Machine Feeders and Offbearers

Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.

Sample of reported job titles:

Cotton Tipper, Dryer Feeder, Feeder, Lug Loader, Machine Feeder, Offbearer, Sawmill Worker, Sewing Line Baler, Tube Puller

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

Inspect materials and products for defects, and to ensure conformance to specifications.
Remove materials and products from machines and equipment, and place them in boxes, trucks or conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.
Push dual control buttons and move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment.
Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions.
Load materials and products into machines and equipment, or onto conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.

Technology Skills

Industrial control software:Machine operation software
Hot Technology
Time accounting software:Work time tracking software
Hot Technology

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects:Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Controlling Machines and Processes:Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing General Physical Activities:Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials:Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Detailed Work Activities

Clean facilities or work areas.
Clean machinery or equipment.
Inspect items for damage or defects.
Inspect work to ensure standards are met.
Load materials into equipment for processing.

Work Context

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets:94% responded"Every day"
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls:70% responded"Continually or almost continually"
Spend Time Standing:67% responded"Continually or almost continually"
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable:63% responded"Every day"
Exposed to Contaminants:57% responded"Every day"

Worker Requirements

Skills

Operations Monitoring:Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Knowledge

Production and Processing:Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mechanical:Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:

73%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
21%
Less than a High School Diploma

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

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.
Control Precision:The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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.
Reaction Time:The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Interests

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 Values

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.
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.
Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Work Styles

Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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.