Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Operators
On the Job
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Operators set up, operate, or tend machines that shape and form products. They may work on things like glass, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Physical Demands 
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
- Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
- Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
- Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
- Select production equipment according to product specifications.
- Record operational or production data.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Standing.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- A work pace that is determined by the speed of equipment.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Working with a group or team.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Close physical proximity with other people.
- Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
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.
