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Cement Manufacturing Workers perform various tasks in the production of cement, which is a processed stone product used as an ingredient in concrete, mortar, and stucco. Although there are several types of cement, about 95% of the cement produced in the United States is Portland cement.

JOB DUTIES

Cement Manufacturing Workers may:

Tend machines that crush, grind, pulverize, or mix materials used in making cement; such as limestone, gypsum, silica, and shale

Observe the operation of pumps, separators, coolers, and dust collectors

Control conveyors called screens which allow crushed rocks to fall through grates to secondary crushers

Monitor pumps, motors, and conveyors which supply raw material and power to slurry tanks

Control the operation of kilns in which dry raw material or wet slurry is burned to form a cement clinker

Monitor stationary pumps in pneumatic conveyor systems that move cement from one bin to another

Monitor control room panels and consoles

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Cement Manufacturing Workers may specialize in these areas:

570.685-046 MILLERS tend machines that crush and mix materials used to make cement, such as limestone, gypsum, shale, and silica. They may be designated according to the type of mill they tend (ball-mill operator, rod-mill operator, tube-mill operator, or hammer-mill operator).

921.662-018 SCREEN OPERATORS control conveyors called screens which allow crushed rock to fall through grates to secondary crushers, where the rocks are further reduced in size.

570.685-010 AUXILIARY-EQUIPMENT TENDERS monitor pumps, motors, and conveyors which supply raw materials and power to slurry tanks to mix slurry (a mixture of water and ground raw material) before it goes to kilns.

573.382-010 ROTARY-KILN OPERATORS control kilns in which dry, blended raw material or wet slurry is burned to form a cement clinker. The clinker is then mixed with specific amounts of gypsum and finely ground to form a finished cement.

579.685-050 SILO TENDERS monitor stationary pumps in a pneumatic conveyor system that moves fine-ground raw materials or finished cement from one bin to another prior to further processing.

921.565-010 CEMENT LOADERS monitor stationary pumps which move bulk cement from unloading bins into tank trucks, railroad cars, and ships.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOISCRIPTS:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Cement Manufacturing Workers work with or around others and are under the direction of a supervisor. They usually work indoors, but some outdoor work may be required in loading or storage areas. Depending on their job, they may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time.

They are exposed to intense heat, excessive noise from machinery, and dust in the air from crushing and grinding operations. They also risk injury from working around high-voltage electric current and moving machinery. In spite of these hazards working conditions, Cement manufacturing is one of the safest of the heavy industries in the United States. Many safeguards are used and employees are issued personal protective equipment including goggles, hard hats, and safety shoes. They are also given intensive safety education training.

The normal workweek is 5 days, 40 hours. However, overtime is often required. Some Workers may work a 6-day week. Most Cement Manufacturing Workers belong to a union. The largest union is The United Cement, Lime and Gypsum Workers International Union (AFL-CIO). Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with things and objects

• Performing routine, organized tasks

• Performing work that involves equipment/machines/processes/methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Perform repetitive tasks

• Work within precise standards of accuracy

• Follow written or spoken instructions

• Make decisions based on measurable information

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If there is a mass of 400 kilograms on a cement slab 4 feet by 4 feet and 600 kilograms on a slab 8 feet by 8 feet, what slab has to be thicker?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

An observed change in motion, including motion starting from rest, is evidence of a force.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report to your supervisor explaining any problems that might have occurred on the job that day.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to lay a slab of cement, causing the least amount of damage to the customers yard.

Individuals with high school or trade school training in machine operation and maintenance, and electricity and electronics are preferred by employers because of increasing mechanization in the industry. Applicants must pass a thorough physical exam, including x-rays, to ensure that no physical condition exists which would result in injury or disability.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOISCRIPT:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Part-time or summer employment in the offices of cement manufacturing plants would provide opportunities to observe manufacturing operations or conditions. Tours through cement manufacturing plants may also be arranged.

               School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Cement Manufacturing Worker employer

internships

volunteer work with a Cement Manufacturing Worker employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry into the field is direct application to employers. Assistance may be available from local unions which represent Cement Manufacturing Workers and local offices of Michigan Works!. Openings may also be listed in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

The earnings of Cement Manufacturing Workers vary depending on the occupation of the Worker and the geographic location of the employer. Hourly earnings of production workers in the cement manufacturing industry are higher than the average for all manufacturing industries.

Nationally, in late 1998, production workers in the cement manufacturing industry had average hourly earnings of $19.19 compared to average hourly earnings of $13.60 for production workers in all manufacturing industries.

In Michigan, basic union hourly earnings for selected Cement Manufacturing Workers at two large companies in mid 1999 were:

• = includes seasonal workers

Some Cement Manufacturing Workers also receive overtime pay at 1 1/2 to 2 times their base rate of pay. Some Cement Manufacturing Workers receive up to 3 times their base rate of pay for overtime worked on Sundays or holidays. Workers who work afternoons or evenings receive extra pay in the form of shift differential pay. Those Workers assigned hazardous duties usually receive a higher rate of pay. In addition, most unionized Cement Manufacturing Workers receive a cost-of-living allowance, which depends on increases in the consumer price index.

Because of provisions specified in union contracts, employers are required to contribute to union-sponsored trust funds to support fringe benefits such as life, health, dental, disability, and accident insurance. Employers are also required by union contracts to contribute to union-sponsored pension plans.

Workers usually start in unskilled or semiskilled jobs. They are usually trained on the job. Cement Manufacturing Workers who increase their skills through experience or additional training may advance to skilled machine operator positions. Some advance to supervisor. Advancement to supervisor depends primarily on work experience, ability to supervise, and availability of job openings.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were approximately 17,400 Cement Manufacturing Production Workers employed in 1997. In the short term, demand for cement will continue to be dependent on cyclical changes in the construction industry. However, new substitute materials, such as slag cements, sulphur concretes, and polymers may reduce the demand for portland cement. This, along with the trend of importing cement rather than modernizing and upgrading existing domestic facilities, has adversely affected opportunities for Cement Manufacturing Workers. Many of the small, less efficient cement manufacturing plants and kilns have closed in recent years.

The exact number of cement manufacturing workers in Michigan is unknown. They all worked for one of the four cement manufacturing companies in the state. In late 1997, Michigan was the fifth largest cement producing state in the country.

Currently, strong growth is occurring in the cement industry and, therefore, for the employment of Cement Production Workers in Michigan through the late 1990's. Expectations are for record levels of cement requirements in the next decade due to the demand for new construction, renovation, and repair work (particularly road building, commercial building, and water and waste systems). Fluctuations in the demand for cement depend mostly on general economic conditions and on government policy that affects the availability of funds for cement related construction activities.

Some of the increase in the employment of cement production workers will be offset by technological improvements, including increased automation, new manufacturing processes, and the use of centralized process controls. Cement plant closings in Michigan have also adversely affected the number of openings for Cement Manufacturing Workers.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development