What Are the Duties of an Operating Engineer?

An operating engineer is a skilled professional who is responsible for moving elements, such as rocks and gravel, from the earth for the purpose of construction, industrial intents and thermal stations. He mainly works outside and handles heavy equipment, as well as attains management and repair duties for his machinery.

Operate Equipment

An operating engineer is responsible in operating machinery, such as cranes, road graders and bulldozers, for the purpose of lifting and moving heavy materials. Principally utilized on construction projects, an operating engineer handles all aspects of the machinery, including its engines, throttles, levers, pumps, shovels, steam turbines, air conditioning systems and motor graders.

Moves Materials

An operating engineer drives and maneuvers machinery for the purpose of loading and moving dirt, rocks, vegetation and other materials. This can also involve pouring concrete and cement, leveling terrain and moving steel.

Turns Valves

An operating engineer turns a machinery's valves, compressors and pumps to ensure the control and release of air and water. He also adjusts hand wheels and depress pedals, which control driving and blade, bucket and swing boom attachments.

Repairs Equipment

Operating engineers are also responsible for repairing faulty equipment. As part of an operating engineer's certificate, operating engineers learn how to repair all types of equipment, such as tractors, bulldozers and cranes.

Manage Equipment

An operating engineer is responsible for the management and maintenance of her equipment to ensure that it runs properly. This can involve performing routine maintenance tests to ensure automated and computerized systems are performing safely and properly.

Maintain Industrial Plant

In some large companies, an operating engineer may be responsible for overseeing a plant where equipment is held. Generally given to a senior operating engineer, duties involve managing, operating and monitoring all aspects of a plant and its control systems, such as controlling boilers and checking machinery by testing its computerized systems, as well as performing trial runs by actually operating machinery.

Resources

• Operating Engineers Information Website
• Operating Engineers