Profession pile driving hammer operator

Pile driving hammer operators work with a piece of heavy equipment that positions piles and hammers them into the ground using a rigging mechanism.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional
• Realistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Crane load charts

  Understand crane load charts which detail the features of the crane and how its lift capacity varies depending on distance and angle.

• Mechanical systems

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

• Mechanical tools

  Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

• Drive concrete piles

  Use any of various types of pile drivers to drive piles made of concrete into the ground for structure stabilisation purposes. Take care to position the pile and pile driver correctly and apply the correct amount of force to drive the pile while preventing damage and physical stresses.

• Keep heavy construction equipment in good condition

  Inspect heavy equipment for construction projects before each use. Maintain the machine in good working order, taking care of small repairs and alerting the responsible person in case of serious defects.

• Follow health and safety procedures in construction

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

• Secure heavy construction equipment

  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 retracting the robotic arm of concrete pumps or bringing the hook block back to the jib.

• Inspect construction sites

  Ensure health and safety during the construction project by inspecting the construction site regularly. Identify risks of putting people in danger or of damaging construction equipment.

• Prevent damage to utility infrastructure

  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.

• Set up pile helmets or sleeves

  Attach a helmet or sleeve to a pile, in order to protect the head of the pile from stresses and impact damage and to efficiently transfer the impact energy of the pile driver to the pile. Take care to not attach the helmet or sleeve too tightly, as this may cause damage. In case the helmet contains a replaceable plastic cushion, select and place the right cushion for the job.

• Drive steel piles

  Use any of various types of pile drivers to drive piles made of steel into the ground for structure stabilisation purposes. Take care to position the pile and pile driver correctly and apply the correct amount of force to drive the pile while preventing damage and physical stresses.

• React to events in time-critical environments

  Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.

• Use safety equipment in construction

  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 an accident does occur.

• Work ergonomically

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

• Operate pile driver hammer

  Operate a pile driver that drives piles into the ground using a hammering motion. Work with diesel pile driver hammers and hydraulic pile drivers, which are quieter and more appropriate to areas sensitive to loud noise or vibrations.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB