Lathe and Turning Machine Operators
On the Job
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Operators set up, operate or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials.
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.
- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- Conduct test runs of production equipment.
- Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
- Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Standing.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- A work pace that is determined by the speed of equipment.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- Working with a group or team.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
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.
