What Skills and Certifications Are Required to Operate a Backhoe?

Written by Staff Writer | Edited by Michael Purser

Backhoes are common pieces of heavy equipment used for construction sites, landscaping gigs, demolition contracts and more. They allow workers to get a lot done — but they can also be dangerous in the hands of an untrained operator.

You can’t just hop behind the controls and operate one on a worksite. Regulators require employers to ensure all heavy equipment operators complete basic safety instruction.

Read on to learn the basics, including information about heavy equipment operator courses.

Understanding Backhoes

A backhoe is a piece of large, motorized earthmoving equipment that does double duty. Its combination of rear scoop and front loader lets it dig on one side and push on the other. Specific designs come in many sizes and configurations, which make them useful for many different tasks.

Gaining Proficiency Behind the Controls

Handling one of these machines is thrilling — one operator can move tons of earth, hoist hefty loads and reshape terrain in just a few hours. But with great power comes great responsibility: poorly controlled force poses risks to the driver and everyone nearby.

Federal standards — such as OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926.602(d) — mandate that firms verify that every operator is both knowledgeable and capable. Achieving that status means completing classroom sessions on rules and hazard avoidance plus hands-on drills under expert supervision.

Why Do You Need Safety Training?

Construction equipment operation requires safety education because mistakes can be deadly. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), some of the main injury risks of using this type of machinery include:

• Being struck by the moving machine, swinging booms or other machine components
• Being struck by quick-disconnect excavator buckets that detach unexpectedly
• Rollovers
• Electrocutions
• Slides into trenches after cave-ins

To emphasize the potential dangers, NIOSH provides several case studies demonstrating the risks.

In one example, a 28-year-old laborer died after being struck by the vehicle’s rear quick-detach bucket while loading concrete manhole sections onto a truck. The victim was standing on the ground, connecting the manhole sections to the backhoe’s hydraulic arm. While connecting a section of concrete, the bucket disconnected, striking the worker. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim, the backhoe operator and their coworker were going about their day, doing their best to get the job done, when something tragic happened. Unfortunately, there are many more examples like this one. In many cases, proper equipment operation procedures could have helped prevent the tragedy.

Steps to Operating Construction Machinery

If you want to pursue a career running construction vehicles like backhoes, you’ll need both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. The initial phase involves coursework covering essential worksite protocols and hazard awareness. Typically, you’ll also need to pass an assessment to confirm your grasp of the material.

Practical learning happens on site under a supervisor’s guidance. They’ll walk you through controlling the specific machine you'll be using, pointing out the risks and necessary precautions.

For those aiming to operate backhoe loaders, the first step is selecting a suitable instructional program. Many programs allow you to complete the knowledge portion remotely, making it easier to fit learning into your schedule. However, your employer will still need to provide direct machine training before you begin working.

Finding a Certification Program

We make it easy to get the safety education you need. Whether it’s our specific backhoe safety course or more general safety education programs like the OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Training program, our online instructional courses are second-to-none.

If you work with multiple classes of heavy machines, we have you covered. We offer a wide range of heavy equipment operator training courses, including powered industrial truck (PIT) certification. You can advance your career even further with OSHA competent person training courses for a variety of hazards, including excavation and trenches.

Take advantage of our convenient and efficient instruction methods, including:

• 100% online courses — no need to attend class in person
• Automatic progress saving so you can start and stop at any time
• Courses available on all internet-connected devices, including your smartphone, tablet, laptop and desktop
• Instantly downloadable Certificate of Completion

Experience the very best in high-quality, user-friendly workplace safety education. Sign up for a course today to get started!