Hoist and Winch Operators Job Description

The Hoist and Winch Operator operates or tends hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power operated cable equipment.

Hoist and Winch Operator Tasks

• The Hoist and Winch Operator moves levers, pedals, and throttles in order to stop, start, and regulate speeds of hoist or winch drums in response to hand, bell, buzzer, telephone, loud speaker, or whistle signals, or by observing dial indicators or cable marks.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator starts engines of hoists and winches and uses levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator observes equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers in order to verify load positions and/or depths.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator operates compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches in order to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator moves or reposition hoists, winches, loads and materials, manually or using equipment and machines such as trucks, cars, and hand trucks.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator selects loads or materials according to weight and size specifications.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator signals and assists other workers loading or unloading materials.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator attaches, fastens, and disconnects cables or lines to loads, materials, and equipment, using hand tools.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator applies hand or foot brakes and moves levers to lock hoists or winches.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator oils winch drums so that cables will wind smooth.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator needs knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Hoist and Winch Operators Skills

• The Hoist and Winch Operator needs the operation and control skill. This includes controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator needs the skill of coordination. This includes adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator needs the skill of reading comprehension. This includes understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator needs the skill of talking to others to convey information effectively.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator must consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator watches gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator repairs machines or systems using the needed tools.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator performs routine maintenance on equipment and determines when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

The Abilities of the Hoist and Winch Operators

• The Hoist and Winch Operator needs 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.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator must have the ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator must have the ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or vehicle to exact positions.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator needs the ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator must have the ability to quickly respond with the hand, finger, or foot to a signal such as sound, light, and picture when it appears.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator must have the ability to see details at close range within a few feet of the observer.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator needs the ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• The Hoist and Winch Operator needs the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words or sentences.

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