Apply now
CourseAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Enrolment open

Safe Excavator Operation Course

300 h online course in safe excavator operation. 6 modules covering EN 474-5 (hydraulic excavators, safety), ISO 10567 (lifting capacity of hydraulic excavators) and Trimble Earthworks. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeHybrid
LanguageEnglish / Spanish
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Identify the configurations and systems of the hydraulic excavator.

02

Carry out pre-operation checks and prepare the work area.

03

Apply efficient excavation, loading and levelling techniques.

04

Excavate trenches and slopes with protective measures against collapse.

05

Carry out lifting operations in accordance with the machine's load chart.

06

Prevent risks of overturning, contact with services and run-over.

07

Optimise performance and plan maintenance.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Excavator operator who wants to specialise in Safe Excavator Operation.
  • Earthworks supervisor who wants to specialise in Safe Excavator Operation.
  • Plant manager who wants to specialise in Safe Excavator Operation.
  • Site prevention technician who wants to specialise in Safe Excavator Operation.
  • Demolition operator who wants to specialise in Safe Excavator Operation.
  • Operator instructor who wants to specialise in Safe Excavator Operation.
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter civil works.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • EN 474-5 (hydraulic excavators, safety)
  • ISO 10567 (lifting capacity of hydraulic excavators)
  • ISO 7451 (excavator bucket volume)
  • ISO 10262 (operator protection on excavators)
  • Royal Decree 1627/1997 (safety on construction sites)
  • Royal Decree 1215/1997 (work equipment)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Crawler, wheeled and compact excavators
  2. 1.2Parts: undercarriage, superstructure, boom, arm and bucket
  3. 1.3Slewing, counterweight and stability
  4. 1.4Hydraulics: pumps, control valves and cylinders
  5. 1.5Controls, joystick and control patterns
  6. 1.6Bucket types and attachments
  7. 1.7Quick coupler and tool changeover
  8. 1.8Breaker, grab and shear: specific features
  9. 1.9Working range diagram and capacities
  10. 1.10Workshop: identification of components and controls
  1. 2.1Pre-start inspection
  2. 2.2Fluid levels, leaks and hose condition
  3. 2.3Undercarriage and track tension
  4. 2.4Condition of teeth, edge protectors and pins
  5. 2.5Checking slewing, brakes and lights
  6. 2.6Visibility, cameras and person detection
  7. 2.7Ground survey and support conditions
  8. 2.8Setting out and excavation references
  9. 2.9Site organisation and spoil removal
  10. 2.10Practical: pre-operation checklist
  1. 3.1Positioning the machine and the working face
  2. 3.2Excavation cycle and optimisation
  3. 3.3Bucket filling and fill factor
  4. 3.4Loading lorries: slewing and height
  5. 3.5Trench and formation-level excavation
  6. 3.6Excavation below bearing level
  7. 3.7Trimming the base and slopes
  8. 3.8Selective demolition and debris handling
  9. 3.9Working with the hydraulic breaker
  10. 3.10Practical: trench with trimming and lorry loading
  1. 4.1Trench stability and shoring
  2. 4.2Machine distances from the excavation edge
  3. 4.3Temporary slopes and safe angles
  4. 4.4Working near buried services
  5. 4.5Excavation with water and dewatering
  6. 4.6Loading rock material
  7. 4.7Working on gradients and platforms
  8. 4.8Lifting loads with an excavator: limits and requirements
  9. 4.9Working in confined and urban spaces
  10. 4.10Practical: excavation procedure next to services
  1. 5.1Main risks: overturning, entrapment and crushing
  2. 5.2Slewing zone and exclusion area
  3. 5.3Pedestrians and banksmen
  4. 5.4Falling material and face collapse
  5. 5.5Overhead power lines and clearances
  6. 5.6Night work and reduced visibility
  7. 5.7Machine transport and loading onto a low-loader
  8. 5.8Parking, lowering equipment and locking out
  9. 5.9Response to incidents and emergencies
  10. 5.10Practical: workstation risk assessment
  1. 6.1Hourly production calculation
  2. 6.2Factors that reduce performance
  3. 6.3Efficient driving and fuel consumption
  4. 6.4Tool wear and cost per hour
  5. 6.5First-level operator maintenance
  6. 6.6Greasing, filters and cleaning
  7. 6.7Early detection of fault symptoms
  8. 6.8Guidance systems and depth control
  9. 6.9Common errors of the novice operator
  10. 6.10Final project: planning and carrying out an excavation
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine study with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Trimble Earthworks, Leica iCON, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for trench excavation with shoring, excavator lifting operations and the daily inspection routine. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with rotor bench, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible study mode(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, cyber-OT, DIH and compliance as core pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Hourly production calculation

Identify the configurations and systems of the hydraulic excavator.

Factors that reduce performance

Carry out pre-operation checks and prepare the work area.

Efficient driving and fuel consumption

Apply efficient excavation, loading and levelling techniques.

Tool wear and cost per hour

Excavate trenches and slopes with protective measures against collapse.

First-level operator maintenance

Carry out lifting operations in accordance with the machine's load chart.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Excavator operatorEarthworks supervisorPlant managerSite prevention technicianDemolition operatorOperator instructor
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient Spanish level to follow technical standards documentation.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme is 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.

You will work with Trimble Earthworks, Leica iCON and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates a free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

Keep exploring

Related programmes

See all in Aerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Course780 $

Preventive maintenance course for helicopters

Helicopter Preventive Maintenance Course This course provides comprehensive training in the inspection, diagnosis, and maintenance of critical helicopter systems. It focuses on the application of safety…

3 monthsHybridAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Course399 $

Course in Virtual Reality for Crew Training

Online 300-hour course in virtual reality for crew training. 6 modules covering the STCW Convention and STCW Code, SOLAS Chapter III and Unity. Assigned tutor and…

300 hOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Course349 $

IGF Code Standards Course for Alternative Fuels

300 h online course in IGF Code standards for alternative fuels. 6 modules covering the IGF Code (Resolution MSC.391(95)), SOLAS Convention ch. II-1 and DNV Phast.…

300 hOnlineAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space
Safe Excavator Operation CourseEnrol
Related programmes

More in Regulation, Safety, RAMS & Homologation

Initial Diagnosis of a Restoration Project CourseView programme →Course in Construction Vehicles: Front-End LoadersView programme →Mining Vehicles Course: Articulated TrucksView programme →Course in Classic Agricultural Machinery RestorationView programme →Vintage Lorry Restoration CourseView programme →Basic Applied Radiobiology CourseView programme →

All Regulation, Safety, RAMS & Homologation programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships

Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.