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Hoist and Winch Operators

SOC 53-7041.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers hoist and winch operation across construction, mining, and industrial material-handling environments, from supervised entry-level control tasks through executive-level operational leadership and workforce development.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Hoist and winch controls — identify and distinguish levers, pedals, and throttles under direct supervisor guidance at a construction or industrial site.
  2. Engine startup procedures — follow established steps to start diesel or electric hoist engines with direct oversight on a job site.
  3. Hand and audible signals — recognize and respond to basic hand, bell, and buzzer signals from co-workers during supervised lifting operations.
  4. Equipment gauges and indicators — observe and report readings on hoist gauges under direct instruction to verify safe operating conditions.
  5. Cable attachment procedures — assist in fastening and disconnecting cables or lines to loads using hand tools under close supervision.
  6. Load weight specifications — read and apply basic weight and size labels to select appropriate materials for hoisting under direction.
  7. Basic operational signals — listen and respond to loudspeaker or whistle commands to stop or start hoist drum movement in a supervised environment.
  8. Personal protective equipment — don and use required safety gear consistently while assisting with hoist and winch operations on an active job site.
  9. Material positioning assistance — support other workers in manually repositioning loads and materials safely under a lead operator's guidance.
  10. Work area awareness — monitor immediate surroundings for hazards and report concerns to a supervisor during entry-level hoist operations.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Hoist drum operation — wind and unwind cable on drums using levers and pedals with reduced oversight during routine lifts at a construction or mining site.
  2. Multi-signal interpretation — interpret and act on hand, bell, buzzer, and telephone signals simultaneously to regulate hoist speed during standard operations.
  3. Gauge and depth monitoring — routinely observe equipment gauges, dial indicators, and cable marks to verify load depth and position without constant supervision.
  4. Load selection and verification — independently select loads according to weight and size specifications and confirm compliance before initiating a lift.
  5. Cable connection and disconnection — attach and detach cables and rigging lines to varied loads using hand tools efficiently during routine material handling cycles.
  6. Compressed-air and electric hoist operation — operate multiple drive types including compressed-air and electric hoists to move cages, derricks, or railcars across familiar task conditions.
  7. Equipment repositioning — move and reposition hoists or winches using hand trucks or light vehicles to prepare for successive lifts on a job site.
  8. Co-worker coordination — signal and guide ground crew members loading or unloading materials to maintain safe and efficient workflow during standard shifts.
  9. Time-aware task sequencing — manage hoist operation schedules to meet project timelines while maintaining safety standards during predictable daily workflows.
  10. Routine maintenance awareness — identify and report common equipment wear or minor malfunctions to maintenance personnel before they escalate on a worksite.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full-range hoist operation — autonomously operate compressed-air, diesel, electric, gasoline, and steam-driven hoists across cableways, draglines, and skip systems in complex or non-routine site conditions.
  2. Non-routine signal management — interpret ambiguous or conflicting signals from multiple sources and make independent control adjustments to ensure safe load movement during high-demand operations.
  3. Precision load control — apply arm-hand steadiness and control precision to position heavy or oversized loads accurately in confined or hazardous work areas without supervisory direction.
  4. Complex load assessment — evaluate non-standard load configurations for weight distribution and rigging risk, selecting appropriate cables and attachment methods independently.
  5. Equipment troubleshooting — diagnose and resolve mechanical irregularities in hoist or winch systems by interpreting gauge anomalies and operational feedback during live operations.
  6. Multi-crew coordination — direct ground workers, signal personnel, and equipment operators simultaneously to execute complex or multi-stage lifts safely and efficiently.
  7. Depth and positioning judgment — use depth perception and near-vision monitoring to verify precise load placement in underground or overhead environments without secondary confirmation.
  8. Adaptive machine operation — adjust operating technique across varying load types, environmental conditions, and equipment configurations to maintain throughput and safety on unfamiliar sites.
  9. Incident response — apply critical thinking and rapid judgment to halt operations, assess risk, and implement corrective action when unexpected hazards or equipment failures arise.
  10. Documentation and reporting — record operational data, incident notes, and equipment status using word processing or spreadsheet software to maintain accurate site records.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Operational standards leadership — establish and enforce hoist and winch operating procedures, safety protocols, and performance benchmarks across a department or multi-site operation.
  2. Workforce training development — design and deliver structured on-the-job training programs for emerging and developing operators, calibrating instruction to individual skill gaps on active job sites.
  3. Cross-functional coordination — serve as the primary liaison between hoist operations, site management, rigging crews, and safety officers to align complex lift plans with project objectives.
  4. Risk governance — lead pre-lift planning reviews and hazard assessments for high-consequence or critical lifts, applying advanced judgment to approve or halt operations based on site conditions.
  5. Equipment fleet management — oversee maintenance scheduling, capability assessment, and replacement planning for hoists, winches, and associated rigging equipment across an organization.
  6. Performance monitoring systems — develop and manage gauge-reading, load-tracking, and operational reporting frameworks using spreadsheet tools to drive data-informed decision-making site-wide.
  7. Mentorship and competency evaluation — assess operator proficiency at all levels, provide structured feedback, and certify readiness for independent or advanced task assignments.
  8. Regulatory and compliance leadership — interpret and apply OSHA, MSHA, and industry-specific hoisting regulations to ensure organizational compliance and lead audit readiness across all crews.
  9. Incident investigation and correction — lead root-cause analysis of near-misses or equipment failures, produce findings reports, and implement systemic corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  10. Strategic resource allocation — plan crew assignments, equipment deployment, and shift scheduling across large-scale projects to optimize operational efficiency and minimize downtime.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Air Hoist Operator · Air Lift Operator · Boat Hoist Operator · Boat Loader · Boat Puller · Bridge Rigger · Building Rigger · Cable Operator · Cable Way Operator · Cage Operator · Cage Tender · Casing Puller
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingOperations MonitoringMonitoringTime ManagementOperation and ControlActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationInstructing
Knowledge domains
Mechanical
Abilities
Problem SensitivityArm-Hand SteadinessControl PrecisionReaction TimeDepth PerceptionNear VisionMultilimb CoordinationDeductive ReasoningOral ComprehensionOral Expression
Work styles
DependabilityCautiousnessAttention to DetailStress ToleranceSelf-ControlIntegrity
Technology
Spreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Move levers, pedals, and throttles to stop, start, and regulate speeds of hoist or winch drums in response to hand, bell, buzzer, telephone, loud-speaker, or whistle signals, or by observing dial indicators or cable marks.
  2. Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
  3. Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
  4. Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
  5. Move or reposition hoists, winches, loads and materials, manually or using equipment and machines such as trucks, cars, and hand trucks.
  6. Select loads or materials according to weight and size specifications.
  7. Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials.
  8. Attach, fasten, and disconnect cables or lines to loads, materials, and equipment, using hand tools.
CIP education codes
49.0202

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.