- Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.
Occupations with related tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV
| Closely Related Tasks | All Related Tasks | Job Zone | Code | Occupation |
| 4 | 4 | 2 | 53-4022.00 | Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 53-3032.00 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers 
|
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 47-5044.00 | Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining |
| 2 | 2 | 3 | 53-5021.00 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels |
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 53-5011.00 | Sailors and Marine Oilers |
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 53-7051.00 | Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators |
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 53-7062.00 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
|
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 53-7011.00 | Conveyor Operators and Tenders
|
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 53-6061.00 | Passenger Attendants |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 53-4011.00 | Locomotive Engineers |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 47-5022.00 | Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 53-6032.00 | Aircraft Service Attendants
|
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 53-4031.00 | Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 53-4013.00 | Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers |
- Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
- Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
- Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations.
- Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
- Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
- Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
- Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
- Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
- Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
- Operate locomotives in emergency situations.
- Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
- Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.
- Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
- Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts.
- Check to see that trains are equipped with supplies such as fuel, water, and sand.
- Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently.
- Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
- Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.
- Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.
- Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.
- Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.
- Refuel and lubricate engines.
- Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions.
- Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.
- Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.
- Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.
- Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information.
- Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains.
- Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
- Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
- Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations.
- Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
- Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
- Wrap and secure goods using pads, packing paper, containers, or straps.
- Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary.
- Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
- Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
- Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
- Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
- Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
- Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
- Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
- Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
- Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid, performing minor repairs, or washing trucks.
- Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks.
- Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
- Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
- Drive trucks with capacities greater than 3 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
- Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes.
- Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
- Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.
- Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations.
- Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
- Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs.
- Remove debris from loaded trailers.
- Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
- Inventory and inspect goods to be moved to determine quantities and conditions.
- Follow special cargo-related procedures, such as checking refrigeration systems for frozen foods or providing food or water for livestock.
- Install or remove special equipment, such as tire chains, grader blades, plow blades, or sanders.
- Operate idle reduction systems or auxiliary power systems to generate power from alternative sources, such as fuel cells, to reduce idling time, to heat or cool truck cabins, or to provide power for other equipment.
- Give directions to laborers who are packing goods and moving them onto trailers.
- Operate trucks equipped with snowplows or sander attachments to maintain roads in winter weather.
- Drive electric or hybrid-electric powered trucks or alternative fuel-powered trucks to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
- Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
- Wrap and secure goods using pads, packing paper, containers, or straps.
- Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
- Signal workers to move loaded cars.
- Handle high voltage sources and hang electrical cables.
- Drive loaded shuttle cars to ramps and move controls to discharge loads into mine cars or onto conveyors.
- Pry off loose material from roofs and move it into the paths of machines, using crowbars.
- Move trailing electrical cables clear of obstructions, using rubber safety gloves.
- Control conveyors that run the entire length of shuttle cars to distribute loads as loading progresses.
- Examine roadway and clear obstructions from the path of travel.
- Drive machines into piles of material blasted from working faces.
- Operate levers to move conveyor booms or shovels so that mine contents such as coal, rock, and ore can be placed into cars or onto conveyors.
- Clean, fuel, service, and perform safety checks on all equipment, and repair and replace parts as necessary.
- Clean hoppers, and clean spillage from tracks, walks, driveways, and conveyor decking.
- Oil, lubricate, and adjust conveyors, crushers, and other equipment, using hand tools and lubricating equipment.
- Monitor loading processes to ensure that materials are loaded according to specifications.
- Measure, weigh, or verify levels of rock, gravel, or other excavated material to prevent equipment overloads.
- Replace hydraulic hoses, headlight bulbs, and gathering-arm teeth.
- Stop gathering arms when cars are full.
- Move mine cars into position for loading and unloading, using pinchbars inserted under car wheels to position cars under loading spouts.
- Advance machines to gather material and convey it into cars.
- Guide and stop cars by switching, applying brakes, or placing scotches, or wooden wedges, between wheels and rails.
- Observe and record car numbers, carriers, customers, tonnages, and grades and conditions of material.
- Read written instructions or confer with supervisors about schedules and materials to be moved.
- Notify switching departments to deliver specific types of cars.
- Inspect boarding and locking of open-top box cars and wedging of side-drop and hopper cars to prevent loss of material in transit.
- Maintain records of materials moved.
- Direct other workers to move stakes, place blocks, position anchors or cables, or move materials.
- Push or ride cars down slopes, or hook cars to cables and control cable drum brakes, to ease cars down inclines.
- Open and close bottom doors of cars to dump contents.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines.
- Signal workers to move loaded cars.
- Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.
- Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations.
- Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
- Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
- Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
- Consult maps, charts, weather reports, or navigation equipment to determine and direct ship movements.
- Steer and operate vessels, using radios, depth finders, radars, lights, buoys, or lighthouses.
- Operate ship-to-shore radios to exchange information needed for ship operations.
- Dock or undock vessels, sometimes maneuvering through narrow spaces, such as locks.
- Stand watches on vessels during specified periods while vessels are under way.
- Inspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations.
- Read gauges to verify sufficient levels of hydraulic fluid, air pressure, or oxygen.
- Report to appropriate authorities any violations of federal or state pilotage laws.
- Provide assistance in maritime rescue operations.
- Measure depths of water, using depth-measuring equipment.
- Signal crew members or deckhands to rig tow lines, open or close gates or ramps, or pull guard chains across entries.
- Maintain boats or equipment on board, such as engines, winches, navigational systems, fire extinguishers, or life preservers.
- Maintain records of daily activities, personnel reports, ship positions and movements, ports of call, weather and sea conditions, pollution control efforts, or cargo or passenger status.
- Advise ships' masters on harbor rules and customs procedures.
- Observe loading or unloading of cargo or equipment to ensure that handling and storage are performed according to specifications.
- Calculate sightings of land, using electronic sounding devices and following contour lines on charts.
- Learn to operate new technology systems and procedures through instruction, simulators, or models.
- Direct or coordinate crew members or workers performing activities such as loading or unloading cargo, steering vessels, operating engines, or operating, maintaining, or repairing ship equipment.
- Arrange for ships to be fueled, restocked with supplies, or repaired.
- Supervise crews in cleaning or maintaining decks, superstructures, or bridges.
- Purchase supplies or equipment.
- Perform various marine duties, such as checking for oil spills or other pollutants around ports or harbors or patrolling beaches.
- Assign watches or living quarters to crew members.
- Interview and hire crew members.
- Conduct safety drills such as man overboard or fire drills.
- Signal passing vessels, using whistles, flashing lights, flags, or radios.
- Tow and maneuver barges or signal tugboats to tow barges to destinations.
- Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
- Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
- Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
- Tie barges together into tow units for tugboats to handle, inspecting barges periodically during voyages and disconnecting them when destinations are reached.
- Attach hoses and operate pumps to transfer substances to and from liquid cargo tanks.
- Handle lines to moor vessels to wharfs, to tie up vessels to other vessels, or to rig towing lines.
- Read pressure and temperature gauges or displays and record data in engineering logs.
- Stand watch in ships' bows or bridge wings to look for obstructions in a ship's path or to locate navigational aids, such as buoys or lighthouses.
- Maintain government-issued certifications, as required.
- Examine machinery to verify specified pressures or lubricant flows.
- Maintain a ship's engines under the direction of the ship's engineering officers.
- Break out, rig, and stow cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, or running gear.
- Lubricate machinery, equipment, or engine parts, such as gears, shafts, or bearings.
- Lower and man lifeboats when emergencies occur.
- Sweep, mop, and wash down decks to remove oil, dirt, and debris, using brooms, mops, brushes, and hoses.
- Splice and repair ropes, wire cables, or cordage, using marlinespikes, wire cutters, twine, and hand tools.
- Chip and clean rust spots on decks, superstructures, or sides of ships, using wire brushes and hand or air chipping machines.
- Provide engineers with assistance in repairing or adjusting machinery.
- Operate, maintain, or repair ship equipment, such as winches, cranes, derricks, or weapons system.
- Paint or varnish decks, superstructures, lifeboats, or sides of ships.
- Give directions to crew members engaged in cleaning wheelhouses or quarterdecks.
- Stand by wheels when ships are on automatic pilot, and verify accuracy of courses, using magnetic compasses.
- Steer ships under the direction of commanders or navigating officers or direct helmsmen to steer, following designated courses.
- Stand gangway watches to prevent unauthorized persons from boarding ships while in port.
- Record data in ships' logs, such as weather conditions or distances traveled.
- Measure depth of water in shallow or unfamiliar waters, using leadlines, and telephone or shout depth information to vessel bridges.
- Clean and polish wood trim, brass, or other metal parts.
- Participate in shore patrols.
- Relay specified signals to other ships, using visual signaling devices, such as blinker lights or semaphores.
- Load or unload materials, vehicles, or passengers from vessels.
- Overhaul lifeboats or lifeboat gear and lower or raise lifeboats with winches or falls.
- Position lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids, or boxes and secure material or products for transport to designated areas.
- Manually or mechanically load or unload materials from pallets, skids, platforms, cars, lifting devices, or other transport vehicles.
- Move levers or controls that operate lifting devices, such as forklifts, lift beams with swivel-hooks, hoists, or elevating platforms, to load, unload, transport, or stack material.
- Move controls to drive gasoline- or electric-powered trucks, cars, or tractors and transport materials between loading, processing, and storage areas.
- Inspect product load for accuracy and safely move it around the warehouse or facility to ensure timely and complete delivery.
- Signal workers to discharge, dump, or level materials.
- Weigh materials or products and record weight or other production data on tags or labels.
- Perform routine maintenance on vehicles or auxiliary equipment, such as cleaning, lubricating, recharging batteries, fueling, or replacing liquefied-gas tank.
- Operate or tend automatic stacking, loading, packaging, or cutting machines.
- Turn valves and open chutes to dump, spray, or release materials from dump cars or storage bins into hoppers.
- Hook tow trucks to trailer hitches and fasten attachments, such as graders, plows, rollers, or winch cables to tractors, using hitchpins.
- Position lifting devices under, over, or around loaded pallets, skids, or boxes and secure material or products for transport to designated areas.
- Manually or mechanically load or unload materials from pallets, skids, platforms, cars, lifting devices, or other transport vehicles.
- Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.
- Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.
- Move freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles, ships, or containers, by hand or using trucks, tractors, or other equipment.
- Sort cargo before loading and unloading.
- Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
- Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.
- Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.
- Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded.
- Attach slings, hooks, or other devices to lift cargo and guide loads.
- Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.
- Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.
- Guide loads being lifted to prevent swinging.
- Wash out cargo containers or storage areas.
- Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.
- Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use.
- Shovel material, such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete, into containers or bins or onto conveyors.
- Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.
- Carry out general yard duties, such as performing shunting on railway lines.
- Rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.
- Adjust or replace equipment parts, such as rollers, belts, plugs, or caps, using hand tools.
- Bundle and band material such as fodder or tobacco leaves, using banding machines.
- Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.
- Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.
- Thread strapping through strapping tools and secure battens with strapping to form protective pallets around extrusions.
- Load, unload, or adjust materials or products on conveyors by hand, by using lifts, hoists, and scoops, or by opening gates, chutes, or hoppers.
- Inform supervisors of equipment malfunctions that need to be addressed.
- Observe conveyor operations and monitor lights, dials, and gauges to maintain specified operating levels and to detect equipment malfunctions.
- Record production data such as weights, types, quantities, and storage locations of materials, as well as equipment performance problems and downtime.
- Stop equipment or machinery and clear jams, using poles, bars, and hand tools, or remove damaged materials from conveyors.
- Distribute materials, supplies, and equipment to work stations, using lifts and trucks.
- Observe packages moving along conveyors to identify packages, detect defective packaging, and perform quality control.
- Collect samples of materials or products, checking them to ensure conformance to specifications or sending them to laboratories for analysis.
- Position deflector bars, gates, chutes, or spouts to divert flow of materials from one conveyor onto another conveyor.
- Repair or replace equipment components or parts such as blades, rolls, and pumps.
- Manipulate controls, levers, and valves to start pumps, auxiliary equipment, or conveyors, and to adjust equipment positions, speeds, timing, and material flows.
- Weigh or measure materials and products, using scales or other measuring instruments, or read scales on conveyors that continually weigh products, to verify specified tonnages and prevent overloads.
- Read production and delivery schedules, and confer with supervisors, to determine sorting and transfer procedures, arrangement of packages on pallets, and destinations of loaded pallets.
- Operate consoles to control automatic palletizing equipment.
- Press console buttons to deflect packages to predetermined accumulators or reject lines.
- Clean, sterilize, and maintain equipment, machinery, and work stations, using hand tools, shovels, brooms, chemicals, hoses, and lubricants.
- Affix identifying information to materials or products, using hand tools.
- Move, assemble, and connect hoses or nozzles to material hoppers, storage tanks, conveyor sections or chutes, and pumps.
- Contact workers in work stations or other departments to request movement of materials, products, or machinery, or to notify them of incoming shipments and their estimated delivery times.
- Measure dimensions of bundles, using rulers, and cut battens to required sizes, using power saws.
- Operate elevator systems in conjunction with conveyor systems.
- Join sections of conveyor frames at temporary working areas, and connect power units.
- Thread strapping through strapping tools and secure battens with strapping to form protective pallets around extrusions.
- Load, unload, or adjust materials or products on conveyors by hand, by using lifts, hoists, and scoops, or by opening gates, chutes, or hoppers.
- Signal transportation operators to stop or to proceed.
- Secure passengers for transportation by buckling seatbelts or fastening wheelchairs with tie-down straps.
- Provide boarding assistance to elderly, sick, or injured people.
- Respond to passengers' questions, requests, or complaints.
- Determine or facilitate seating arrangements.
- Provide customers with information on routes, gates, prices, timetables, terminals, or concourses.
- Perform equipment safety checks prior to departure.
- Issue and collect passenger boarding passes and transfers, tearing or punching tickets as necessary to prevent reuse.
- Greet passengers boarding transportation equipment and announce routes and stops.
- Count and verify tickets and seat reservations and record numbers of passengers boarding and disembarking.
- Explain and demonstrate safety procedures and safety equipment use.
- Open and close doors for passengers.
- Adjust window shades or seat cushions at the request of passengers.
- Transport baggage or coordinate transportation between assigned rooms, terminals, or platforms.
- Signal transportation operators to stop or to proceed.
- Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
- Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
- Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
- Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.
- Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.
- Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
- Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.
- Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
- Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
- Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.
- Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
- Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
- Check to ensure that documentation, such as procedure manuals or logbooks, are in the driver's cab and available for staff use.
- Monitor train loading procedures to ensure that freight or rolling stock are loaded or unloaded without damage.
- Drive diesel-electric rail-detector cars to transport rail-flaw-detecting machines over tracks.
- Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
- Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
- Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
- Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
- Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
- Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.
- Move materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, factory, or warehouse.
- Create or maintain inclines or ramps.
- Lubricate, adjust, or repair machinery and replace parts, such as gears, bearings, or bucket teeth.
- Handle slides, mud, or pit cleanings or maintenance.
- Direct workers engaged in placing blocks or outriggers to prevent capsizing of machines when lifting heavy loads.
- Measure and verify levels of rock or gravel, bases, or other excavated material.
- Direct ground workers engaged in activities such as moving stakes or markers, or changing positions of towers.
- Adjust dig face angles for varying overburden depths and set lengths.
- Drive machines to work sites.
- Perform manual labor to prepare or finish sites, such as shoveling materials by hand.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
- Guide aircraft to designated areas using hand signals, batons, or other methods.
- Apply de-icing fluid to aircraft from baskets lifted by truck-mounted cranes.
- Change aircraft oil, coolant, or other fluids.
- Clean aircraft interiors by picking up waste, wiping down windows, or vacuuming.
- Climb ladders to reach aircraft surfaces to be cleaned.
- Complete forms describing tasks completed.
- De-grease aircraft exteriors.
- Empty aircraft lavatory systems or refill them with sanitizer fluid.
- Inspect aircraft components to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Load baggage or cargo for crew or passengers.
- Mix cleaning compounds or solutions.
- Polish aircraft exteriors.
- Radio to flight dispatchers or other personnel to discuss incoming or outgoing aircraft.
- Refill aircraft potable water tanks.
- Refuel aircraft using hoses connected to fuel trucks.
- Remove exhaust stains from aircraft using cleaning fluids.
- Tow aircraft to gates or hangars using tugs, tractors, or other vehicles.
- Wash the aircraft exteriors using lifts, cranes, detergent, or other equipment.
- Guide aircraft to designated areas using hand signals, batons, or other methods.
- Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
- Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
- Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
- Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
- Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
- Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.
- Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.
- Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
- Inspect each car periodically during runs.
- Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
- Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.
- Verify accuracy of timekeeping instruments with engineers to ensure trains depart on time.
- Document and prepare reports of accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.
- Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.
- Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
- Supervise workers in the inspection and maintenance of mechanical equipment to ensure efficient and safe train operation.
- Supervise and coordinate crew activities to transport freight and passengers and to provide boarding, porter, maid, and meal services to passengers.
- Record departure and arrival times, messages, tickets and revenue collected, and passenger accommodations and destinations.
- Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers.
- Collect tickets, fares, or passes from passengers.
- Instruct workers to regulate air conditioning, lighting, and heating in passenger cars to ensure passengers' comfort.
- Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
- Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
- Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
- Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
- Apply and release hand brakes.
- Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
- Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
- Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
- Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.
- Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
- Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.
- Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.
- Receive, relay, and act upon instructions and inquiries from train operations and customer service center personnel.
- Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.
- Operate track switches, derails, automatic switches, and retarders to change routing of train or cars.
- Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty.
- Perform routine repair and maintenance duties.
- Drive locomotives to and from various stations in roundhouses to have locomotives cleaned, serviced, repaired, or supplied.
- Pull knuckles to open them for coupling.
- Provide assistance in aligning drawbars, using available equipment to lift, pull, or push on the drawbars.
- Ride on moving cars by holding onto grab irons and standing on ladder steps.
- Operate switching diesel engines to switch railroad cars, using remote controls.
- Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.
- Operate and control dinkey engines to transport and shunt cars at industrial or mine sites.
- Operate flatcars equipped with derricks or railcars to transport personnel or equipment.
- Provide assistance in the installation or repair of rails and ties.
- Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
