The Machine Head

The fast and the fearless

Almost all construction projects use machinery and every machine, large or small, needs highly skilled people to make sure it’s ready for safe use. Machine heads are just the people for the job.

Whether it’s a crane sitting 1,000 feet in the air or a 1,000 tonne machine tunnelling an underground railway, a machine heads fearlessness and focused attitude keeps the whole operation running smoothly.

Machine heads often:                Work at heights
Use big machinery
Are an expert at one specific type of machinery
Carry out safety checks and overlooking general maintenance
Are outside based
Give clear directions
Possess excellent hand-eye coordination

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People are more difficult to work with than machines. And when you break a person, he can't be fixed."

– Rick Riordan, The Battle of the Labyrinth

Roles

Crane operator

Salaries are in the region of £35,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Crane operators are responsible for lifting and moving materials around a construction site as safely and efficiently as possible. As a crane driver you’d need to be practically-minded, with an understanding of how to drive and maintain heavy machinery.
Crane supervisor

Salaries are in the region of £40,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

A crane supervisor is responsible for overseeing the movement of all lifting operations on a construction site to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the team.
Diamond drilling operative

Salaries are in the region of £30,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Diamond drilling operatives use specialist equipment to cut through the toughest materials on a building site, such as reinforced concrete. They could be called in to remove sections of roads or pavements, assist with demolitions or dismantle towers and bridges, whilst following strict health and safety guidelines.
Forklift driver

Salaries are in the region of £30,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

A forklift driver is responsible for delivering, moving, loading and unloading a variety of goods in warehouses and on construction sites.
HGV driver

Salaries are in the region of £40,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers transport goods between locations. They move items for suppliers and customers, locally, nationally and internationally. As a lorry driver, you will spend a lot of time on the road and could be away from home frequently. You’ll plan delivery schedules and ensure that loads are delivered on time to the correct locations.
Lifting equipment inspector

Salaries are in the region of £30,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

A lifting equipment inspector carries out vital checks to ensure that equipment and machinery used for lifting is in working order, so construction projects can be carried out in line with strict health and safety guidelines. If equipment is found to need repairs, they will carry out this work, or recommend a more qualified engineer for the job.
Lifting equipment operator

Salaries are in the region of £40,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Lifting equipment operators use machinery such as cherry pickers, forklift trucks, scissor lifts, suspension equipment, telehandlers, and suspension equipment to lift and hoist heavy loads.
Plant and mechanical engineer

Salaries are in the region of £50,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

As a plant and mechanical engineer, you will inspect, design, install, or repair machinery and equipment to ensure it is well maintained, working safely and running smoothly.
Plant manager

Salaries are in the region of £50,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Plant managers are responsible for all of the heavy machinery used on a construction site. They are responsible for creating reports and keeping records documenting all operations on the site.
Plant mechanic

Salaries are in the region of £30,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Plant mechanics repair and maintain heavy construction machinery so that projects can be completed efficiently and safely. As a plant mechanic, you’d conduct regular inspections on dumpers, excavators, cranes and more. You’d need a good understanding of how each machine works, and be able to repair them on-site or access replacement parts quickly.
Plant operator

Salaries are in the region of £35,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Plant operators use heavy machinery to dig, lift and move materials on building sites. They can dramatically change landscapes or install impressive structures in a short time. Plant operators usually specialise in one type of equipment, such as an excavator or giant crane, and need good spatial awareness to move large scale machinery.
Rail engineering manager

Salaries are in the region of £70,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

A rail engineering manager is responsible for leading and implementing engineering design work for rail projects. They assess the skills and specifications required, and then oversee business operations to ensure that project briefs are followed and implemented accurately.
Shunter driver

Salaries are in the region of £35,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

A shunter driver is responsible for the safe movement of vehicles on construction sites. This could include large goods vehicles (LGVs) or trailer units, and can involve manoeuvring goods around site, into storage or loading bays, or to be picked up by other workers.
Traffic safety and control officer

Salaries are in the region of £50,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

A traffic safety and control officer (TSCO) is involved with making important decisions on how best to control traffic management. This could include situations such as traffic incidents, planned roadworks, big events or new developments.
Traffic technical officer

Salaries are in the region of £30,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Traffic technical officers guide traffic management processes and road safety improvements. As a traffic technical officer you would work as part of the team responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient management of traffic signal networks across the country.
Transport manager

Salaries are in the region of £60,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Transport managers are responsible for directing, coordinating, planning and overseeing tasks and operations within an organisation involving transportation activities. They are required to ensure the legal requirements for road haulage are met.
Transport modeller

Salaries are in the region of £60,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Transport modellers use specialist computer software to design and develop transport routes. As a transport modeller, you could design how new road installations link to existing transport systems. You could be designing one-way systems or diversions, while other roads are being repaired, or planning transport systems ahead of large events, such as festivals or protests.
Wind turbine engineer

Salaries are in the region of £80,000.00. Salaries will vary depending on location/employer

Wind turbine engineers research, design and oversee the build of onshore and offshore wind farms and power plants.

The Machine Head

The fast and the fearless

Machine heads often:

Tell your friends you're a Machine Head

Roles

Crane operator

Crane supervisor

Diamond drilling operative

Forklift driver

HGV driver

Lifting equipment inspector

Lifting equipment operator

Plant and mechanical engineer

Plant manager

Plant mechanic

Plant operator

Rail engineering manager

Shunter driver

Traffic safety and control officer

Traffic technical officer

Transport manager

Transport modeller

Wind turbine engineer