About This Career

Feeds materials into or removes materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster Production pathway.

A person in this career:

• Inspects materials and products for defects, and to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Records production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed.
• Pushes dual control buttons and moves controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment.
• Weighs or measures materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Identifies and marks materials, products, and samples, following instructions.
• Cleans and maintains machinery, equipment, and work areas to ensure proper functioning and safe working conditions.
• Loads materials and products into machines and equipment, or onto conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.
• Transfers materials and products to and from machinery and equipment, using industrial trucks or hand trucks.
• Fastens, packages, or stacks materials and products, using hand tools and fastening equipment.
• Removes materials and products from machines and equipment, and places them in boxes, trucks or conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly up close
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects

Work Hours and Travel

• Rotating shift work