Bulldozer Operators

Bulldozer operators and other equipment operators work in the construction industry. Bull dozer operators work with tractor type equipment called bull dozers and are contracted for various duties such as site work, excavation, and debris collection and movement. Many managers require that their operators have completed a training course to ensure that the operator is properly trained for the position. Courses are available for bulldozer and other equipment operators through the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools, also called the NAHETS. Bulldozer operators clear and grade the land to prep the site for construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures. Bulldozers can also be used for the movement and installation of materials throughout a jobsite. Other equipment operators use heavy machinery such as backhoes and excavators to install utilities such as water pipes and underground electrical power lines.

Bulldozer operators are responsible for maintaining the vehicle that they operate. Maintenance of these vehicles includes oil changes, fluid maintenance, and part replacements. Bulldozers these days are a lot more complex than those from the past. Global positioning systems and digital controls are now integrated into these machines for better job accuracy and efficiency. Modern day bulldozers also have larger engines, better drive trains, track systems, and more comfortable cabins that can sometimes include perks such as air-conditioning and heating systems. The hydraulic systems on bulldozers have improved tremendously over the years as well causing less breakdowns and lighter maintenance schedules. Manufacturers that build and sell bulldozers include Caterpillar, John Deere, and Komatsu.

Unfortunately, bulldozer operators can be exposed to asbestos in multiple ways. The first method of exposure can exist from working on the machinery itself. Before the dangers of asbestos were well-known, asbestos was used in many vehicle parts for its high-heat resistance properties as well as its insulation capabilities. A bulldozer and heavy equipment operator could have been exposed to asbestos, the contaminant causing mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, by performing maintenance work on the vehicle. The asbestos containing material could be disturbed when the operator would work on these parts. This could potentially cause asbestos fibers to be released into the air and inhaled by the operator. A bulldozer operator from North Carolina was unfortunately exposed to asbestos when performing maintenance work on a bulldozer that was built with asbestos containing parts. A San Francisco jury awarded this man over $2 million dollars in damages for his exposure. The jury also held that the manufacturer of the bulldozer was partially responsible for this exposure due to the fact the manufacturer failed to warn operators and equipment owners that these asbestos containing parts were used in its equipment.

Another method of exposure to asbestos by a bulldozer operator could potentially have come from the materials and debris on the job-site as well. Many materials used in the construction of buildings and other structures also contained asbestos. As the bulldozer operator would move these parts around the job site for either installation or removal, asbestos dust could be formed and inhaled by the unsuspecting operator.

The lifespan of heavy machinery such as bulldozers and backhoes can be substantially long. Therefore, legacy equipment that was originally built with asbestos containing products could potentially still be in operation today. With the large construction boom that was experienced in this country recently, it is important that bulldozer and other equipment operators are aware that the machines that they earn their livelihood with could potentially harm them. Therefore, it is imperative that these operators use the proper cautions and safety measures when performing maintenance on these vehicles. It is also very important for operators to be aware of the type of materials that are being moved or installed on a job site. If there is a possibility of asbestos in these materials, an operator must make sure to protect him or herself against being exposed to asbestos. Keefe Bartels Clark is located in the Northeast portion of the United States and construction in the tri-state area including New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania has been booming for years. Bulldozer and heavy equipment operators in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania must be aware of the dangers of asbestos products and the potential of exposure when working on their machinery and job site.