Will AI replace Hoist and Winch Operators?
AI can do 11% of the work Hoist and Winch Operators do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 2 of them. Robots can technically handle 8 physical tasks. 3 still need a person.
AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.
AI could do this next2 · 11% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials.7% of time
- Select loads or materials according to weight and size specifications.4% of time
Robots can technically do this8 · 73% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- 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.Robots: structured workplaces22% of time
- Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.Robots: structured workplaces15% of time
- Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.Robots: structured workplaces10% of time
- Attach, fasten, and disconnect cables or lines to loads, materials, and equipment, using hand tools.Robots: purpose built settings10% of time
- Move or reposition hoists, winches, loads and materials, manually or using equipment and machines such as trucks, cars, and hand trucks.Robots: structured workplaces7% of time
- Apply hand or foot brakes and move levers to lock hoists or winches.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
- Tend auxiliary equipment, such as jacks, slings, cables, or stop blocks, to facilitate moving items or materials for further processing.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Oil winch drums so that cables will wind smoothly.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time
Still needs a person3 · 16% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.10% of time
- Repair, maintain, and adjust equipment, using hand tools.5% of time
- Climb ladders to position and set up vehicle-mounted derricks.1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
Little of this work suits AI. The bigger change here is robots: today's robots can technically do 84% of the working time, though they are rarely cheap enough to replace people yet.
What to do next
- Get ahead on the 2 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 8 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 3 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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