4 answers
jaylin
Student
Edinburgh, Indiana
3
Questions
Asked
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what are three important things I need to know about this job.
#heavy equipment operation
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4 answers
Jeff Hinkeldey
Heavy Equipment Operator
11
Answers
Omaha, Nebraska
Updated
Jeff’s Answer
Hi. My name is Jeff. 1 - Saftey is always No.1 no matter what.
2 - Get your OSHA 10 Card
3 - Get your OSHA 30 Card
4 - Get your OSHA Excavations Card
Check the market put for pay.
Do the best you can.
2 - Get your OSHA 10 Card
3 - Get your OSHA 30 Card
4 - Get your OSHA Excavations Card
Jeff recommends the following next steps:
Gregory MacClean
Heavy Equipment Operator III
1
Answer
Palmdale, California
Updated
Gregory’s Answer
Foremost is safety. You show up for work healthy and safe, you also want to go home in the same manner. That applies to how you are able to operate with your coworkers as well. You will work in a Team environment and the way you operate the equipment in your working environment will determine if you are going to be a safety concern to yourself and others. A lot of the equipment out there is quite large, with blind spots, quick reactions to the controls, and dangerous situations that you'll find yourself in depending on the project you are working on. Safety always going to be the first and foremost concern for any employer and employee.
Be dependable. It is important to be on time every day. You'll need time to gather everything you'll need to start the day such as boots, safety vest, safety glasses, gloves,container with water, maybe your lunch box, etc. You need to have all this ready before it's time to begin your shift. I would show up 30 minutes to an hour early every day. That demonstrated my ambition and readiness to work. At times my employer would start me early, knowing I would be ready in the parking area, to help out if someone else didn't show up or if an issue came up that needed my services.
Be observant. What helped me to advance in this field was my ability to observe the operators with more skill and time in this career and be able to apply it to what I was required to do with the various pieces of equipment. We all will develop differently, being able to operate one type of equipment better than the others. That O.K., but your value to a company increases if you can show flexibility with your skill set, the ability to operate a variety of equipment efficiently and safely. Nothing is more frustrating for a supervisor than having to have a task performed more than once.
Income. This all depends on several factors. Union verses non-union, government set wage classifications, your skill level and ability to operate a variety of equipment. The area you work in. Some area pay more than others based on the cost of living. You have to be flexible in the beginning. The more time you put in safely and gain skill the more you'll be able to neigotiate.
Be dependable. It is important to be on time every day. You'll need time to gather everything you'll need to start the day such as boots, safety vest, safety glasses, gloves,container with water, maybe your lunch box, etc. You need to have all this ready before it's time to begin your shift. I would show up 30 minutes to an hour early every day. That demonstrated my ambition and readiness to work. At times my employer would start me early, knowing I would be ready in the parking area, to help out if someone else didn't show up or if an issue came up that needed my services.
Be observant. What helped me to advance in this field was my ability to observe the operators with more skill and time in this career and be able to apply it to what I was required to do with the various pieces of equipment. We all will develop differently, being able to operate one type of equipment better than the others. That O.K., but your value to a company increases if you can show flexibility with your skill set, the ability to operate a variety of equipment efficiently and safely. Nothing is more frustrating for a supervisor than having to have a task performed more than once.
Gregory recommends the following next steps:
I appreciate reading what you have posted.
I try my best to follow this rule every day at work and even though there has been times that it’s hard to see in front, behind or below.
I try to get someone to help me out.
It’s better to have 4 eyes, 4 ears and 2 brains then one.
Steve "Kalani" Davis
Saul M Ventura
Heavy equipment operator
1
Answer
Norfolk, Virginia
Updated
Saul M’s Answer
I'd say you have to consider the market so you can better understand the pay rates of your area.
2. Discovery what you like doing and become the best at it you can possibly be. That'll open doors.
3. Health and safety training and earthwork related courses are a must. That way you can not only increase your knowledge but also be able to operate under safety guidelines which is a must have. A lot of operator overlook this.
2. Discovery what you like doing and become the best at it you can possibly be. That'll open doors.
3. Health and safety training and earthwork related courses are a must. That way you can not only increase your knowledge but also be able to operate under safety guidelines which is a must have. A lot of operator overlook this.
Steve "Kalani" Davis
Heavy Equipment Operator
1
Answer
Wahiawa, Hawaii
Updated
Steve "Kalani"’s Answer
That is why as a Union Heavy Equipment Operator, we have to go though some vigorous training and Safety Guide Lines.
Don’t think that you are less of an Operator by going back into some refresher course.
Sometimes you can learn how to sharpen your skills.
Don’t think that you are less of an Operator by going back into some refresher course.
Sometimes you can learn how to sharpen your skills.