What Do Machine Feeders and Offbearers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Machine Feeders and Offbearers feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers. They also inspect materials and products for defects, and to ensure conformance to specifications.

Other tasks include:

• Record production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed.
• Push dual control buttons and move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment.
• Weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions.
• Clean and maintain machinery, equipment, and work areas to ensure proper functioning and safe working conditions.
• Load materials and products into machines and equipment, or onto conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.

We asked Machine Feeders and Offbearers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Machine Feeders and Offbearers inspect materials and products for defects, and to ensure conformance to specifications. They fasten, package, or stack materials and products, using hand tools and fastening equipment.

• Clean and maintain machinery, equipment, and work areas to ensure proper functioning and safe working conditions.
• Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions.
• Weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Record production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed.
• Remove materials and products from machines and equipment, and place them in boxes, trucks or conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.

We asked some Machine Feeders and Offbearers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	39% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	40% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	15% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	28% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Machine Feeders and Offbearers also add chemicals, solutions, or ingredients to machines or equipment as required by the manufacturing process. They may also weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Machine Feeders and Offbearers Shovel or scoop materials into containers, machines, or equipment for processing, storage, or transport. They might also Open and close gates of belt and pneumatic conveyors on machines that are fed directly from preceding machines.

In addition, they Fasten, package, or stack materials and products, using hand tools and fastening equipment.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Transfer materials and products to and from machinery and equipment, using industrial trucks or hand trucks.

To some Machine Feeders and Offbearers, it is also their responsibility to Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Machine Feeder and Offbearer, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/transportation-and-material-moving/hand-laborers-and-material-movers.htm

http://www.mhi.org/

http://www.werc.org/