Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Operators
On the Job
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operators set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools. These tools remove excess materials from metal or plastic work pieces. They may sharpen edges or corners, or buff or polish pieces.
Physical Demands 
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
- Operate cutting equipment.
- Operate grinding equipment.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
- Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
- Lay out parts to prepare for assembly.
- Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
- Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
- Reshape metal workpieces to established specifications.
- Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).
- Working with a group or team.
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.
