Will “Lock Tender” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

97% Chance of Automation

“Lock Tender” will almost certainly be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #644 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 53-6011.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 46,680.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 22.00
Currently, there are 3,510 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Bridge and Lock Tenders”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Lock Tender”

Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic.
Prepare accident reports.
Log data such as water levels and weather conditions.
Add and remove balance weights to bridge mechanisms as necessary.
Check that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening.
Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
Perform maintenance duties such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.
Raise drawbridges and observe passage of water traffic, then lower drawbridges and raise automobile gates.
Write and submit maintenance work requisitions.
Clean and lubricate equipment, and make minor repairs and adjustments.
Attach ropes or cable lines to bitts on lock decks or wharfs to secure vessels.
Operate lighthouses to assist marine passage near shores and dangerous waters.
Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
Stop automobile and pedestrian traffic on bridges, and lower automobile gates prior to moving bridges.
Inspect canal and bridge equipment, and areas such as roadbeds for damage or defects, reporting problems to supervisors as necessary.
Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.
Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best utilization of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.

Related Technology & Tools

Safety gloves
Intrusion alarms
Protective glasses
Hand trucks
Traffic gates
Mobile radios
Signal bells
Signal flares
Putty knives
Grease dispensing guns
Cable lines
X ray scanners
Snow plows
Fall protection equipment
Balance weights
Lawn mowers
Traffic directional cones
Wire ropes
Life jackets
Loudspeaker warning system
Adjustable wrenches
Laser facsimile machines
Bridge traffic signals
Gas detectors
Safety-toe boots
Warning sirens
Sump pumps
Warning horns
Spot lights
Weather monitoring instruments
Radar systems
Gas powered snow blowers
Bitts
Closed circuit television CCTV monitoring systems
Signal flags
Step ladders
Megaphones
Navigation lights
Hearing protectors
Hard hats
Gas powered generators
Smoke detectors
Motor vehicles
Surveillance binoculars
Wire cutting tools
Span lights
Desktop computers
Very high frequency VHF radiotelephones
Television monitors
Electric drawbridges

Email software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word