Job description Highway Snowplough Operator in the Athabasca–Grande Prairie–Peace River Region
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Find out what work is like for a highway snowplough operator in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers (NOC 74205).

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

Description

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers operate vehicles and equipment to maintain streets, highways and sewer systems and operate trucks to collect garbage and recyclable materials. This unit group also includes workers who clear vegetation close to power lines. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal public works departments, private contractors under contract with government public works departments and private companies involved in the collection of refuse and recyclable materials.

Work week duration

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Operate garbage trucks to remove garbage and other refuse and dump loads at designated sites
  • Operate street cleaning equipment such as street sweepers or other vehicles equipped with rotating brushes to remove sand, litter and trash
  • Operate snowplows or trucks fitted with plow blades to remove snow from streets, highways, parking lots and similar areas
  • Operate sewer maintenance equipment such as rodders and sewer jet cleaners to maintain and repair sewer systems
  • Operate trucks equipped with apparatuses for spreading sand, salt or abrasives on roadways
  • Operate chainsaws and other clearing equipment to fell trees and cut back vegetation close to power lines
  • Check, lubricate, refuel and clean equipment and report any malfunctions to supervisor.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Bending or twisting the body
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Handling material manually
  • Sitting

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Private contractors under contract with government public works departments
  • Municipal, provincial and territorial, and federal public works departments

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Standard safety equipment
  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • In an enclosed vehicle or equipment
  • Hazardous equipment, machinery, tools
  • Sound and noise
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Extremely bright or inadequate lighting

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 74205), and a list of similar occupations:

  • garbage truck driver
  • municipal maintenance equipment operator
  • public works maintenance equipment operator
  • salt truck operator
  • sand spreader operator
  • sewer-flushing truck operator - public works
  • snow removal equipment operator - public works
  • street flusher operator
  • street sweeper operator
  • utility arborist

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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