Red Seal HEO study plan

List the five most common fatal hazards on heavy equipment job sites and state one control for each

Explain the hierarchy of controls and apply it to three realistic operator tasks

Describe lockout/tagout and tag-out procedures for an excavator and a dozer, including how to verify zero energy

Identify the main environmental protection rules an operator must follow on a job site, such as spill response and erosion control

Walk through the pre-shift walkaround for an excavator and a dozer from cab to bucket or blade and name what to check at each point

Explain how an excavator's hydraulic system, swing, and track drive work together during a dig cycle

Describe safe digging technique: bench setup, spoil placement, and swing radius management

Compare track-type dozer and wheel loader operating principles, including when each is the right machine

Explain how grade control and slope stakes guide a dozer cut and fill operation

Identify the main causes of tip-over and rollover on excavators, dozers, and loaders and state how to prevent them

Describe the dig-lift-swing-dump cycle for a backhoe and an excavator and list the checks that keep each step safe

Explain trenching technique: excavation limits, sloping and shoring options, and spoil setback

Describe the compaction process, including lift thickness, moisture, and pass counts for common soils

Explain how to build and check a stable working platform and access ramp on soft or uneven ground

Describe how to grade to a slope and check finished grade against plan

Explain the pre-operational inspection checklist for each of the four machine types and the order in which checks are done

Describe daily and periodic maintenance tasks, such as fluid checks, filter changes, greasing, and track or tire inspection

Identify the main causes of hydraulic, electrical, and cooling system failures and the early warning signs

Explain how to respond to a spill, a fire, and a hydraulic line failure on site

Describe how to record inspections and maintenance in the machine log and why the record matters

Explain how to read site plans, grade stakes, and survey markings to set out a cut or fill

Describe the utility locating process, including calling for locates, reading markings, and hand-digging near marked utilities

Explain how to set up and check grade using a laser level or a rotating laser on a grading job

Describe rigging basics: sling types, load angle effects, hitch types, and how to inspect rigging gear before use

Explain safe load handling with an excavator or loader, including load charts, lifting points, and signaling

Explain how to plan a machine transport, including route survey, permit needs, and load height and weight limits

Describe how to load and unload a machine onto a trailer safely, including ramp angle and tie-down points

Explain load securement rules: working load limits, number of tie-downs, and how to check tension after travel

Describe the hand signals and radio communication used during loading and lifting operations

Explain what to record in daily logs, incident reports, and pre-trip documentation, and how to write them clearly

Explain basic diesel engine operation and the most common causes of low power or hard starting

Describe how to diagnose a hydraulic problem from symptoms such as slow cycle times, drift, or overheating

Explain how to check and charge a battery safely and how to trace a simple electrical fault

Describe when a repair is within an operator's scope and when to stop and call a technician

Explain how to keep a maintenance log that supports troubleshooting and warranty claims

Review every domain and list the topics you still find weakest, then target them in practice questions

Work through full-length practice sets under timed conditions and review every wrong answer

Re-explain the most testable safety and operating rules from memory without notes

Confirm your knowledge of the key regulations, inspection records, and documentation requirements