Career Details :: Loading Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Description
Operate underground loading machine to load coal, ore, or rock into shuttle or mine car or onto conveyors. Loading equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Tasks
- Starts conveyor boom and gathering-arm motors.
- Pries off loose material from roof and moves it into path of machine with crowbar.
- Moves trailing electrical cable clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
- Operates levers to move conveyor boom or shovel to move mine contents into car or onto conveyor.
- Stops gathering arms when car is full.
- Advances machine to gather material and convey it into car at rear.
- Drives machine into pile of material blasted from working face.
Related Careers
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators
- Grader, Bulldozer, and Scraper Operators
- Helpers, Extraction Workers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
- Shuttle Car Operators
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Operating Vehicles or Equipment
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Degree of Automation
- Consequence of Error
- Hazardous Situations
- Hazardous Conditions
- Hazardous Equipment
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.