The Duties And Responsibilities Of Machine Maintenance Workers

By Author: Patricia Millay
Total Articles: 6
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Learn more about the work environment, schedules, and training industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers have to adhere to.

Work Environment
Industrial machinery mechanics and machine maintenance workers typically work at factories, plants, or large scale construction sites. Back in 2010, they held about 250,000 jobs, and mostly worked in factories, power plants, or at construction sites.

Work Schedules
The majority of machine guarding and maintenance workers are hired full time during regular hours of operation. However, mechanics may sometimes be on call or are designated to work at night or over the weekend. Especially for those specializing in machine repairs, Adelaide is one of the places where overtime is very common for industrial machinery mechanics and machine maintenance workers.

Hazards and Injuries
Industrial mechanics and machine maintenance workers suffer common injuries, such as strains, cuts, and bruises. Unfortunately, some injuries are so severe that it can be life-threatening. Industrial machine maintenance workers may also work in awkward positions, ...
... including on top of ladders or in confined conditions under or over large machinery.

To eliminate hazards and avoid injuries, they should strictly follow safety precautions and make use of protective equipment, such as safety glasses, hard hats, steel-toed shoes, and ear plugs. The installation of machine guarding is also highly advised. Even so, industrial mechanics and machine maintenance workers fall victim to numerous injuries and illnesses that are much higher than the national average.

The Education and Training Needed to Become an Industrial Mechanic and Machine Maintenance Worker

The majority of these highly skilled personnel have a high school diploma, but due to the rapid advances in technology, additional training is almost always required. Both industrial mechanics and machine maintenance workers typically need a high school diploma. Moreover, industrial mechanics require a year or more of training after high school, whereas maintenance workers normally receive on the job training that spans for a few months, up to a year.

In general, companies employing industrial mechanics and machine maintenance workers require them to have earned at least a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. However, more and more employers prefer to hire workers with some formal training in industrial technology. More employers also prefer to hire workers who have taken postsecondary courses in mathematics, blueprint reading, mechanical drawing, electronics, or computer programming.

Industrial mechanics normally require a year or more of formal education and hands-on training after high school to gain the necessary mechanical and technical skills. Even though industrial mechanics used to specialize in just one area, like electronics or hydraulics, most factories nowadays require every mechanic to be knowledgeable in electronics, electricity, hydraulics, and computer programming.

Some industrial machinery mechanics complete a 2-year associate’s degree program in industrial maintenance and machine repairs. Adelaide, for instance, may also have trainees who start out as helpers or in other factory jobs and master the critical skills of the trade informally or by taking courses authorized through their employer. Employers may provide onsite technical training or endorse workers to local technical schools while they also receive on the job training.