The profession of a driver involves the management of rail transport. In most cases, these workers have irregular schedules, difficult working conditions, and physical and mental stress. At the same time, a positive aspect of the profession is the salary, which is much higher than that of other working specialties.
Since this is not an easy job, in most cases men are accepted for it. Before starting to perform the duties of a driver, an employee must undergo a medical examination, which checks the pressure, pulse, temperature and lack of alcohol in the blood. In addition, every couple of years, drivers should undergo a full examination. Depending on what type of transport the employee controls, he will have to perform different tasks.
Regulations and knowledge
The specialist appointed to this position is a worker and must receive secondary specialized education. Usually, employers require a minimum of one year of work experience as an assistant driver. In order to fulfill the duties of a machinist in a high-quality manner, an employee must have certain knowledge, including how the machines and mechanisms entrusted to him are arranged, how to properly operate, maintain and repair them.
He must learn the rules of the road for automatic control of transport and how to use them to perform tasks. The employee must know the norms of consumption of lubricants and combustible materials, standards and quality of work entrusted to him. He should get acquainted with the rules of fire safety, labor protection, internal regulations. He must also be able to use personal protective equipment and additional equipment necessary for the implementation of work.
The Machinist of a diesel locomotive
Driving this vehicle is the responsibility of the locomotive driver. He must adjust the speed taking into account the profile of the track and the weight of the train itself, observe the signals, the condition of the train and tracks, control the contact network, turnouts, instrument indicators and so on. The duties of the employee also include the organization and execution of shunting operations.
He is obliged to control the traction unit, check the reliability and correctness of its grip, and in case of malfunctions, eliminate them. If a fire breaks out in a diesel locomotive, the employee must evacuate passengers, notify the fire department about this and take measures to eliminate the fire sources. The employee in this situation must adhere to the instructions and rules.
Excavator driver
The development of rock masses and soil, their movement - these are the main responsibilities of the excavator driver. In addition, he must drive the vehicle, moving it around the work area, engage in debugging of its parts and running gears. This employee ensures the technologically correct development and efficient use of technology. He sorts the received materials depending on their grade and quality, immerses minerals in special vehicles for their further movement. The duties of the driver imply that this worker must clean the rails of the railway and all the equipment that is used in production from the rock.
It controls the current flow through the cable to the quarry and the presence of all grounding, refuel the equipment entrusted to it with fuel and lubricants, monitors the performance of the instrument’s instrumentation, the strength of the parts and the health of the equipment. In addition, the employee cleans the bucket of the excavator from the rock, participates in repair work, and serves the equipment entrusted to him. The employee must keep technical documentation and draw up reports on the work done for the bosses.
Locomotive driver
Control that the trains went exactly according to the schedule, the norm of the weight and length of the vehicle was observed, as well as the execution of all orders and instructions of the management and employees coordinating movement on the tracks, are the duties of the locomotive driver. The employee must check whether there are obstacles in the way, check and observe the signals of traffic lights and other signs, including adhering to the declared speed limit. If the locomotive passes through the station or crossing, the employee must give an appropriate sound signal and carefully check for obstacles in the way, so that, if any, stop the vehicle in a timely manner.
The employee must monitor the health of the locomotive, and if a malfunction is detected, notify the dispatcher of the nearest station. It is the duty of the train driver to reduce the speed of the vehicle if weather conditions do not allow normal traffic signs and traffic signals to be seen. It should ensure the operability of communication devices, tools and equipment, as well as safety equipment, and regulate the consumption of fuel and other materials. After completing the locomotive route, the employee must transfer all necessary documents and equipment to the duty depot.
Crane operator
The duties of the crane driver include the management of bridge, lock, tower, tracked and pneumatic-wheel equipment during unloading and loading of various materials. He must keep records of the materials being moved. The employee controls the cranes, which are equipped with radio control. This employee is also involved in monitoring the health of the equipment entrusted to him, and, if necessary, carries out repair work.
Electric locomotive driver
The duties of an electric locomotive driver include driving a vehicle during the rollback of trains. He must regulate the speed of movement of the train, taking into account the track profile and the weight of the cars, form trains, carry out maneuvers at exchange points and overpasses. One of the functions of this employee is to arrange wagons in places where materials will be unloaded and unloaded. Also, the employee is obliged to export goods, import empty wagons, and in some companies he is also responsible for delivering the organization’s employees to the place they perform their work.
The duties of the driver include coupling and uncoupling of electric locomotive cars, if they go off the rails, then he must install them again, and also remotely control the vehicle during loading and unloading of rock. The tasks of the employee include the translation of track arrows, the management of pushers, ventilation, winches and other mechanisms. This employee should also recharge batteries, replenish electrolyte reserves, equip equipment, and do mechanized whitewashing of workings. He must check the control mechanisms, running gears, and if faults are identified, eliminate them and carry out repair work.
Rights
Performing the duties of a driver, an employee has certain rights, including taking actions that will help to eliminate the violations and inconsistencies that have arisen. He also has the right to receive all social guarantees provided by the legislation of the country.
The driver has the right to demand from the authorities to assist in the performance of his functions, to create normal conditions for work, to receive all the necessary equipment, inventory and personal protective equipment. He can get acquainted with the decisions of the leadership, if they directly relate to his work, receive information and documents necessary to complete the tasks. He has the right to improve his qualification level.
Responsibility
The employee is responsible for the untimely performance of his functions or the complete abandonment of work. He can be held accountable for violation of the charter, rules and disclosure of confidential information about the company where he is employed. He is responsible for violation of the administrative, criminal or labor code, for causing the organization material damage. Employees can also be held accountable for using their powers for personal purposes and for exceeding their official rights.
Conclusion
The work of the driver is quite complicated, carries a serious physical and moral burden. Therefore, it is extremely rare for women to take up this position. The employee must be in good health, especially physical fitness, as well as vision. He must be able to concentrate, perform monotonous work, be attentive and responsible.
Depending on what kind of vehicle he needs to drive, job responsibilities change. In addition, the size of the company, the direction of its activities and other factors affect the content of the instruction. Before the employee begins to work, the job description with him must be agreed upon by management. Due to the complexity of the work, drivers have the right to retire five years earlier than representatives of other workers.