adjust and repair equipment.

Operate

• Operate a 10 cy or less dump trucks to and from work locations, construction sites, etc..

• Operate cappers and monitors / corrects any jams.

• Operate during all types of weather conditions indoors.

• Operate equipment in a safe and effective manner while avoiding damage to company and other property.

• Operate equipment in confined spaces.

• Operate equipment in various weather and terrain conditions.

• Operate Forklift to transport Finished Product.

• Operate heavy equipment safely.

• Operate heavy equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, and cranes.

• Operate minor assembly type machines in or out of clean room type environment.

• Operate pneumatic hammers, vibrators and tampers as directed.

• Operate scrapers in a safe and efficient manner.

• Operate snow plow and salt spreader plowing and salting roads.

• Operate the equipment in the right direction and angles to prevent accidents and damage of property.

• Operate the equipment manually and using electronic or technical methods of operation.

• Operate trash compactor and assist vendors in preparing materials for hauling.

• Operate trucks as required.

• Operate two-way radios and other communication equipment, perform minor repairs to equipment.

• Operate various makes and models of haul trucks.

Participate

• Participate in all daily site safety meetings.

• Participate to the best of your ability in the safety program.

Perform

• Perform and log pre-operation safety inspections.

• Perform and report on, daily safety and maintenance checks.

• Perform at a high and safe level of productivity.

• Perform a variety of duties in loading, unloading trucks and moving materials within work site.

• Perform a variety of tasks involving strenuous manual labor.

• Perform both routine and skilled laboring tasks.

• Perform daily inspections of scrapers prior to operation.

• Perform daily routes to collect waste or clean streets.

• Perform daily safety and maintenance checks.

• Perform equipment safety, maintenance checks and routine repairs.

• Perform general maintenance and service requirements of equipment in area of responsibility.

• Perform heavy lifting tasks.

• Perform light maintenance on heavy equipment (i.e. grease, fuel, shovel tracks).

• Perform minor repairs to poles as required prior to shipping.

• Perform minor repair works during functioning problems.

• Perform pre-operational checks on machinery.

• Perform preventative maintenance on plant equipment.

• Perform routine cleaning on equipment, as required.

• Perform routine daily pre-use inspections to ensure safe operability of all equipment.

• Perform routine maintenance such as lubricating, fueling, and cleaning.

• Perform routine operator daily maintenance on equipment as per SOPs.

• Perform safety checks on machine(s).

• Perform the essential duties of the Sorter / Equipment Operator.

Precise

Precise hand-eye coordination.

Process

Process, inspect, and / or package commodities through various processing stages.

Promote

Promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.

Provide

• Provide a quality check on all products for potential identification errors or shortages.

• Provide break coverage for the production line.

• Provide information to and assists customers.

• Provide internal and external Customer Service excellence.

Push

Push other equipment when extra traction or assistance if required.

Put

Put away and pick orders with accuracy using mobile scanner, stock picker and / or forklift.

Read

• Read and comprehend container labels prior to touching or opening.

• Read and interpret blueprints and construction plans.

• Read and interpret rigging load charts.

• Read and interpret site-specific Safety Plan at each site.

• Read and understand blueprints as well as grade stakes.

Receive

Receive, return rail cars and maintain and clean milling vats.

Record

• Record all code dates, best before dates or lot numbers on the bill of lading.

• Record inspection information, hours and any breakdowns.

Report

• Report any necessary repairs to supervisor, as needed.

• Report to assigned branch, or location within time frame given.

• Report to the senior operation manager.

• Report to work at the designated start time.

Resolve

Resolve work problems and recommend measures to improve productivity.

Respond to

Respond promptly to emergency situations.

Safeguard

Safeguard employees and the public from hazards in and around work area.

Secure

Secure loads for transportation.

Set-up

• Set-up barriers, warning signs, flags, markers, etc. to protect employees and public.

• Set-up equipment for next day's production requirements.

Stand

Stand up to 10-12 hours per shift, sit for up to 5-6 hours per shift.

Support

• Support on-site coordination of manpower, materials, and equipment to complete the project.

• Support pruning and other vineyard activities in the off-season.

• Support the team in other general pipeline maintenance activities as required.

Transport

• Transport cargo and / or equipment in a safe and professional manner.

• Transport materials to and from worksites.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot mechanical issues as they arise.

Understand

• Understand basic rigging, hand lines, and lineman knot tying.

• Understand load and work limits of the equipment model being operated.

• Understand safe work practices.

• Understand when to wear personnel protective equipment.

Unload

Unload trailers and containers as assigned.

Uphold

Uphold quality standards in all operations.

Use

• Use basic measuring devices.

• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

• Use of manual hand tools such as shovels.

Utilize

• Utilize the Employee Assistance Program for help with legal, financial and mental health matters.

• Utilize various hand tools as needed to complete daily job requirements.

Verify

Verify traveler matches parts in magazine container.

Work

• Work and follow instructions given by crew foreman and superintendents.

• Work as part of a team in a mature and professional manner.

• Work as part of a team to complete projects in a safe, responsible, and timely manner.

• Work as part of a team to load and / or unload materials.

• Work as part of a team to meet the branches commitment to company and customer satisfaction.

• Work at various job sights.

• Work both indoors and outdoors.

• Work closely with and under the direction of a foreman or superintendent.

• Work in cooperation with production staff to achieve departmental objectives.

• Work near energized parts or equipment.

• Work safely during all phases of performing the job duties required in the field.

• Work well with other team members and follow direction.

• Work within a specific yard.

• Work within the safety parameters as outlined in the company safety manual.

• Work with minimal supervision.

• Work with the production crew to manufacture finished product that meets company specifications.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Equipment Operator:

1. Proficiency in operating various types of heavy machinery.

2. Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and blueprints.

3. Knowledge of hydraulic and mechanical systems.

4. Expertise in equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.

5. Familiarity with GPS and computerized systems for equipment operation.

6. Understanding of safety regulations and protocols.

7. Capacity to perform basic repairs on machinery.

8. Skill in using hand and power tools.

9. Ability to operate equipment attachments and accessories.

10. Competence in conducting pre and post-operational inspections.

11. Knowledge of rigging and lifting techniques.

12. Understanding of load capacities and weight distribution.

13. Proficiency in operating equipment in diverse environments.

14. Ability to operate equipment in confined spaces and tight quarters.

15. Skill in operating equipment on slopes and uneven terrain.

16. Familiarity with rigging and signaling procedures.

17. Capability to operate equipment with precision and accuracy.

18. Knowledge of soil types and their impact on equipment operation.

19. Ability to assess ground conditions for safe operation.

20. Competence in adhering to equipment manufacturer specifications.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Equipment Operator:

1. Strong communication skills for effective collaboration.

2. Adaptability to changing work environments and conditions.

3. Attention to detail in equipment operation and maintenance.

4. Problem-solving abilities to address unexpected challenges.

5. Teamwork and interpersonal skills for working with colleagues.

6. Time management skills to meet project deadlines.

7. Decision-making skills in high-pressure situations.

8. Accountability for equipment performance and safety.

9. Stress management to handle demanding workloads.

10. Integrity and professionalism in all aspects of the job.

Conclusion

Mastering the role of an Equipment Operator requires a blend of technical expertise, practical experience, and interpersonal skills. By understanding the core responsibilities and honing essential skills, equipment operators can excel in their profession and contribute to the success of various industries.