Career summary

Details for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders


Description

Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.

Tasks

  • Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.
  • Adjust machine components and machine tension and pressure according to size or processing angle of product.
  • Tend or operate machine that packages product.
  • Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
  • Regulate machine flow, speed, or temperature.
  • Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.
  • Secure finished packaged items by hand tying, sewing, gluing, stapling, or attaching fastener.
  • Stock and sort product for packaging or filling machine operation, and replenish packaging supplies, such as wrapping paper, plastic sheet, boxes, cartons, glue, ink, or labels.
  • Inspect and remove defective products and packaging material.
  • Clean and remove damaged or otherwise inferior materials to prepare raw products for processing.
  • Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.
  • Clean, oil, and make minor adjustments or repairs to machinery and equipment, such as opening valves or setting guides.
  • Monitor the production line, watching for problems such as pile-ups, jams, or glue that isn't sticking properly.
  • Stack finished packaged items, or wrap protective material around each item, and pack the items in cartons or containers.
  • Start machine by engaging controls.
  • Count and record finished and rejected packaged items.
  • Package the product in the form in which it will be sent out, for example, filling bags with flour from a chute or spout.
  • Supply materials to spindles, conveyors, hoppers, or other feeding devices and unload packaged product.
  • Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.
  • Clean packaging containers, line and pad crates, or assemble cartons to prepare for product packing.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Knowledge

None found.

Skills

None found.

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