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Career Exploration

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Also called: Crusher Operator, Grinder Operator, Machine Operator, Mill Operator

What they do:

Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
  • Move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment that crushes, grinds, polishes, or blends materials.
On the job, you'll need:

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Controlled Movement

  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
  • change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Visual Understanding

  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Initiative
  • Self Control

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Electronic mail software

  • Email software

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • SAP software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $43,290

Education

High school diploma/GED or some college is usually needed.