Whether they’re brewers, cheesemakers, or paper producers, workers with the formal title of separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine workers, operate equipment that separates liquid, gases, and solids out to yield a refined product. These workers might operate a centrifuge to separate ingredients of different density, run an evaporating tank to reduce water content, or dump materials into containers for storage, but it’s their attention to detail and constant watchfulness that distinguishes a perfect batch from a spoiled result. Mistakes can ruin batches and set back production schedules; as well as wasting money and supplies. Keeping tanks, pipes, and other equipment sterile is crucial. These workers frequently inspect machines, and test product samples to ensure correct processing. Work environments in warehouses and production facilities may have particularly high or low temperatures, and expose workers to chemicals that may be hazardous. The work can be physically challenging, and protective gear is worn most of the time. Schedules may be long, often exceeding 40 hours a week. Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Hand and Finger Use
keep your arm or hand steady
hold or move items with your hands
Visual Understanding
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
see hidden patterns
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
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