TransportationO*NET: 53-7041.00
Will AI Replace Hoist and Winch Operators?
Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
82out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
82/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
8
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (1)
- Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
👤Requires Humans (1)
- Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
⚡AI-Assisted (6)
- Move levers, pedals, and throttles to stop, start, and regulate speeds of hoist or winch drums in response to hand, bell, buzzer, telephone, loud-speaker, or whistle signals, or by observing dial indicators or cable marks.
- Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
- Move or reposition hoists, winches, loads and materials, manually or using equipment and machines such as trucks, cars, and hand trucks.
- Select loads or materials according to weight and size specifications.
- Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials.
- Attach, fasten, and disconnect cables or lines to loads, materials, and equipment, using hand tools.
Key Skills Analysis
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Management of Personnel ResourcesAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Repairing
Importance: 2.88/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Hoist and Winch Operators have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 82/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research