According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Hang ventilation tubing and ventilation curtains to ensure that the mining face area is kept properly ventilated. | 95% |
| Conduct methane gas checks to ensure breathing quality of air. | 94% |
| Check the stability of roof and rib support systems before mining face areas. | 94% |
| Operate mining machines to gather coal and convey it to floors or shuttle cars. | 91% |
| Drive machines into position at working faces. | 90% |
| Move controls to start and regulate movement of conveyors and to start and position drill cutters or torches. | 89% |
| Reposition machines to make additional holes or cuts. | 89% |
| Determine locations, boundaries, and depths of holes or channels to be cut. | 88% |
| Install casings to prevent cave-ins. | 87% |
| Observe and listen to equipment operation to detect binding or stoppage of tools or other equipment malfunctions. | 85% |
| Scrape or wash conveyors, using belt scrapers or belt washers, to minimize dust production. | 84% |
| Move levers to raise and lower hydraulic safety bars supporting roofs above machines until other workers complete framing. | 84% |
| Repair, oil, and adjust machines, and change cutting teeth, using wrenches. | 83% |
| Apply new technologies developed to minimize the environmental impact of coal mining. | 75% |
| Guide and assist crews laying track and resetting supports and blocking. | 73% |
