Mine Shuttle Car Operators - 53-7111.00

Operate diesel or electric-powered shuttle car in underground mine to transport materials from working face to mine cars or conveyor.

Sample of reported job titles: Coal Hauler Operator, Ram Car Operator, Shuttle Car Operator

Tasks

• Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.
• Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.
• Clean, fuel, and service equipment, and repair and replace parts as necessary.
• Move mine cars into position for loading and unloading, using pinchbars inserted under car wheels to position cars under loading spouts.
• Guide and stop cars by switching, applying brakes, or placing scotches, or wooden wedges, between wheels and rails.
• Push or ride cars down slopes, or hook cars to cables and control cable drum brakes, to ease cars down inclines.
• Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
• Open and close bottom doors of cars to dump contents.
• Direct other workers to move stakes, place blocks, position anchors or cables, or move materials.
• Monitor loading processes to ensure that materials are loaded according to specifications.
• Measure, weigh, or verify levels of rock, gravel, or other excavated material to prevent equipment overloads.
• Read written instructions or confer with supervisors about schedules and materials to be moved.
• Maintain records of materials moved.

Technology Skills

• Data base user interface and query software - Data entry software
• Facilities management software - Mine maintenance software
• Industrial control software - Automated systems software

Tools Used

• Belt conveyors - Mining conveyor systems
• Bulk material carriers - Diesel shuttle cars; Electric shuttle cars
• Ear plugs - Hearing protection plugs
• Electric actuators - Electric switch controls
• Locking pliers - Channel lock pliers
• Mining headlamp - Cap lamps
• Protective gloves - Safety gloves
• Pry bars - Pinch bars
• Respirators - Self-rescuers
• Safety boots - Steel-toed boots
• Safety glasses - Protective glasses
• Safety vests - Reflective vests
• Sledge hammer - Sledgehammers
• Two way radios - Mobile radios
• Utility knives
• Valve actuators - Hydraulic valve controls

Skills

• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Abilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
• 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.
• Rate Control - The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• 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.

Interests

• Interest code: R
  • 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.

Work Context

• Exposed to Contaminants - 100% responded “Every day.”
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - 100% responded “Every day.”
• Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - 98% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - 93% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - 79% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - 41% responded “More than half the time.”
• Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions - 69% responded “Every day.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week
• Exposed to Whole Body Vibration - 76% responded “Every day.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 53% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Sitting - 62% responded “More than half the time.”
• Consequence of Error - 58% responded “Extremely serious.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - 79% responded “Every day.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 44% responded “Extremely important.”
• Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - 49% responded “Very important.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 61% responded “Every day.”
• Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - 38% responded “High responsibility.”
• In an Open Vehicle or Equipment - 71% responded “Every day.”
• Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting - 68% responded “Every day.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 49% responded “Very important results.”
• Contact With Others - 42% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Time Pressure - 62% responded “Every day.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 34% responded “Very important.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 38% responded “Some freedom.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 48% responded “Important.”
• Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - 32% responded “Once a year or more but not every month.”
• Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - 37% responded “About half the time.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
67%	High school diploma or equivalent
19%	Less than high school diploma
14%	Post-secondary certificate

Work Styles

• 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.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• 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.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• 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)
  • $27.35 hourly, $56,890 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 2,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Decline (-2% or lower)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 100