More information from O*NET OnLine:

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders - 53-7121.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment. May perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products. May gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Load Out Person
Loader
Loader Operator
Loading Operator
Oil Movements Operator

PVC Loader (Polyvinyl Chloride Loader)
Rail Car Loader
Tank Car Loader
Tankerman
Truck Loader

SOC Occupation Groups

53-0000	Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
53-7000	Material Moving Workers
53-7120	Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
53-7121.00	Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

Related Occupations

47-5022.00	Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
47-5044.00	Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
49-3042.00	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines Bright Outlook
53-7011.00	Conveyor Operators and Tenders
53-7021.00	Crane and Tower Operators
53-7041.00	Hoist and Winch Operators
53-7051.00	Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
53-7062.00	Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
53-7063.00	Machine Feeders and Offbearers
53-7072.00	Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers

Tasks

Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
Clean interiors of tank cars or tank trucks, using mechanical spray nozzles.
Connect ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.
Copy and attach load specifications to loaded tanks.
Lower gauge rods into tanks or read meters to verify contents, temperatures, and volumes of liquid loads.
Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.
Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.
Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.
Operate industrial trucks, tractors, loaders, and other equipment to transport materials to and from transportation vehicles and loading docks, and to store and retrieve materials in warehouses.
Operate ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment.
Perform general warehouse activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory, and weighing and checking materials.
Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.
Remove and replace tank car dome caps, or direct other workers in their removal and replacement.
Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.
Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.
Test samples for specific gravity, using hydrometers, or send samples to laboratories for testing.
Test vessels for leaks, damage, and defects, and repair or replace defective parts as necessary.
Unload cars containing liquids by connecting hoses to outlet plugs and pumping compressed air into cars to force liquids into storage tanks.
Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.

Detailed Work Activities

Clean vessels or marine equipment.
Communicate with others to coordinate material handling or movement.
Connect cables or electrical lines.
Connect hoses to equipment or machinery.
Control pumps or pumping equipment.
Direct maintenance or repair activities.
Inspect cargo areas for cleanliness or condition.
Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
Install parts, assemblies, or attachments in transportation or material handling equipment.
Maintain material moving equipment in good working condition.
Mark materials or objects for identification.
Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
Monitor availability of equipment or supplies.
Monitor loading processes to ensure they are performed properly.
Monitor vehicle movement or location.
Operate conveyors or other industrial material moving equipment.
Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
Position material handling equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Test materials, solutions, or samples.
Verify information or specifications.
Weigh materials to ensure compliance with specifications.