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Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
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.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job 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.
Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $26K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $31K
Median Salary: $39K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $49K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $60K
Demand
Core Tasks
Observe operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions.
Examine materials, ingredients, or products, visually or with hands, to ensure conformance to established standards.
Clean, adjust, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment that crushes, grinds, polishes, or blends materials.
Test samples of materials or products to ensure compliance with specifications, using test equipment.
Dislodge and clear jammed materials or other items from machinery and equipment, using hand tools.
Read work orders to determine production specifications and information.
Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products at specified intervals to ensure conformance to requirements.
Tend accessory equipment, such as pumps and conveyors, to move materials or ingredients through production processes.
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory testing.
Record data from operations, testing, and production on specified forms.
Clean work areas.
Load materials into machinery and equipment, using hand tools.
Set mill gauges to specified fineness of grind.
Notify supervisors of needed repairs.
Reject defective products and readjust equipment to eliminate problems.
Transfer materials, supplies, and products between work areas, using moving equipment and hand tools.
Inspect chains, belts, or scrolls for signs of wear.
Mark bins as to types of mixtures stored.
Turn valves to regulate the moisture contents of materials.
Add or mix chemicals and ingredients for processing, using hand tools or other devices.
Break mixtures to size, using picks.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Production and Processing
80%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mechanical
78%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
65%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security
61%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mathematics
60%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training
56%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Food Production
49%
Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Administration and Management
47%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Chemistry
47%
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Customer and Personal Service
47%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Top 10 Skills
Operations Monitoring
80%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control
78%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring
68%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening
60%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Equipment Maintenance
60%
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Instructing
60%
Teaching others how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Quality Control Analysis
60%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension
60%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
60%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Top 10 Abilities
Multilimb Coordination
78%
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
73%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision
73%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Manual Dexterity
73%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Near Vision
73%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Rate Control
73%
The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Reaction Time
73%
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Hearing Sensitivity
70%
The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Perceptual Speed
68%
The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Problem Sensitivity
68%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Top 10 Work Activities
Controlling Machines and Processes
90%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
84%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Handling and Moving Objects
84%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
78%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Performing General Physical Activities
78%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
76%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Getting Information
75%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
75%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
75%
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
74%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Detailed Work Activities
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
Operate grinding equipment.
Clean production equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
Weigh finished products.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Clear equipment jams.
Operate pumping systems or equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Load materials into production equipment.
Clean work areas.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.
Evaluate quality of materials or products.
Inspect production equipment.
Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
Prepare materials for processing.
Work Context
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
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
72%
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.
Investigative
53%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
29%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic
19%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
15%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
87%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
87%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation
84%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Concern for Others
76%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Initiative
76%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Self Control
75%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Independence
73%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
73%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
73%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort
71%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Work Values
Support
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
41%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition
39%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.