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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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73400.00 – Heavy equipment operators

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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Overview

Example job titles

  • 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

Core competencies

  • Multi-Limb Coordination to simultaneously control multiple components of heavy machinery such as steering, operating attachments, adjusting speed and managing load
  • Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment to continuously assess and diagnosing machinery performance, identifying operational issues and making real-time adjustments to optimize functionality and prevent malfunctions
  • Operation and Control to efficiently manoeuvre and control complex machinery, including precise adjustments, load management and equipment coordination, ensuring safety and productivity in diverse operational environments
  • Multi-Signal Response to interpret and respond to multiple signals simultaneously, especially in busy work environments where there may be communication from colleagues or signals from equipment indicators
  • Attention to Detail to detect any signs of malfunction or abnormal operation, by closely monitoring equipment controls, gauges and different indicators
  • Knowledge in Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations to understand operating, maintaining and troubleshooting a wide range of complex heavy equipment, for precise and efficient control under varying conditions, with advanced knowledge of safety protocols

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • 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.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

73 – General trades

Sub-major group

734 – Operators, drillers and blasters

Minor group

7340 – Operators, drillers and blasters

Unit group

73400 – Heavy equipment operators

Occupational profile

73400.00 – Heavy equipment operators

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.