Synonyms: Appliance-service representative; small-appliance repairer
Job profile
Definition and/or description
Repairs electrical appliances, such as toasters, cookers, percolators, lamps and irons, using hand-tools and electrical testing instruments. Examines appliances for mechanical defects and disassembles appliances. Tests wiring for broken or short circuits, using voltmeters, ohmmeters and other circuit testers. Replaces defective wiring and parts, such as toaster elements and percolator coils, using hand-tools, soldering irons and spot-welding equipment. May compute charges for labour and materials. May assist Electrical-appliance Servicer (any industry) in repairing such appliances as refrigerators and stoves (DOT).
Related and specific occupations
Appliance repairer (and occupations according to specific appliances, e.g., food-mixer repairer; heating-element repairer; toaster-element repairer; vacuum-cleaner repairer; etc.); assembler (household appliances); electrical-appliance preparer (and occupations according to specific appliances, e.g., coffee-maker preparer; electric-refrigerator preparer; washing-machine preparer; etc.); electrical-appliance servicer (and occupations according to specific appliances); fixer; household-appliance installer; maintenance man; mender; repairman; serviceman; troubleshooter; uncrater.
Tasks
Adjusting; advising (customers); aligning; applying; assembling, disassembling and reassembling; assisting; bending; bolting; boring; brazing; calculating (costs, wiring parameters, etc.); calibrating; checking; cleaning; computing (charges, etc.); connecting; cutting; demonstrating (appliances in operation); determining (repair requirements); drilling; driving; earthing; estimating (costs); examining (appliances); fastening; filing; fitting; fixing; gluing; hammering; handling; identifying (defects); installing; inserting; insulating; joining; keeping (records); lifting; loading and unloading; locating (shorts and grounds, etc.); lubricating; maintaining (stock of parts); marking; measuring (dimensions, electric parameters); mending; mounting; moving (heavy appliances); observing (appliance in operation, instrument readings); operating (appliances, equipment); painting; placing; polishing; preparing; recording (details of repair); repairing; replacing; removing; screwing and unscrewing; sealing; selecting; servicing; setting; soldering; splicing (cables); stripping (wires); testing; touching up (paint defects); tracing (electrical circuits); transporting; troubleshooting; uncrating; using (tools, skills, etc.); washing; welding; wiring; wrapping (wires with tape).
Hazards
Accident hazards
– Cuts and stabs caused by working tools, sharp edges of parts of appliances under repair, etc.;
– Slips, trips and falls on level surfaces, especially on wet, slippery and greasy floors, while moving heavy appliances;
– Falls from height while installing or repairing outdoor units of “split” air conditioners, ceiling fans, etc.;
– Mechanical injuries caused by exposed rotating parts of appliances under repair (e.g., ventilators);
– Acute poisoning and/or chemical burns as a result of using solvents, adhesives and other chemicals;
– Fire risk due to use of inflammables;
– Burns caused by contact with hot elements of appliances under repair (e.g., irons), molten metals (while soldering) or as a result of sudden release of vapours from appliances under repair (e.g., from coffee-makers);
– Electric shocks caused by contact with live wires;
– Risk of road accidents while driving to/from customer premises.
Physical hazards
– Exposure to microwave radiation while repairing microwave ovens;
– Increased exposure to radiation.
Chemical hazards
– Chronic toxicological effects associated with welding and soldering operations;
– Chronic poisoning as a result of exposure to fluorocarbons, methyl chloride and other substances used in refrigerators, air conditioners, etc.
Biological hazards
Biological hazards may be encountered while repairing appliances that were used by sick persons (e.g., hair dryers, electrical tooth brushes, electrical shavers, etc.), or were operated in a contaminated atmosphere (e.g., vacuum cleaners).
Ergonomic and social factors
– Acute musculoskeletal injuries caused by physical overexertion and awkward posture while moving and installing heavy appliances;
– Cumulative trauma disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by long-time repetitive work involving primarily hand, arm and finger movements (in appliance repairers engaged in repair work on assembly lines or in repetitive workbench operations);
– Tiredness and general ill feeling;
– Visual discomfort and eye strain as a result of viewing small parts of appliances under poor illumination conditions (e.g., inside an appliance);
– Psychological stress as a result of working under time pressure and dealing with dissatisfied customers.
Addendum
Note
1. Conflicting opinions exist as to whether very-low and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic radiation is hazardous.