Operating Engineers / Heavy Equipment Operators

An Operating Engineer or Heavy Equipment Operator drives and operates heavy equipment used in quarries, construction sites, landfills, refuse and recycling centers, or ports. Heavy Equipment may include, but is not limited to, bulldozers, excavators, paving equipment and pile drivers.

About this Career

Average Salary

£48,349

New workers start at around £21,474. Normal pay is £48,349 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to £76,206

Annual Openings

11

Job counts include both employed and self-employed persons in London, and do not distinguish between full and part-time jobs

Daily Tasks

  • Checks loading of tubs and carriages, and informs driver of load distribution and any special features of route.
  • Assists drivers in the operation of diesel, diesel-electric, electric and steam locomotives.
  • Examines shunting instructions, uncouples wagons and coaches, guides movement of carriages using manual points and wagon breaks, links-up carriages, ensures security of couplings and reconnects brake and heating systems.
  • Operates signals and opens and closes barriers at level crossings as required.
  • Examines schedules and decides priority of movement of trains, monitors movement of trains and issues instructions to drivers, signal operatives and level crossing keepers.
  • Provides crews for breakdown trains, allocates relief and replacement crews as necessary, keeps crews informed of any line repairs or restrictions, and checks train running times for punctuality.

Skills Employers are looking for

Skills Importance
Active Listening 61%
Reading Comprehension 60%
Critical Thinking 58%
Speaking 55%
Active Learning 52%
Learning Strategies 49%
Monitoring 46%
Writing 42%
Mathematics 36%
Science 16%

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