Excavating and Loading Machine Operators
On the Job
Excavating and Loading Machine Operators run machines with scoops, shovels, or buckets, to remove and load material.
Physical Demands 
This career requires good eyesight and good hearing.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Operate excavation equipment.
- Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
- Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
- Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
- Clean facilities or work areas.
- Move materials, equipment, or supplies.
- Shovel materials.
- Maintain material moving equipment in good working condition.
- Measure product or material dimensions.
- Verify information or specifications.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Working with a group or team.
- Exposure to whole body vibration.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Working outdoors exposed to weather.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- The freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.
- A work pace that is determined by the speed of equipment.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 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.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
