Hoist and Winch Operators
Hoist operator operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
How to become a hoist operator? A hoist operator controls the movement of the cables, cages, railcars, loaders, ships and other equipment that carries people or material. Their daily tasks include moving levers, pedals, regulate speed of hoist, start engines, observe equipment gauges, and indicators and hand signals to unwind cable on drums, and operate compressed air, diesel, electric, to control movement of cable ways, cages, loaders, railcars etc. They use tools such as trucks, cars, hand operated hoist, and handtrucks to perform the activity.
To pursue a career in this field, the candidate must have completed high school diploma or its equivalent with a winch operator training experience. Besides that, the candidate must have good communication skills and technical skills in various software applications such as Data Entry, Microsoft Excel, and Powerpoint. They must have a good knowledge about repairing, and maintaining mechanical equipment, handling, and moving objects, operating vehicles and other equipment.
To become a successful hoist operator, one must have the ability to detect any fault or error in the machines, ability to judge the objects closer or farther away, obtaining information from relevant sources, ability to adjust the controls of the machines, finding reason to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions. Some of the career opportunities of a winch operator training are - Material Handler, Winch Derrick Operator, Hoistman, and Service Operator.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- NSQF Level 4 Excavator Operator
- Training Course Driving course from any private or government center
Tasks
- Move levers, pedals, and throttles to stop, start, and regulate speeds of hoist or winch drums in response to hand, bell, buzzer, telephone, loud-speaker, or whistle signals, or by observing dial indicators or cable marks.
- Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
- Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
- Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
- Move or reposition hoists, winches, loads and materials, manually or using equipment and machines such as trucks, cars, and hand trucks.
- Select loads or materials according to weight and size specifications.
- Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials.
- Attach, fasten, and disconnect cables or lines to loads, materials, and equipment, using hand tools.
- Apply hand or foot brakes and move levers to lock hoists or winches.
- Oil winch drums so that cables will wind smoothly.
Progression Routes
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