Separating / Filtering / Clarifying / Precipitating / Still Machine Setter / Operator / Tender

Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Blender; Brewer; Cellar Worker; Digester Cook; Machine Tender; Paper Machine Tender; Pasteurizer; Plant Operator; Pulper Operator; Winemaker

Tasks

• Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
• Inspect machines or equipment for hazards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, or leaks.
• Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
• Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
• Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
• Test samples to determine viscosity, acidity, specific gravity, or degree of concentration, using test equipment such as viscometers, pH meters, or hydrometers.
• Maintain logs of instrument readings, test results, or shift production for entry in computer databases.
• Communicate processing instructions to other workers.
• Clean or sterilize tanks, screens, inflow pipes, production areas, or equipment, using hoses, brushes, scrapers, or chemical solutions.
• Examine samples to verify qualities such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, dryness, or texture.
• Measure or weigh materials to be refined, mixed, transferred, stored, or otherwise processed.
• Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
• Assemble fittings, valves, bowls, plates, disks, impeller shafts, or other parts to prepare equipment for operation.
• Turn valves to pump sterilizing solutions or rinse water through pipes or equipment or to spray vats with atomizers.
• Turn valves or move controls to admit, drain, separate, filter, clarify, mix, or transfer materials.

Knowledge

• Production and Processing
• Food Production
• Education and Training
• English Language
• Mechanical
• Mathematics
• Chemistry

Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening

Abilities

• Near Vision
• Perceptual Speed
• Problem Sensitivity
• Information Ordering
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Reaction Time
• Oral Comprehension
• Flexibility of Closure
• Selective Attention
• Control Precision
• Multilimb Coordination
• Static Strength
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Visualization
• Manual Dexterity
• Finger Dexterity
• Rate Control
• Trunk Strength
• Extent Flexibility
• Gross Body Equilibrium
• Far Vision
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Hearing Sensitivity
• Speech Recognition