Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Overview
Tank car, truck, and ship loaders move massive amounts of materials like chemicals, coal, and grain between different types of transportation vehicles using specialized equipment and computer systems. You'll operate pumps, conveyors, and loading equipment while working as part of a team to ensure products flow safely and efficiently. This job requires strong attention to detail for recording data, checking weights, and testing for leaks to maintain safety standards. Many loaders work in industrial facilities where they coordinate with other workers and use both manual skills and modern technology to handle millions of tons of cargo each year.
Did you know?
Workers must complete extensive safety training and maintain certifications to comply with OSHA and DOT regulations when handling hazardous materials and operating loading equipment.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$57,006.86 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast Growing
Top Skill
Technology Design
Key Responsibilities
- Operate ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment.
- Operate industrial trucks, tractors, loaders, and other equipment to transport materials to and from transportation vehicles and loading docks, and to store and retrieve materials in warehouses.
- Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
- Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.
- Copy and attach load specifications to loaded tanks.
- Perform general warehouse activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory, and weighing and checking materials.
- Connect ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.
- Remove and replace tank car dome caps, or direct other workers in their removal and replacement.
- Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.
- Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
- Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.
- Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.
- Lower gauge rods into tanks or read meters to verify contents, temperatures, and volumes of liquid loads.
- Unload cars containing liquids by connecting hoses to outlet plugs and pumping compressed air into cars to force liquids into storage tanks.
- Clean interiors of tank cars or tank trucks, using mechanical spray nozzles.
- Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.
- Test samples for specific gravity, using hydrometers, or send samples to laboratories for testing.
- Test vessels for leaks, damage, and defects, and repair or replace defective parts as necessary.
- Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.
Career Considerations
Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Workers must complete extensive safety training and maintain certifications to comply with OSHA and DOT regulations when handling hazardous materials and operating loading equipment.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The job requires significant physical strength and stamina, with work often performed outdoors in various weather conditions and potentially hazardous environments.
Economic Sensitivity and Job Stability
Employment opportunities are closely tied to manufacturing, shipping, and logistics sectors, making positions vulnerable to economic downturns and industry fluctuations.