Stone splitter

Stone splitters operate and maintain machines that split stone. They manipulate stone into different forms such as blocks, cobbles, tiles and concrete products. 

Stone splitters typically do the following:

• Cut grooves along outlines, using chisels.
• Drill holes along outlines, using jackhammers.
• Drill holes into sides of stones broken from masses, insert dogs or attach slings, and direct removal of stones.
• Insert wedges and feathers into holes, and drive wedges with sledgehammers to split stone sections from masses.
• Locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut.
• Mark dimensions or outlines on stone prior to cutting, using rules and chalk lines.
• Remove pieces of stone from larger masses, using jackhammers, wedges, and other tools.
• Cut slabs of stone into sheets that will be used for floors or counters.

The following job titles also refer to stone splitter:

splitting machine operative
stone splitting machine worker
stone splitting machine operative
stone sawyer
stone breaker
cobble stone splitter
stone fabricator
block-maker
splitting machine worker
stone splitting machine operator

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as stone splitter. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Stone splitter is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to stone splitter.

stone driller
stone planer
mineral crushing operator
nailing machine operator
V-belt finisher

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of stone splitter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of stone splitter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

automated assembly line operator
pulp control operator
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
industrial robot controller
precision mechanics supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of stone splitter.

• Types of stone for working: Different types of stone that stonemasons and other stone workers use to process into building materials. The mechanical properties of stone, such as their weight, tensile strength, durability. Economical properties such as cost, transport and sourcing.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

These skills are necessary for the role of stone splitter.

• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Remove processed workpiece: Remove individual workpieces after processing, from the manufacturing machine or the machine tool. In case of a conveyor belt this involves quick, continuous movement.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• Tend stone splitting machine: Tend the machine which splits concrete stone into building blocks by positioning the stone against the end stops and by depressing the pedal to lower the blade.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Determine location of the split: Examine the stone to determine the direction of the grain and the position of the cutting blade or of the holes that will receive the plugs and feathers.
• Supply machine: Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
• Maneuver stone blocks: Place blocks of stone in the correct position of the machine bed using electric hoist, wooden blocks and wedges.
• Set end stops: Set end stops according to the width or length of the cut and measure the distance from the blade to make sure the stone will be split conforming to the requirements.
• Apply health and safety standards: Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
• Measure materials: Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of stone splitter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Hydraulics: The power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of stone splitter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Brush the equipment: Brush the equipment in order to avoid powder accumulation which may become dangerous.
• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Supply machine with appropriate tools: Supply the machine with the necessary tools and items for a particular production purpose. Monitor the stock and replenish when needed.
• Operate forklift: Operate a forklift, a vehicle with a pronged device in front for lifting and carrying heavy loads.
• Use traditional stone splitting techniques: Drill holes in a large stone and insert the plugs and feathers. Strike the plugs several times until a crack appears.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Dispose of cutting waste material: Dispose of possibly hazardous waste material created in the cutting process, such as swarf, scrap and slugs, sort according to regulations, and clean up workplace.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
• Sharpen edged tools: Identify dull edges to sharp tools, or any defect in the edge. Use appropriate equipment to safely and effectively sharpen the tool. Maintain and protect sharpened tools. Report irreparable faults to the appropriate person.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Operate hydraulic machinery controls: Use correctly the controls of specialized machinery by turning valves, handwheels, or rheostats to move and control flow of fuels, water, and dry or liquid binders to machines.
• Operate lifting equipment: Transport heavy objects using lifting equipment such as cranes, forklifts etc.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Mark stone workpieces: Mark planes, lines and points onto a stone workpiece to show where material will be removed.
• Set up the controller of a machine: Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.

8114 – Cement, stone and other mineral products machine operators

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References

1. ESCO
2. Rock Splitter, Quarry Job Description, Duties and Jobs – CareerPlanner.com