What do I need to operate a digger truck?

One of the most amazing three-in-one machines of the century is the excavator derrick truck. This is a very versatile piece of equipment because trucks have three different uses: drilling holes, lifting heavy objects, and lifting workers to different heights. Therefore, it combines the functions of an auger drill, mobile crane, and bucket truck into one powerful vehicle. For this reason, it is not permitted to operate this huge machine without a special license to ensure the safety of both the driver and those near the equipment. In addition to having the correct license, you must comply with all the rules established by the state and federal governments, and the company itself.

Driving qualification

The excavator derrick is more complex to operate than a regular hydraulic boom truck and is too dangerous for an untrained person to drive, so the driver should be properly trained before operating this vehicle. , You need to participate in an appropriate education program. .. For this reason, OSHA and ANSI have created a compliant training program on safe operating procedures. This discipline encourages each driver to read, understand and adhere to the guidelines contained in the manual for procedures and tasks related to foreseeable and unforeseen hazards. The driver’s skillful actions in preparation for the use of this vehicle will help prevent the occurrence of serious occupational accidents.

Actual assessments after the training program is complete may include safety guidelines, OSHA regulations, unit inspections, correct driving on the highway, handling materials, and load bearing. Students also need to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom and “on-the-job training” to perform physical road assessments. Those who pass both exams will be certified.

driver’s license

If your vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive the excavator derrick, but if your truck has a GVWR of less than 26,000 pounds, you do not need a CDL. It is legal to drive a vehicle. As mentioned above, the driver must take a written and practical test in order to obtain a license. The licensing program begins with theoretical instruction in the classroom with the goal of passing a practical evaluation to obtain a CDL permit. This permission allows students to operate the equipment during the training class.

A Class “A” CDL will be issued once the student has acquired sufficient training to handle the machine safely and comfortably.

Rules and rules

Due to the high number of accidents that occur while the excavator is in operation, OSHA has published new guidelines for handling derricks. The new rules include a requirement that all operators must be certified to drive these vehicles. In short, drivers must not only be trained, but also certified. The employer must send the employee to a third party training facility for certification. Compliance with OSHA safety standards ensures that both employers and employees remain safe during their duties.

Certain qualifications are required to drive a mobile machine with an auger drill. This is not a simple machine that can be run without any experience. It takes months of training to operate these vehicles. A Class “A” commercial driver’s license and compliance with all state and federal rules and regulations are required. All of these must be observed in order to prioritize safety. It’s all part of what you need to operate a digging truck!