Hoist & Winch Operators

Also called: Hoist Operator, Hoistman, Material Handler

Career Cluster: Architecture & Construction
What they do:
Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
On the job, you would:
  • Move levers, pedals, and throttles 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.
  • Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
  • Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
KNOWLEDGE

Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical
Business
  • customer service
SKILLS

Basic Skills
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
ABILITIES

Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands
Hearing and Speech
  • recognize spoken words
  • speak clearly
Controlled Movement
  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
PERSONALITY

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

They do well at jobs that need:
  • Independence
  • Initiative
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Persistence
TECHNOLOGY

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word
EDUCATION


high school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED
usually needed SEARCH ALL PROGRAMS & MAJORS SEARCH COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
JOB OUTLOOK

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Salary:
High: $111,470.00
Median: $55,950.00
Low: $33,760.00
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