Occupation

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders

Human Advantage 58%

Moderate human-AI collaboration

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4.3 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber, to remove impurities.

Also Known As: Acid Dipper, Agitator, Agricultural Produce Washer, Air Table Operator, Ampoule Washing Machine Operator, Anodizer, Bag Bleacher, Barrel Cleaner +120 more

Core Tasks

  1. Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
  2. Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
  3. Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.
  4. Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.
  5. Operate or tend machines to wash and remove impurities from items such as barrels or kegs, glass products, tin plate surfaces, dried fruit, pulp, animal stock, coal, manufactured articles, plastic, or rubber.
  6. Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs.
  7. Examine and inspect machines to detect malfunctions.
  8. Measure, weigh, or mix cleaning solutions, using measuring tanks, calibrated rods or suction tubes.

Supplemental Tasks (3)

  1. Draw samples for laboratory analysis, or test solutions for conformance to specifications, such as acidity or specific gravity.
  2. Adjust, clean, and lubricate mechanical parts of machines, using hand tools and grease guns.
  3. Load machines with objects to be processed and unload them after cleaning, placing them on conveyors or racks.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
60%
Less than a High School Diploma
32%
Some College Courses
4%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
4%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment (28)

  • Adjustable handwrenches
  • Air purifying respirators
  • Calibrated measuring rods
  • Clean in place CIP systems
  • Cleaning scrapers
  • Conveyor systems
  • Electric pallet jacks
  • Eye protection
  • Floor scrubbers
  • Foamers
  • Grease dispensing guns
  • Hearing protection plugs
  • High speed buffers
  • Hydro blasting equipment
  • Machine thermometers
  • Measuring tanks
  • Multipurpose hammers
  • Multipurpose screwdrivers
  • Personal computers
  • Safety gloves
  • Scissor lifts
  • Steam lines
  • Suction hoses
  • Vacuum trucks
  • Water agitators
  • Water pumps
  • Wet mops
  • Wheeled forklifts

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Production & Automation Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers 91% match
Zone 2
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders You are here
Zone 3
Model Makers, Wood 78% match
Zone 4
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians 75% match
Zone 5
Microsystems Engineers 73% match

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Real Talk

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