Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
On the Job
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators lay railroad track. The tracks they lay are for standard railroad equipment or equipment used in plant yards, quarries, or mines.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Apply paint to surfaces.
- Apply sealants or other protective coatings.
- Cut metal components for installation.
- Cut wood components for installation.
- Drill holes in construction materials.
- Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
- Weld metal components.
- Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.
- Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
- Clean equipment or facilities.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Working outdoors exposed to weather.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Working with a group or team.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- The freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
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.