skillfactor-pipeline/skills/household-appliances-repair-technician/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — household appliances repair technician

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 49-9031.00 (Home Appliance Repairers).

Task statements

• [Core] Disassemble appliances so that problems can be diagnosed and repairs can be made.
• [Core] Bill customers for repair work, and collect payment.
• [Core] Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds.
• [Core] Service and repair domestic electrical or gas appliances, such as clothes washers, refrigerators, stoves, and dryers.
• [Core] Replace worn and defective parts such as switches, bearings, transmissions, belts, gears, circuit boards, or defective wiring.
• [Core] Talk to customers or refer to work orders to establish the nature of appliance malfunctions.
• [Core] Reassemble units after repairs are made, making adjustments and cleaning and lubricating parts as needed.
• [Core] Record maintenance and repair work performed on appliances.
• [Core] Provide repair cost estimates, and recommend whether appliance repair or replacement is a better choice.
• [Core] Maintain stocks of parts used in on-site installation, maintenance, and repair of appliances.
• [Core] Clean and reinstall parts.
• [Core] Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid.
• [Core] Observe and test operation of appliances following installation, and make any initial installation adjustments that are necessary.
• [Core] Refer to schematic drawings, product manuals, and troubleshooting guides to diagnose and repair problems.
• [Core] Instruct customers regarding operation and care of appliances, and provide information such as emergency service numbers.
• [Core] Clean, lubricate, and touch up minor defects on newly installed or repaired appliances.
• [Core] Level refrigerators, adjust doors, and connect water lines to water pipes for ice makers and water dispensers, using hand tools.
• [Core] Set appliance thermostats, and check to ensure that they are functioning properly.
• [Core] Level washing machines and connect hoses to water pipes, using hand tools.
• [Core] Respond to emergency calls for problems such as gas leaks.
• [Core] Install appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and stoves.
• [Core] Contact supervisors or offices to receive repair assignments.
• [Core] Light and adjust pilot lights on gas stoves, and examine valves and burners for gas leakage and specified flame.
• [Core] Test and examine gas pipelines and equipment to locate leaks and faulty connections, and to determine the pressure and flow of gas.
• [Supplemental] Assemble new or reconditioned appliances.
• [Supplemental] Conserve, recover, and recycle refrigerants used in cooling systems.
• [Supplemental] Install gas pipes and water lines to connect appliances to existing gas lines or plumbing.
• [Supplemental] Measure, cut, and thread pipe, and connect it to feeder lines and equipment or appliances, using rules and hand tools.
• [Supplemental] Take measurements to determine if appliances will fit in installation locations, performing minor carpentry work when necessary to ensure proper installation.

Detailed work activities

• Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Advise others on issues related to repairs, installation, or equipment design.
• Assemble mechanical components or machine parts.
• Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
• Collect payments for goods or services.
• Confer with coworkers to resolve equipment problems.
• Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
• Connect hoses to equipment or piping.
• Cut materials according to specifications or needs.
• Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
• Dispose of hazardous materials.
• Estimate costs for labor or materials.
• Inspect gas systems or components to identify leaks or other potential hazards.
• Inspect systems to determine if they are operating properly.
• Install home appliances.
• Install piping for installation or maintenance activities.
• Level machines or equipment.
• Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
• Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Maintain repair or maintenance records.
• Measure distances or dimensions.
• Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
• Read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs.
• Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
• Reassemble equipment after repair.
• Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
• Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
• Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
• Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
• Train customers in the use of products.
• Travel to work sites to perform installation, repair or maintenance work.