What Do Load Haul Dump Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Load Haul Dump Operators operate underground loading machine to load coal, ore, or rock into shuttle or mine car or onto conveyors. Loading equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor. They also pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.

Other tasks include:

• Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
• Stop gathering arms when cars are full.
• Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
• Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.
• Advance machines to gather material and convey it into cars.
• Start conveyor booms and gathering-arm motors, and operate winches to position cars under boom conveyors for loading.

We asked Load Haul Dump Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Load Haul Dump Operators stop gathering arms when cars are full. They advance machines to gather material and convey it into cars.

A typical day for an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator will also include:

• Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.
• Start conveyor booms and gathering-arm motors, and operate winches to position cars under boom conveyors for loading.
• Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.
• Inspect boarding and locking of open-top box cars and wedging of side-drop and hopper cars to prevent loss of material in transit.
• Signal workers to move loaded cars.

We asked some Load Haul Dump Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Load Haul Dump Operators also oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment. They may also replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Load Haul Dump Operators Estimate and record amounts of material in bins. They might also Inspect boarding and locking of open-top box cars and wedging of side-drop and hopper cars to prevent loss of material in transit.

In addition, they Notify switching departments to deliver specific types of cars.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Clean hoppers, and clean spillage from tracks, walks, driveways, and conveyor decking.

To some Load Haul Dump Operators, it is also their responsibility to Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Underground Mining Loading Machine Operator, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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