Loading Machine Operators, Underground Mining

Operate underground loading machine to load coal, ore, or rock into shuttle or mine car or onto conveyors. Loading equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.

tasks jobzones knowledge skills abilities work_activities work_context interests work_values

Tasks

• Advance machines in order to gather material and convey it into cars.

• Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.

• Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.

• Signal workers to move loaded cars.

• Start conveyor booms and gathering-arm motors, and operate winches to position cars under boom-conveyors for loading.

• Stop gathering arms when cars are full.

• Clean hoppers, and clean spillage from tracks, walks, driveways, and conveyor decking.

• Estimate and record amounts of material in bins.

• Inspect boarding and locking of open-top box cars and wedging of side-drop and hopper cars in order to prevent loss of material in transit.

• Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.

Back to top

Job Zone

• Name: Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

• Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

• Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

• Job training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

• Examples: These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Svp range: (4.0 to < 6.0)

Back to top

Knowledge

Browse Knowledge

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

• Engineering and Technology
  Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

• Public Safety and Security
  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.

• Physics
  Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

• Production and Processing
  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Mathematics
  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• English Language
  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Transportation
  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

• Chemistry
  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.

• Telecommunications
  Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Back to top

Skills

Browse Skills

• Operation and Control
  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Repairing
  Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

• Equipment Maintenance
  Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

• Operation Monitoring
  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Equipment Selection
  Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

• Troubleshooting
  Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• Judgment and Decision Making
  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Monitoring
  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Systems Analysis
  Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

• Time Management
  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Back to top

Abilities

Browse Abilities

• Depth Perception
  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.

• Night Vision
  The ability to see under low light conditions.

• Control Precision
  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Static Strength
  The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

• Spatial Orientation
  The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.

• Multilimb Coordination
  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.

• Auditory Attention
  The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

• Manual Dexterity
  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Reaction Time
  The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

• 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.

Back to top

Work Activities

Browse 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.

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

• Controlling Machines and Processes
  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
  Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
  Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

• Getting Information
  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Back to top

Work Context

• Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

• 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?

• 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)?

• 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?

• Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting
  How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

• Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
  How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

• Degree of Automation
  How automated is the job?

• Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
  How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (e.g., operate a jackhammer)?

Back to top

Interests

Browse 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.

• Investigative
  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
  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
  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
  Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Back to top

Work Values

Browse Work Values

• Moral Values
  Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

• Independence
  Workers on this job do their work alone.

• Supervision, Human Relations
  Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management.

• Support-Mean Extent
  Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

• Company Policies and Practices
  Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.

• Supervision, Technical
  Workers on this job have supervisors who train their workers well.

• Activity
  Workers on this job are busy all the time.

• Compensation
  Workers on this job are paid well in comparison with other workers.

• Advancement
  Workers on this job have opportunities for advancement.

• Security
  Workers on this job have steady employment.

Back to top