Hand Grinding and Polishing Workers

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Also known as:
Hand Buffer, Hand Sander, Jewelry Grinder, Jewelry Polisher, Knife Grinder, Ring Polisher

See all Manufacturing Careers.

ABOUT HAND GRINDING OR POLISHING WORKER CAREERS

Video transcript

Assembly lines can take a manufactured item almost all the way to completion. In fact, some kinds of manufactured goods make it into packages without ever being touched by human hands. Many products however, require the finishing touches only hand grinders and polishers can provide.

Using hand tools and hand-held power tools, these workers grind and polish a variety of materials - metal, stone, clay, plastic, and glass objects or parts. They may also repair and maintain equipment, sharpen abrasive grinding tools, and apply solutions and chemicals.

Depending on the material you work with and the tools you use, you might be called a grinder, chipper, polisher, buffer, or sander. Usually this job requires only short-term, on-the-job training. To do it well, you need to be good with your hands and learn the steps of the particular process you're hired to accomplish. You need to be able to do the same task repeatedly, without losing attentiveness.

Working conditions can be noisy, and you'll probably be required to wear special gear, such as safety glasses, to protect you from flying particles. People who like making things find grinding and polishing work rewarding, because it brings the item closer to perfection.

SNAPSHOT

Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.

Leadership	HIGH
Critical decision making	LOW
Level of responsibilities	HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	MED
Communication with others	LOW
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	HIGH
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Remove completed workpieces from equipment or work tables, using hand tools, and place workpieces in containers.

Repair and maintain equipment, objects, or parts, using hand tools.

Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.

Move controls to adjust, start, or stop equipment during grinding and polishing processes.

Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.

Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.

Transfer equipment, objects, or parts to specified work areas, using moving devices.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Controlling Machines and Processes	Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Handling and Moving Objects	Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Performing General Physical Activities	Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

Production and Processing	Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mechanical	Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Engineering and Technology	Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

TOP SKILLS

Operation Monitoring	Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis	Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operation and Control	Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Equipment Maintenance	Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Troubleshooting	Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Repairing	Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.