What Do Machinery Maintenance Workers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Machinery Maintenance Workers lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance. They also start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.

Other tasks include:

• Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
• Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
• Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
• Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
• Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
• Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.

We asked Machinery Maintenance Workers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 51% 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, Machinery Maintenance Workers read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance. They record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.

A typical day for a Machinery Maintenance Worker will also include:

• Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.
• Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.
• Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.
• Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
• Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.

We asked some Machinery Maintenance Workers 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?	12% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	36% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	67% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	12% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	25% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Machinery Maintenance Workers also reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work. They may also remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Machinery Maintenance Workers Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists. They might also Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers.

In addition, they Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.

To some Machinery Maintenance Workers, it is also their responsibility to Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Machinery Maintenance Worker, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per 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/installation-maintenance-and-repair/general-maintenance-and-repair-workers.htm

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