Helpers--Production Workers - 51-9198.00

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

Sample of reported job titles: Assistant Operator, Helper, Laborer, Machine Operator, Material Handler, Press Helper, Production Worker, Service Person, Support Team Member, Utility Worker

Tasks

• 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.

Technology Skills

• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD
• Data base user interface and query software - Data entry software
• Desktop publishing software - Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
• Document management software - Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - SAP
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Tools Used

• Adjustable wrenches
• Box end wrenches - Ratcheting box wrenches
• Claw hammer - Claw hammers
• Floor or platform scales - Industrial platform scales
• Forklifts
• Grease guns
• Hand trucks or accessories - Handtrucks
• Hoists - Power hoists
• Hydraulic truck cranes - Hydraulic booms
• Jacks - Hand jacks; Pipe jacks
• Label making machines - Label-making machines
• Ladders - Platform ladders
• Locking pliers
• Open end wrenches - Crescent wrenches
• Personal computers
• Pipe wrenches
• Planes - Planers
• Pneumatic hammer - Jackhammers
• Power drills
• Power grinders
• Power nail guns
• Power sanders
• Power saws
• Precision file - Precision files
• Pressure or steam cleaners - Pressure wands
• Razor knives
• Saws - Hand saws
• Screwdrivers - Phillips head screwdrivers; Straight screwdrivers
• Skid steer loaders
• Slings - Material-hoisting slings
• Soldering iron - Soldering equipment
• Staple guns
• Tape measures - Measuring tapes
• Utility knives
• Vacuum cleaners - Industrial vacuum cleaners
• Winches - Hydraulic winches

Knowledge

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

Abilities

• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• 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.
• Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
• 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.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• 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.
• Problem Sensitivity - 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.
• Extent Flexibility - The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
• Stamina - The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

Interests

• Interest code: RC
  • 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.

Work Context

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - 96% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - 64% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 63% responded “Every day.”
• Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - 62% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - 64% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Time Pressure - 47% responded “Every day.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 40% responded “Very important.”
• Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - 39% responded “Very important.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 50% responded “Very important.”
• Contact With Others - 39% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - 57% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Standing - 49% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 54% responded “40 hours.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 60% responded “Some freedom.”
• Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - 43% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Exposed to Contaminants - 59% responded “Every day.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 42% responded “Every day.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - 52% responded “Every day.”
• Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings - 46% responded “Every day.”
• Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - 50% responded “Moderate responsibility.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 61% responded “Some freedom.”
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - 27% responded “Very important.”
• Physical Proximity - 45% responded “Moderately close (at arm's length).”
• Spend Time Walking and Running - 27% responded “More than half the time.”
• Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - 26% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Consequence of Error - 27% responded “Serious.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 39% responded “Important.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 25% responded “Minor results.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
49%	High school diploma or equivalent
32%	Less than high school diploma
18%	Post-secondary certificate

Work Styles

• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values

• Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
• Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $12.54 hourly, $26,070 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 426,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Faster than average (10% to 14%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 72,000