Who is a machine shop worker and what do they do? His/her work consists of the less demanding work tasks in machining (turning, drilling, milling and grinding operations).
What are the activities of the machine shop worker? Separate work activities consist of attending to machines already adjusted to correct parameters (i.e. lathes, grinders, cutters, drills, boring and planing machines, various automatic and semi-automatic machines etc.), tool changing on machine tools, clamping of materials, measurements by fixed and calliper gauges, simple adjustments of machine tools, processing some pieces of work by hand auxiliary tasks (e.g. material & product handling, transporting, etc.), basic cleaning of plant and machinery.
Where is it done and under what conditions? This work is carried out in general engineering shops and plants, where working conditions involving grease, noise and dust, as well as, from time to time, shift-working must be taken into account.
What tools/equipment do they use? The most commonly used tools are lathes, and grinders, and other grinding machines, some of which are semi- or fully automatic. Metals are the materials usually processed.
What do you need to succeed? Basic qualifications for this job are education or training to skilled craft level, technical imagination, general fitness, and the ability to react quickly.