Block A – Common Occupational Skills

Trends

Technology is becoming more complex and being included as part of new equipment. Heavy equipment operators (TLB) are required to become more versatile in their skills and in the kinds of equipment they operate.

Related Components

All components apply.

Tools and Equipment

See Appendix A.

Task 1 Uses and maintains tools and equipment.

Context

This task involves the maintenance of hand tools, power tools, and measuring and testing equipment. It also includes the use of grade checking and tracking, rigging and lifting, and safety and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Required Knowledge

• K 1 capacity and configuration of rigging materials and hardware
• K 2 OH&S Acts, WHMIS, local and municipal legislation and regulations
• K 3 company policies and procedures
• K 4 types of tools and equipment required for specific tasks
• K 5 communication including hand signals and radio communication
• K 6 symbols used to identify potential hazards
• K 7 manufacturers’ specifications K 8 emergency preparedness such as first aid and working near water

Sub-task - A-1.01 Maintains hand and power tools.

Key Competencies

• A-1.01.01 clean hand tools to ensure optimum operation
• A-1.01.02 lubricate tools according to manufacturers’ specifications
• A-1.01.03 store tools in designated areas such as tool boxes or cabinets
• A-1.01.04 use tools for their intended purpose
• A-1.01.05 inspect tools for defects and take remedial action such as repairing, replacing, tagging and disposing

Sub-task - A-1.02 Maintains measuring and testing equipment.

Key Competencies

• A-1.02.01 clean and dry measuring and testing equipment before storing according to manufacturers’ specifications
• A-1.02.02 store measuring and testing equipment in a safe location according to company policy
• A-1.02.03 service measuring instruments according to manufacturers’ specifications
• A-1.02.04 verify calibration levels according to manufacturers’ specifications
• A-1.02.05 recharge laser levels and batteries at the end of each shift

Sub-task - A-1.03 Uses grade checking and tracking instruments.

Key Competencies

• A-1.03.01 verify calibration of equipment such as electronic equipment and laser levels before use at the beginning of each shift and throughout the shift
• A-1.03.02 verify that project data file being used corresponds to the project
• A-1.03.03 troubleshoot instruments for failures
• A-1.03.04 monitor and verify accuracy of the instruments
• A-1.03.05 install mobile signal receiver onto equipment and remove after use
• A-1.03.06 interpret measurement data on tracking instruments and make necessary adjustments or responses

Sub-task - A-1.04 Uses rigging and lifting equipment.

Key Competencies

• A-1.04.01 inspect lifting equipment for deficiencies or damage such as cuts, tears, wear and fraying before each use and according to manufacturers’ specifications
• A-1.04.02 maintain rigging and lifting equipment according to manufacturers’ specifications
• A-1.04.03 replace, tag or remove and dispose of rigging equipment as needed and according to manufacturers’ specifications
• A-1.04.04 determine weight of load to be lifted
• A-1.04.05 refer to load chart specifications to determine lifting capacity of the equipment
• A-1.04.06 select rigging materials and configuration suited to the hoisting task and check certification
• A-1.04.07 check rigging arrangement to ensure secure lifting
• A-1.04.08 use tag lines to guide loads
• A-1.04.09 respond to directions given by signal person

Sub-task - A-1.05 Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment.

Key Competencies

• A-1.05.01 wear PPE such as hard hats, safety boots, eye protection, reflective clothing and hearing protection according to site and company policies and safety regulations
• A-1.05.02 inspect and maintain PPE according to manufacturers’ specifications
• A-1.05.03 place or store PPE in a safe location when not in use to prevent damage
• A-1.05.04 store safety equipment such as fall protection equipment and gas monitors according to manufacturers’ specifications
• A-1.05.05 use safety equipment such as fall protection equipment, fire extinguishers and first aid kits according to manufacturers’ specifications and jurisdictional regulations

Task 2 Maintains safe work environment.

Context

This task involves assessing potential hazards, planning worksite safety strategies, securing unattended equipment, performing spill and sediment control procedures, and handling materials.

Communicating with others is vital to maintaining a safe work environment.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 good housekeeping practices
• K 2 contact information for local utilities
• K 3 OH&S Acts, WHMIS
• K 4 colour codes for utility markings and locates
• K 5 site and company policies and procedures
• K 6 procedures to control spills of hazardous materials
• K 7 environmental legislation and regulatory requirements
• K 8 safe handling of hazardous materials
• K 9 soil types and how they affect the approach to the job
• K 10 capabilities and limitations of different types of equipment

Sub-task - A-2.01 Assesses potential hazards.

Key Competencies

• A-2.01.01 review site plan and visually inspect the work area on a continual basis to identify potential hazards such as ground conditions, overhead hazards, proximity to obstructions, pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and manholes
• A-2.01.02 ensure locate sheet is provided and current
• A-2.01.03 identify the location of utilities
• A-2.01.04 identify and mark location of potential hazards such as manholes and water valves using tools such as cones, ribbons and stakes
• A-2.01.05 assess ground and environmental conditions such as rapidly changing weather to determine adverse effects on work location
• A-2.01.06 review demolition plan to become aware of hazards and surroundings
• A-2.01.07 inspect structure to avoid injury to co-workers and general public, or to prevent damage to surrounding property

Sub-task - A-2.02 Plans worksite safety strategies.

Key Competencies

• A-2.02.01 provide input into the emergency response plan (ERP)
• A-2.02.02 practice good housekeeping by ensuring work area is clear of hazards
• A-2.02.03 provide input into the location of garbage receptacles, fuel storage and temporary buildings
• A-2.02.04 provide input into the layout of worksite materials, such as bedding sand, pipes and excavated fill
• A-2.02.05 assess soil, ground and weather conditions to plan daily activities accordingly
• A-2.02.06 remove visual barriers and obstructions to ensure eye contact with others and intended path of travel is clear
• A-2.02.07 identify hazards related to soil stability such as potential cave in, and report to supervisor
• A-2.02.08 ensure underground utilities are verified and exposed according to government legislation and regulations

Sub-task - A-2.03 Secures unattended equipment.

Key Competencies

• A-2.03.01 perform post-operational inspection including locking doors, turning off and locking the master switch, and cycling hydraulics
• A-2.03.02 park on a level location wherever possible
• A-2.03.03 lower implements and attachments to the ground, apply park brakes, apply wheel chocks, engage lockouts, lock windows and doors, remove key from the ignition, and place guards on windows of unattended equipment
• A-2.03.04 affix lockout tags to equipment that has been removed from service
• A-2.03.05 store equipment and attachments in a designated location such as a building, compound, and fenced or delineated areas

Sub-task - A-2.04 Communicates with others.

Key Competencies

• A-2.04.01 participate in the documentation of potential hazards
• A-2.04.02 use pre-determined language and hand signals according to site and jurisdictional regulations
• A-2.04.03 use communication equipment such as cell or satellite phones, 2-way radios, and equipment horns for signalling
• A-2.04.04 use equipment to provide instruction for indicating dump location to other heavy equipment operators
• A-2.04.05 communicate with truck drivers for tasks such as unloading, loading and equipment placement
• A-2.04.06 signal driver that truck is loaded and ready to go
• A-2.04.07 mentor and provide instruction to apprentices or new personnel
• A-2.04.08 provide input to estimate materials such as aggregate or soil required to achieve specified elevations

Sub-task - A-2.05 Performs spill control procedures.

Key Competencies

• A-2.05.01 prioritize spill control measures for factors such as health, environment and clean up according to site specific spill control plan/procedures
• A-2.05.02 use spill kits to contain hazardous materials such as oil, fuel and antifreeze
• A-2.05.03 prevent contamination of manholes or waterways and other potentially affected areas using methods such as digging a trench or dyke, diverting and blocking
• A-2.05.04 use alternate methods or materials to contain spills, such as sawdust, sand, straw and plastic
• A-2.05.05 remove and dispose of contaminated material according to environmental regulations

Sub-task - A-2.06 Performs sediment control procedures.

Key Competencies

• A-2.06.01 assist in installing sediment control materials such as silt fences and blankets to protect surrounding vegetation and waterways
• A-2.06.02 seal up spoil piles to prevent erosion
• A-2.06.03 plan work to minimize damage to the environment caused by sedimentation
• A-2.06.04 perform operations away from riparian zones to avoid environmental damage

Sub-task - A-2.07 Handles materials.

Key Competencies

• A-2.07.01 use, store and dispose of materials such as oil, antifreeze, fuel and other materials that may influence environmental factors such as vegetation, insects, emissions, noise, animals and sun, in accordance with environmental legislation and regulations
• A-2.07.02 transport materials such as oil, antifreeze and fuel in accordance with Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations and WHMIS
• A-2.07.03 place construction materials such as excavated fill at a safe distance from excavation according to government regulations and legislation
• A-2.07.04 load material onto, and unload material from barges according to best practices and regulations

Task 3 Organizes work.

Context

This task includes the use of documentation such as time sheets, inspection checklists, health and safety forms, reporting forms and log books. It also includes interpreting survey indicators and data as well as determining method of approach.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 metric and imperial measurement systems
• K 2 basic abbreviations and symbols used in survey markings
• K 3 construction drawing (blueprint) reading
• K 4 equipment capabilities and limitations
• K 5 expressions of slope and grade
• K 6 colour codes for utility markings and locates

Sub-task - A-3.01 Checks grade.

Key Competencies

• A-3.01.01 use grade checking devices such as GPS, laser, batter boards and string line to check and verify correct grade is achieved
• A-3.01.02 attach string line to survey stakes from the markings on the survey stakes and use a line level and measuring tape to check grade
• A-3.01.03 create reference points on the equipment to assist in obtaining the desired grade
• A-3.01.04 express slopes using percent, ratio and degree

Sub-task - A-3.02 Uses documentation.

Key Competencies

• A-3.02.01 complete forms such as time sheets, pre- and post-operational inspection checklists, health and safety forms, logbooks, injury, illness or incident reporting forms, work orders and hazard analysis reports
• A-3.02.02 read and interpret documents such as maps, drawings, memos, charts, labels, locate sheets, MSDS and motor vehicle act
• A-3.02.03 draw sketches to clarify job tasks

Sub-task - A-3.03 Interprets survey indicators and data.

Key Competencies

• A-3.03.01 clarify abbreviations and symbols by consulting with surveyors or supervisor
• A-3.03.02 identify markings on survey indicators such as survey stakes, benchmarks and hubs
• A-3.03.03 set up survey stakes as offsets for excavation lines and gridlines
• A-3.03.04 verify survey data such as grade elevation and location to ensure accuracy of data
• A-3.03.05 notify immediate supervisor of inaccuracies or inconsistencies of survey data such as in GPS coordinates and elevations

Sub-task - A-3.04 Determines method of approach.

Key Competencies

• A-3.04.01 use information from drawings and plans to assess method of approach
• A-3.04.02 assess underground and overhead obstacles such as building protrusions, roof overhangs, overhead power lines, snow, bridges and overpasses, and determine if an alternate approach is plausible or needed
• A-3.04.03 provide assistance with gathering historical or anecdotal information, and as-built records from local authorities for undocumented conditions
• A-3.04.04 adapt operation based on site conditions and environmental information such as proximity to waterways, soil conditions and weather conditions
• A-3.04.05 adapt operation based on equipment capability, limitations and availability
• A-3.04.06 adapt operation based on number and types of equipment onsite
• A-3.04.07 assess site conditions for haulage equipment