So, you are a construction manager and you are hiring machine operators. Now, a particularly tough spot for you is the excavator job. Handling work that complex requires only the best hands, and experience tells you that hiring a sub-par operator would be a costly mistake.
So, you wonder, what are those qualities that make a good operator? That’s what I’m here to help you with today. I’m going to walk you through :
- Why you need a good excavator operator
- The duties & responsibilities of an excavator operator?
- The qualifications of an excavator operator?
- The qualities of a good operator
- How much a good excavator operator makes per month/per year?
Without further ado, let’s begin with the first one
Why You Need A Good Excavator Operator
The main benefits of this would include :
Better maintenance of machinery
The best operator will ensure better maintenance of the excavator. This, in turn, will lead to money saved on extra repairs due to improper maintenance.
Higher Levels of Safety
OSHA defines a “competent person” as an individual, designated by the employer who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to workers, and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
It is essential that your excavator operator be a “competent person” so they can eliminate danger to lives and equipment.
The best operators have lots of on-site experience
The best operators have lots of on-site experience and are well-versed in the best operational procedures and they help save power and fuel through the use of the most efficient operating procedures.
The Duties & Responsibilities of An Excavator Operator :
The main duties of an operator include :
Perform routine maintenance and checks before beginning operations
This is essential so that the machines do not break down. Also, the excavator operator should be able to spot problems and maintenance issues while performing routine checks.
Dig holes and move dirt in specified construction locations
This is often the most regular task that an excavator operator is required to perform. They also dig trenches and sometimes transport industrial and raw materials.
Perform Minor Repairs
Sometimes an operator is required to perform minor repairs on the machine before beginning operations or after a minor breakdown. This is why a basic level of mechanical aptitude is required for the excavator operator job.
Follow all safety requirements
This is essential to protect lives and property on the construction site. Also, following safety regulations helps to reduce costs from repairs and possible lawsuits.
The Qualifications of an Excavator Operator :
There are a few basic qualifications that are required from the excavator operator job. Some of these will vary according to the employer :
High School Diploma or GED
This is the most common basic requirement that all employers are sure to ask for. Also, one must be 18 years and above to qualify to become an excavator operator
Commercial Driver’s License
In many cases, a commercial driver’s license is required to be able to move the excavator to the construction site.
Apprenticeship
This involves getting formal hands-on training from employers, government agencies, or other organizations. A popular quality apprenticeship program is offered by the International Union of Operational Engineers (IUOE)
NB: Some employers may require industry certification before hiring while some others might not. In general, getting industry certification is sure to boost one’s chances of getting hired.
The Qualities of a Good Operator :
The main qualities that make the best excavator operator include :
Good Machine Body Coordination :
What this means is that the operator must be able to coordinate his/her body (eye, hand, and foot) to work alongside the machine’s controls in response to the ongoing work.
Mechanical know-how
A good operator must have some decent basic level understanding of the mechanics of the excavator.
They must be able to spot some common problems that excavators run into and also know the appropriate response to prevent any further damage.
Further, they should be able to do routine maintenance on the excavator before beginning operations.
Ability to read digging plans and translate them into results
The operator must know exactly what the digging plans require from him and should be able to read the soil terrain well enough to be able to translate those plans into results.
Patience
Excavation work usually takes a fair bit of time to do well and any operator that isn’t patient enough to wait could run the risk of endangering someone’s life or damaging the machine and leading to costly repairs.
Good understanding of “Soil Terrains” and their impact on workflow
The experienced operator must know soil terrains well enough to identify conditions that will hamper workflow or even endanger lives and property if the work is to commence under those conditions.
Strict adherence to safety protocols
A bad boy excavator operator who disregards standard safety and other operating protocols will only do more harm than good.
Heavy equipment operations, especially those involving excavators, need a high-level commitment to standard safety protocols to ensure that lives and property are exposed to as little risk as possible.
Ability to train less skilled operators
Sometimes the on-site operations require more than one excavator operator.
An operator who can train other operators in the best working procedures can help save fuel and power and reduce the cost of repairs due to inefficiencies.
Good problem-solving skills
This will mostly come down to experience and as such, the more experienced an excavator operator is, the higher the person’s problem-solving skills.
Salary Of An Excavator Operator
The salary of an excavator operator generally depends on the level of experience of the excavator operator. It also varies from state to state, country to country, and employer to employer.
However, these are the average salaries of an excavator operator in 2021 :
| COUNTRY | AVERAGE SALARY (US$) (1-3 YRS EXPERIENCE) | AVERAGE SALARY (US$) (8 YRS EXPERIENCE) |
| 1. Dubai | 13,000 | 16,500 |
| 2. Singapore | 26,000 | 35,000 |
| 3. Australia | 35,000 | 47,000 |
| 4. Canada | 45,000 | 55,000 |
| 5. USA | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| 6. Kenya | 4,500 | 6,490 |
| 7. UK | 50,000 | 65,000 |
| 8. India | 2,500 | 14,500 |
| 9. Europe | 17,500 | 58,000 |
| 10. Nigeria | 4,000 | 7,500 |
| 11. Mexico | 5,900 | 10,000 |
| 12. Thailand | 7,500 | 12,600 |
