About This Career

Lubricates machinery, changes parts, or performs other routine machinery maintenance.

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster Maintenance, Installation and Repair pathway.

A person in this career:

• Starts machines and observes mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.
• Reads work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
• Inspects or tests damaged machine parts, and marks defective areas or advises supervisors of repair needs.
• Reassembles machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
• Dismantles machines and removes parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
• Installs, replaces, or changes machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
• Collaborates with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
• Inventories and requisitions machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.
• Records production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
• Sets up and operates machines, and adjusts controls to regulate operations.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Exposed to hazardous equipment such as saws, machinery, or vehicular traffic more than once a month
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
• Seeing clearly up close
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
• Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

• Overtime work
• Weekend work