Career summary

Details for Helpers--Production Workers


Description

Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

Tasks

  • Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
  • Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
  • Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
  • Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.
  • Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.
  • Mark or tag identification on parts.
  • Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
  • Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment.
  • Clean and lubricate equipment.
  • Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production.
  • Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
  • Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them.
  • Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment.
  • Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
  • Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.
  • Pack and store materials and products.
  • Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures.
  • Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks.
  • Signal coworkers to direct them to move products during the production process.
  • Prepare raw materials for processing.
  • Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Thread ends of items such as thread, cloth, and lace through needles and rollers, and around take-up tubes.
  • Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained.
  • Mix ingredients according to specified procedures or formulas.
  • Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled.
  • Fold products and product parts during processing.
  • Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products.
  • Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, or other fabricating machines, using power hoists.
  • Dump materials such as prepared ingredients into machine hoppers prior to mixing.
  • Break up defective products for reprocessing.
  • Change machine gears, using wrenches.
  • Cut or break flashing from materials or products.
  • Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts.
  • Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

None found.

Skills

None found.

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