{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:38:49.592Z","occupation":{"soc":"47-5022.00","title":"Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining","group":"Construction & Extraction","sector":"23","jobZone":2,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers competencies for operating excavating, loading, and dragline machines in surface mining environments, from entry-level machine familiarization through organizational leadership of extraction operations.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Machine controls including levers, foot pedals, and dials — identify and operate under direct supervision on a surface mining site.","Pre-operation equipment inspection — perform basic walkaround checks following a printed checklist before each shift.","Digging plans and operator manuals — read and ask clarifying questions to become familiar with machine capabilities and site-specific procedures.","Hand signals and grade stakes — recognize and respond to standard signals while operating equipment under close supervisor guidance.","Written and oral work instructions — receive, repeat back, and follow directions for material movement or excavation tasks.","Power shovel or backhoe controls — practice coordinated multilimb inputs in low-risk areas of the mine under trainer observation.","Short-distance material movement — move spoil or aggregate around a designated work zone with spotter assistance.","Workplace hazard awareness — identify and report unsafe ground conditions, berm failures, or equipment faults to a supervisor.","Basic mechanical vocabulary — use correct terminology when describing equipment components or malfunctions during shift handoffs.","Personal protective equipment and site entry protocols — apply consistently before boarding any machine or entering the work area."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Power shovels, scraper loaders, and backhoes — operate routinely with reduced oversight to meet daily production targets on a surface mine bench.","Pre-shift and post-shift equipment inspections — complete independently, document findings, and flag maintenance needs using site reporting forms.","Digging plan specifications — read and interpret grade stakes and survey markings to excavate to specified depth and grade without constant supervision.","Backfilling, rock breaking, and incline shaping — perform varied excavation activities adapting technique to soil and rock conditions encountered.","Operator-level troubleshooting — identify common hydraulic, track, or bucket issues and coordinate with maintenance crew for timely repairs.","Oral and written work orders — interpret and prioritize multiple instructions across a shift to maintain efficient material flow on site.","Ramp and incline construction — grade and maintain haul-road ramps to safe slope specifications using machine blade or bucket.","Production monitoring — track cycle times and observe equipment performance indicators to sustain consistent output during a standard shift.","Coordination with haul truck operators — time loading sequences and spot trucks efficiently to minimize wait time and maximize payload.","Winter road construction — operate machinery to compact or blade frozen-ground roads following cold-weather operational procedures."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Full equipment fleet including draglines and stripping shovels — operate autonomously across varied surface mining conditions and non-routine ground challenges.","Complex digging plans and cut sequences — analyze and execute multi-bench excavation strategies adjusting for unexpected rock, water, or utility conflicts.","Non-routine mechanical faults — diagnose and resolve equipment malfunctions in the field using mechanical knowledge and industrial control software diagnostics.","Grade and volume accuracy — achieve tight cut tolerances independently, cross-checking machine position against grade stakes and survey data without supervision.","Hazard recognition and response — identify slope instability, equipment overload, or site flooding in real time and take corrective action without prompting.","Equipment selection for task conditions — evaluate soil, rock type, and production requirements to recommend the most efficient machine configuration or attachment.","Shift documentation and reporting — record production volumes, fuel consumption, and incident data accurately using spreadsheet or office suite software.","Training of entry-level operators — demonstrate safe machine operation techniques and mentor new hires through hands-on coaching during live production shifts.","Coordination across disciplines — communicate excavation progress and schedule impacts clearly with surveyors, blasting crews, and site supervisors.","Regulatory and environmental compliance — apply mining permit conditions and environmental controls during excavation to protect groundwater and slope stability."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Site-wide excavation strategy — develop and communicate multi-phase digging sequences that optimize production, safety, and cost across the entire surface mine operation.","Operator competency standards — design and implement a structured on-the-job training program that advances workers from entry level to proficient across all machine types.","Equipment fleet planning — evaluate machine capabilities, maintenance cycles, and production demands to recommend procurement or retirement decisions to mine management.","Safety culture leadership — establish pre-shift briefing standards, hazard reporting systems, and corrective-action protocols adopted across the extraction workforce.","Production performance analysis — use operational data from industrial control and spreadsheet software to identify efficiency gaps and drive measurable improvement.","Cross-departmental coordination — align excavation schedules with blasting, hauling, and reclamation teams to eliminate bottlenecks at an organizational level.","Regulatory liaison — represent the operation in discussions with mining safety inspectors, translating compliance requirements into workable site procedures.","Incident investigation and root cause analysis — lead post-incident reviews for equipment damage or near-miss events, producing findings that reshape operational policy.","Mentorship of developing supervisors — coach lead operators and shift supervisors in decision-making, team communication, and stress management on active mine sites.","Continuous improvement initiatives — pilot new operating techniques, attachment technologies, or haul-road designs and present results to senior leadership for adoption."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}