Job description Power Shovel Operator in the North Region

Find out what work is like for a power shovel operator in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (NOC 73400).

Heavy equipment operators

Description

Heavy equipment operators operate heavy equipment used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures; in surface mining and quarrying activities; and in material handling work. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments and pipeline, logging, cargo-handling and other companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Work week duration

Heavy equipment operators usually work more than 40 hours per week.
More than 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Heavy equipment operators have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Operate heavy equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, loaders and graders to excavate, move, load and grade earth, rock, gravel or other materials during construction and related activities
  • Operate bulldozers or other heavy equipment to clear brush and stumps prior to logging activities and to build roads at logging and surface mining sites
  • Operate heavy equipment with pile driver head to drive piling into earth to provide support for buildings, bridges or other structures
  • Operate heavy dredging equipment to deepen waterways or reclaim earth fill
  • Operate heavy paving and surfacing equipment to lay, spread or compact concrete, asphalt and other surface materials during highway and road construction
  • Operate power shovels to excavate rock, ore or other materials from open-pit mines, strip mines, quarries or construction pits
  • Operate heavy equipment to move, load and unload cargo
  • Conduct pre-operational checks on equipment and clean, lubricate and refill equipment.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

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

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 Heavy equipment operators are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Construction companies
  • Pipeline, logging and cargo handling companies
  • Heavy equipment contractors
  • Public works departments

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

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

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 73400), and a list of similar occupations:

  • backhoe operator
  • bulldozer operator
  • excavator operator
  • gradall operator
  • grader operator
  • heavy equipment operator
  • heavy equipment operator apprentice
  • loader operator - construction
  • side boom tractor operator
  • surface mining equipment operator

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Heavy equipment operators 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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