Dorinda Warren

Explosives operators at the grade 8 level apply a good working knowledge of most machines used in explosives operations and the ability to adjust machine controls to assure quality products. For example, operating powder kettles or propellant mixers, correlate factors such as mixer current, elapsed mixing time, the temperature of the mix, and visual indications of powder texture to judge when the conditions specified in the standard operating procedures have been matched and then perform required adjustments such as adding solvent, changing mixing speed, or adjusting temperature. Operating lathes to demand projectiles, they place the shell in preset jigs, advance the tool carriage, and take the cuts necessary to remove or modify the band. Operating washout units to remove explosives, they operate valves to regulate the temperature and pressure of steam or hot water at the cleaning jets and control the flow of explosives through settling tanks. They coordinate the work of lower-grade employees at other stations by operating multistation cartridge loading machines. They make minor adjustments to control the machine speed, the amount of powder inserted, the amount of crimping, etc., as indicated by visual checks and detector devices. Explosives operators are familiar with many types of explosives or munitions; for example, they can recognize the proper feel of mixes such as styphnate, tetrazine, or lead azide to tell whether proper moisture, texture, and cleanliness are achieved and can identify various types of explosives in use and to understand and apply approved methods of working them, such as temperature, moisture, and standard mixes. Explosives operators know and follow standard operating and safety procedures to carry out explosives operations without the need for supervisory review of work product, other than spot-check for quality control requirements, and can apply oral instructions, sketches, specifications, and occasional blueprints to carry out new or changed assignments, using the supervisor's explanation in general terms of expected changes to established procedures.

The grade 7 operators set up, adjust, and operate a variety of powered machines that usually contain several cutting heads, control surfaces, or other attachments. For example, they collect and lay out the materials to be finished, set up and adjust the required devices, and insert materials while operating two or more different types of powered bindery machines such as multiple head drills, punches, staplers, and guillotine cutters with manually operated clamps and back gages to trim, assemble, and package printed material by customer requirements. The work at this level involves the use and operation of machines that require more intricate setups and adjustments than described at the grade 5 level. For example, the grade 7 operators precisely adjust mechanically linked stapler, drill, or punch mechanisms to accommodate differing paper weights, sizes, and textures and to conform with specified hole and margin tolerances. They usually adjust the back gages and guide devices while operating cutting or trimming machines. They also adjust suction feed and conveyor mechanisms while assisting higher-graded operators during the setup and operation of collating machines. The grade 7 operators apply a working knowledge of the sizes, kinds, weights, and colors of papers. They also apply knowledge of the operating procedures and skill in the use of bindery machines that staple, drill, punch, cut, and bind such materials as books, magazines, maps, catalogs, folders, and leaflets. The operators perform minor repairs by removing and replacing worn parts and perform periodic maintenance such as oiling, greasing, cleaning, adjusting, and sharpening cutting mechanisms according to manufacturers' requirements. The grade 7 operators use a variety of standard hand tools to set up, adjust, and service the machines. In comparison with the repetitive nature of the grade 5 bindery machine work assignments, the grade 7 operators complete work assignments by customers' job orders or specialized work requests. Occasionally, they assist and work under the guidance of, a higher-graded operator during the production of duplicated printed materials that require the use of powered-semiautomatic paper cutters, folders, and collating machines. When required, grade 7 operators may, in addition to the operation of powered bindery machines, perform a variety of handwork.

The grade 7 operators set up, adjust, and operate a variety of powered machines that usually contain several cutting heads, control surfaces, or other attachments. For example, they collect and lay out the materials to be finished, set up and adjust the required devices, and insert materials while operating two or more different types of powered bindery machines such as multiple head drills, punches, staplers, and guillotine cutters with manually operated clamps and back gages to trim, assemble, and package printed material by customer requirements. The work at this level involves the use and operation of machines that require more intricate setups and adjustments than described at the grade 5 level. For example, the grade 7 operators precisely adjust mechanically linked stapler, drill, or punch mechanisms to accommodate differing paper weights, sizes, and textures and to conform with specified hole and margin tolerances. They usually adjust the back gages and guide devices while operating cutting or trimming machines. They also adjust suction feed and conveyor mechanisms while assisting higher-graded operators during the setup and operation of collating machines. The grade 7 operators apply a working knowledge of the sizes, kinds, weights, and colors of papers. They also apply knowledge of the operating procedures and skill in the use of bindery machines that staple, drill, punch, cut, and bind such materials as books, magazines, maps, catalogs, folders, and leaflets. The operators perform minor repairs by removing and replacing worn parts and perform periodic maintenance such as oiling, greasing, cleaning, adjusting, and sharpening cutting mechanisms according to manufacturers' requirements. The grade 7 operators use a variety of standard hand tools to set up, adjust, and service the machines. In comparison with the repetitive nature of the grade 5 bindery machine work assignments, the grade 7 operators complete work assignments by customers' job orders or specialized work requests. Occasionally, they assist and work under the guidance of, a higher-graded operator during the production of duplicated printed materials that require the use of powered-semiautomatic paper cutters, folders, and collating machines. When required, grade 7 operators may, in addition to the operation of powered bindery machines, perform a variety of handwork.