Helpers of production workers help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools and cleaning work area and equipment.

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

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Performing General Physical Activities — 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.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
  • Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
  • Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
  • Count finished products or workpieces.
  • Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
  • Load materials into production equipment.
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Knowledge

Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

Skills information for this career will be available soon.

Abilities

Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Trunk Strength
  • The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Static Strength
  • The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Control Precision
  • The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Document management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
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