Operate a Roller
A smooth, compacted foundation is the difference between a road that lasts and one that fails. Train your operators to achieve that standard safely, professionally and legally — with this CETA-accredited Roller Operator Training course from SACTS.
DESCRIPTION
Unit Standard (SAQA Reg. No 262805)
A roller compactor is a piece of machinery that is used to densify (compact) materials like soil, sand, and clean fill, usually undertaken within a major project. Rollers are primarily used to create compact foundations for a range of construction jobs and projects. While these machines are usually used for road works jobs, they’re also used for agricultural and landfill purposes, as well as to compact concrete, gravel, asphalt and soil into a perfectly flat foundation, allowing the final surface to be laid accurately and precisely.Why Roller Operator Training Matters
An untrained roller operator is a serious risk to themselves, their colleagues and the public. Furthermore, the OHS Act and Construction Regulations require all construction plant operators to be trained and competent before operating any machine on site. As a result, investing in roller operator training protects your people, reduces your risk and keeps your business legally compliant.
Successful candidates credited with this unit standard are able to:
- Demonstrating knowledge of the functions of a roller.
- Planning for work activities and prepare work area.
- Starting and shutting down roller.
- Operating roller.
- Transporting roller to and from site
COURSE DURATION:
- 5 Days Novice
- 1 Day Re-certification
NQF LEVEL: 2
CREDITS: 5
Quality Assured Partner: Construction Education And Training Authority
Description
The qualifying learner will be able to operate a roller by understanding the functions of starting, shutting down and operating procedures for the machine. Learners who master the applied competence described in this course will contribute to the development of a professional community of Construction Plant operators. The area of focus of this course will be;
Knowledge of the Functions of a Roller
Roller operator training begins with a thorough understanding of the roller compactor’s function, purpose and types. This module consequently introduces learners to the role of the roller in the construction industry — covering its key applications across road construction, civil engineering, mining and agriculture. Furthermore, learners will develop a thorough understanding of the types of compactors — including dead weight rollers, vibrating rollers, pneumatic tyred rollers, wheeled soil compactors, smooth drum rollers and pad foot or sheep foot rollers. In addition, learners will develop a comprehensive understanding of the roller’s main components — including the engine, fuel system, hydraulic system, electrical system, master switch and fuses — as well as the cooling system, including liquid cooling and air cooling. Furthermore, learners will cover tyre care, causes of tyre wear, tyre inflation, daily tyre care and tyre checking procedures — ensuring that the machine is safe and fully operational before every work shift
Planning for Work Activities and Preparing the Work Area
Before any roller operation begins, a qualified operator must plan carefully and prepare the work area thoroughly. This module consequently equips learners with the skills to assess site conditions, identify hazards and develop a safe work plan — ensuring that all work is carried out safely, efficiently and in full compliance with the OHS Act and Construction Regulations. Furthermore, learners will develop a comprehensive understanding of different types of personal protective equipment, legislation and requirements related to PPE, and the purpose and care for PPE. In addition, learners will develop a working knowledge of workplace responsibilities — including employer responsibilities and employee responsibilities under the OHS Act. Furthermore, learners will learn about contributing factors that result in accidents, basic causes of accidents including personal factors and job factors, immediate causes of accidents including unsafe acts and unsafe conditions, general hazards on site, and health and environmental hazards. As a result, learners will be able to identify and eliminate unsafe acts and conditions before any roller operations begin.
Starting and Shutting Down the Roller
A thorough pre-start inspection is the first line of defence against mechanical failure and operator injury. This module therefore equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to conduct comprehensive machine inspections — including the walk around inspection, pre-starting checks, pre-operating checks, operating checks and parking procedure. Furthermore, learners will develop the practical skills to start the roller safely — including starting a cold engine correctly and how to respond when the engine will not start. In addition, this module covers the correct shutdown and close-down procedures for the roller — including shutting down and parking the roller, stopping the machine, parking correctly and stopping the engine safely. Furthermore, learners will understand the importance of avoiding intermittent revving and excessive idling — and how to interpret engine exhaust smoke colour as an indicator of machine health and maintenance requirements.
Operating the Roller
This is the core practical module of the course — covering the fundamental operating principles and hands-on skills required to operate a roller compactor safely and efficiently across a range of compaction applications. Learners will consequently develop practical skills across all aspects of roller operation — including braking, stopping the engine and operating the roller. Furthermore, learners will develop a thorough understanding of the type of material to be compacted, compactor application, operating the compactor, vibration control, ballast, compacting techniques and compaction considerations. In addition, learners will develop the ability to select the correct roller type and compaction technique for each specific material and application — ensuring that the required compaction standard is achieved safely and efficiently on every project.
Transporting the Roller To and From Site
Transporting a roller to and from site requires careful planning and strict compliance with road traffic legislation. This module therefore equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to prepare the roller for transportation — including securing the drum, checking tyre pressures and ensuring that the machine is safe and roadworthy before loading onto the transport vehicle. Furthermore, learners will learn about the legal requirements governing the transportation of construction plant on public roads in South Africa — including driver’s licence requirements, load security regulations, vehicle weight restrictions and road traffic legislation. In addition, learners will develop the practical skills to safely load, secure and offload the roller — including correct positioning on the transport vehicle, tie-down and load securing procedures, and safety checks before departure. Finally, this module covers the safe offloading of the roller from the transport vehicle and the correct positioning of the machine on site before compaction operations begin — ensuring that the machine is safely and correctly set up for the work ahead without risk to the operator, other workers or the public.
Entry level requirements into this programme?
All new entrants intended under this code (Novice or Re-licensing) shall provide training institution with the required documents.
- An employer declaration or medical certificate confirming the medical fitness of the learner to undergo the intended training
- An eye test results issued by a person trained to carry out such tests
- All new entrants intended under this code will be required to hold at least a Grade 9 (Std 7) school certificate and are at least 18 years of age.
- Learners shall provide training institution with a valid certified copy of his/her Identity Document
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This CETA-accredited Roller Operator Training course is designed for anyone who operates or is required to operate a roller compactor in a construction, road building or civil engineering environment. It is specifically recommended for:
- New roller operators (Novice) — individuals with no prior roller experience who need to become fully qualified to operate a roller compactor safely and professionally on construction and road building sites
- Existing operators due for re-certification (Refresher) — operators required to renew their certification and demonstrate continued competence in roller operation
- Road construction and maintenance crews — using roller compactors for road works jobs — compacting road base, gravel, asphalt and soil into a perfectly flat foundation to allow the final road surface to be laid accurately and precisely
- Civil engineering and infrastructure contractors — operating rollers for compacting foundations, embankments, trenches, drainage structures and bulk earthworks on large-scale civil construction and infrastructure projects
- Mining and quarrying personnel — using rollers for compacting haul roads, stockpile areas and general surface maintenance in open-cast and surface mining environments
- Asphalt and surfacing contractors — operating rollers for compacting hot and cold mix asphalt on road surfacing, patching and rehabilitation projects
- Landfill and waste management operators — using rollers for compacting waste material at landfill sites to maximise landfill capacity and comply with waste management regulations
- Agricultural and estate workers — operating rollers for compacting farm roads, access tracks, sports fields and estate roads in rural and agricultural environments
- Supervisors and health and safety officers — responsible for overseeing roller operations and ensuring compliance with the OHS Act and Construction Regulations on construction and road building sites
