Hoist & Winch Operators
Also called: Hoistman, Material Handler,
What they do:
Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.On the job, you would:
- 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.
Engineering and Technology
Business
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Basic Skills
Problem Solving
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Hand and Finger Use
Controlled Movement
Hearing and Speech
Ideas and Logic
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People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
|
You might use software like this on the job: Spreadsheet software
Word processing software
Data base user interface and query software
|
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![]() New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
![]() $59,720
![]() $30,680
$101,550
|
|
What they do:
Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.On the job, you would:
- 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.
KNOWLEDGE
Engineering and Technology
- mechanical
Business
- customer service
SKILLS
Basic Skills
- thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
- keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
ABILITIES
Hand and Finger Use
- keep your arm or hand steady
- hold or move items with your hands
Controlled Movement
- quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
- use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
Hearing and Speech
- recognize spoken words
- speak clearly
Ideas and Logic
- notice when problems happen
PERSONALITY
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Independence
- Initiative
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Persistence
TECHNOLOGY
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
Data base user interface and query software
- Data entry software
EDUCATION

- high school diploma/GED
- no high school diploma/GED
JOB OUTLOOK

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

$59,720

$30,680
$101,550