Hoist and Winch Operators

What Does a Hoist and Winch Operators Do?

Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Move 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.
• 2Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
• 3Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
• 4Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
• 5Move or reposition hoists, winches, loads and materials, manually or using equipment and machines such as trucks, cars, and hand trucks.
• 6Select loads or materials according to weight and size specifications.
• 7Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials.
• 8Attach, fasten, and disconnect cables or lines to loads, materials, and equipment, using hand tools.

Required Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word

Hoist and Winch Operators Salary