Mine Cutting Machine Operators
On the Job
Mine Cutting Machine Operators operate machinery, like longwall shears, plows, and cutting machines, to cut along the seams of mines or quarries. They do this to help blast or remove minerals from mines.
Physical Demands 
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Operate detonation equipment.
- Operate mining equipment.
- Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
- Monitor extraction operations.
- Maintain extraction or excavation equipment.
- Cut openings in existing structures.
- Install safety or support equipment.
- Position construction or extraction equipment.
- Position safety or support equipment.
- Prepare explosives for detonation.
Typical Working Conditions
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Frequent contact with others.
- A work pace that is determined by the speed of equipment.
- Working with a group or team.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
