Hoist and Winch Operators

Also known as: Air Hoist Operator, Air Lift Operator, Boat Hoist Operator (+48 more)

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

🎓 Experience Level 2 (Some preparation needed) 📈 Advanced Manufacturing; Construction

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What You'll Do

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.

Essential Skills

Critical Thinking 3.75/5

Monitoring 3.62/5

Operations Monitoring 3.62/5

Time Management 3.5/5

Active Listening 3.38/5

Operation and Control 3.38/5

Complex Problem Solving 3.25/5

Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5

Speaking 3.12/5

Social Perceptiveness 3.12/5

Coordination 3.0/5

Instructing 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Cautiousness, Attention to Detail, Stress Tolerance, Self-Control

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5

Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.63/5

Control Precision 3.63/5

Reaction Time 3.63/5

Depth Perception 3.63/5

Multilimb Coordination 3.5/5

Near Vision 3.5/5

Oral Comprehension 3.38/5

Technologies & Tools

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Word

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

Dependability (High importance: 4.57/5)
Cautiousness (High importance: 4.52/5)
Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.28/5)
Stress Tolerance (High importance: 3.77/5)
Self-Control (High importance: 3.63/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

Similar Careers to Explore

Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Air Hoist Operator Air Lift Operator Boat Hoist Operator Boat Loader Cable Operator Cable Way Operator Casing Puller Chute Operator Clutch Operator Corner Bead Operator Cupola Hoist Operator Derrick Operator Electric Fork Operator Gin Pole Operator Hoist Operator Hoisting Engine Operator Hoisting Operator Hoistman Hydraulic Boom Operator Industrial Tugger Operator Jammer Operator Jump Roll Operator Lever Operator Pack Changer Pack Puller Pier Runner Pipe Puller Pit Hoist Operator Pneumatic Hoist Operator Pole Lift Operator Pulling Unit Floorhand Scrap Hoist Operator Scraper Loader Operator Service Operator Skip Hoist Operator Slope Tender Steam Hoist Operator Stiff Leg Operator Tugger Tugger Operator Vault Puller Well Puller Well Service Derrick Worker Winch Derrick Operator Winch Driver Winch Operator Winch Runner Winch Stripper Winchman Yarder Operator Yarder Puncher

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.

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