Home / Tasks / Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning
In 14 of the 35 jobs that do this, AI or robots already show up on it, most often as robots doing it. In the other 21, there's no evidence yet. Jobs spend a median of 35m of an 8-hour shift on it, and about 3.7 million U.S. workers hold these jobs.
21No evidence yet
14Robots
Every job that does this
Each job words the task its own way. Minutes are that job's estimate for a typical shift; the label is the evidence for that job's version.
| Job and its version of the task | Per shift | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and TendersMonitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards. | 2h | No evidence yet |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersObserve operation of equipment to ensure continuity of flow, safety, and efficient operation, and to detect malfunctions. | 1h 54m | Robots |
| Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsMonitor all systems for normal running conditions, performing activities such as checking gauges to assess output or the effects of generator loading on other equipment. | 1h 38m | No evidence yet |
| Wellhead PumpersMonitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks. | 1h 18m | Robots |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass FibersObserve machine operations, control boards, and gauges to detect malfunctions such as clogged bushings and defective binder applicators. | 1h 18m | No evidence yet |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersMonitor process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems. | 1h 13m | Robots |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersMonitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions. | 1h 10m | Robots |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersObserve production or monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation. | 1h 4m | Robots |
| Printing Press OperatorsMonitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages. | 53m | No evidence yet |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and TendersObserve display screens, control panels, equipment, and cloth entering or exiting processes to determine if equipment is operating correctly. | 53m | No evidence yet |
| BakersCheck equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary. | 52m | No evidence yet |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsMonitor machine operation and control panel displays, and compare readings to specifications to detect malfunctions. | 47m | Robots |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, WoodMonitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation. | 46m | No evidence yet |
| Office Machine OperatorsMonitor machine operation, and make adjustments as necessary to ensure proper operation. | 44m | No evidence yet |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersObserve work and monitor gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that operators conform to production or processing standards. | 43m | No evidence yet |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsObserve and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly. | 36m | Robots |
| Power Distributors and DispatchersMonitor and record switchboard or control board readings to ensure that electrical or steam distribution equipment is operating properly. | 36m | No evidence yet |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticManipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms. | 35m | Robots |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and TendersRead dials and gauges on panel control boards to ascertain temperatures, alkalinities, and densities of mixtures, and turn valves to obtain specified mixtures. | 30m | Robots |
| MachinistsMonitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process. | 29m | Robots |
| Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticObserve gauges to ensure that machines are operating properly, making adjustments or stopping machines when problems occur. | 29m | No evidence yet |
| Utilities Meter ReadersInspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals. | 25m | Robots |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsInspect vessels to ensure efficient and safe operation of vessels and equipment and conformance to regulations. | 20m | No evidence yet |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersObserve machine gauges and equipment operation to detect defects or deviations from standards, and make adjustments as necessary. | 18m | No evidence yet |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersObserve meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications. | 18m | No evidence yet |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersObserve bobbins as they are winding and cut threads to remove loaded bobbins, using knives. | 18m | No evidence yet |
| Gas Plant OperatorsMonitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed. | 18m | Robots |
| Pump OperatorsTend auxiliary equipment such as water treatment and refrigeration units, and heat exchangers. | 17m | No evidence yet |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersRead dials or meters to verify that equipment is functioning at specified levels. | 12m | No evidence yet |
| Manufacturing PottersStart machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency. | 12m | Robots |
| Biomass Power Plant ManagersMonitor and operate communications systems, such as mobile radios. | 11m | No evidence yet |
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine OperatorsStart machines that automatically feed plates, stencils, or tapes through mechanisms, and observe machine operations to detect any malfunctions. | 6m | No evidence yet |
| Billing and Posting ClerksMonitor equipment to ensure proper operation. | 6m | No evidence yet |
| Power Plant OperatorsPlace standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system. | 6m | Robots |
| Public Safety TelecommunicatorsTest and adjust communication and alarm systems, and report malfunctions to maintenance units. | 5m | No evidence yet |
How to read this
This task type comes from O*NET's detailed work activities, which link similar tasks across jobs. A label applies to one job's version of the task: AI use comes from real AI conversations (Anthropic Economic Index) and robot evidence from deployments in real workplaces. "No evidence yet" may just mean the task is rare in the data. How we keep time.
See all 250 shared tasks, or find any job on the big clock.