Dredge Operator Drivers & Mobile Plant Operators

Mechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.

The configuration of different types of dredging consoles. How the functions of the dredge are mapped to the console.

Set up and operate equipment to collect water, gas or soil samples for testing.

Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

Consult utility companies or plans on the location of any utility infrastructure that may interfere with a project or be damaged by it. Take the necessary steps to avoid damage.

Employ rigging tools such as cables, ropes, pulleys and winches to safely secure high structures.

Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if …

Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

Keep the dredging equipment in good condition. Regularly inspect suction elements, pumps, cables, cutterheads and other elements and take the necessary steps to repair any damage or wear.

Measure the depths of a body of water by using depth measuring equipment such as a depth gauge.

Communicate with the captain or mate to move the dredge into the right position to commence the dredging operation.

The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.

Thoroughly understand the characteristics of soil in relation to analysing the deformations of fluids within soil that supports man-made structures.

The maximum load capacity of the operated piece of machinery, under different circumstances and in different positions and movements. Passive load capacity and active load capacity, which is measure while …

File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.

Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

Operate excavators used to dig materials from the surface and load them onto dump trucks.

Use GPS Systems.

Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.

Secure heavy equipment such as tower cranes or concrete pumps before, during, and after use to prevent damage to the machines, workforce or construction site. Take precautionary steps such as …

Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.

Clear pipelines by pumping water or other substances through them, or wash the pipelines manually or using suitable machinery.

Manoeuvre the cutterheads of a cutter dredge. Choose the correct cutterhead equipment and lower the cutterheads to commence dredging. Raise the cutterhead to avoid obstacles or to end the dredging …

Control the suction booms, which contains the suction hose that the dredged materials are evacuated through. Raise and lower the suction booms to start and end the operation, or to …

Assist the responsible person in the positioning of box anchors and shore anchors.

Operate a bucket wheel excavator, a giant piece of mining machinery that uses a wheel or a chain equipped with buckets to scrape away material from the surface, then load …

Lower and raise the anchor poles, or spuds, of a dredge vessel. Determine the desired position of the spuds and release them. Hoist the spuds back up to change the …

Replace the teeth of a dredging cutterhead when the teeth are worn out or when another type is needed.