Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Crushing Machine Operator
What crushing machine operators actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a crushing machine operator?
Walk the plant. From there, the day usually includes run crushers and mills, control feed rates, and monitor screens. Full time, often long seasonal shifts.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a crushing machine operator working full time.
- Walk the plant.
- Start conveyors and crushers.
- Adjust feed rate.
- Pull a gradation sample.
- Clear a chute jam.
- Inspect liners.
- Log tonnage.
Where crushing machine operators work
Operators work at quarries, mines and processing plants, often outdoors.
Hours and schedule
Full time, often long seasonal shifts.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Run crushers and mills
- Control feed rates
- Monitor screens
- Check product size
- Clear jams
- Inspect wear parts
- Record production
Tools you’ll use every day
- Jaw and cone crushers
- Ball mills
- Screens
- Conveyors
- Sieve shakers
- Control panels
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- No degree needed
- Steady construction demand
- Heavy equipment work
- Overtime
What’s hard
- Dust and noise
- Weather
- Heavy hazards
- Long seasonal days
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like heavy machinery
- I don’t mind dust
- I work outdoors
- I’m safety-focused
- I can work long days
- I don’t need a degree
Not sure? Take the free Crushing Machine Operator fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Lock out before clearing jams
- Wear respirators for silica
- Guard conveyors
- Follow MSHA rules