SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Anodizer
  • Clean in Places Operator (CIP Operator)
  • Filler Operator
  • Parts Cleaner
  • Sanitation Technician
  • Sanitation Worker
  • Sanitizer
  • Tub Wash Operator

What do Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders do?

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders are skilled workers responsible for operating and managing machines that perform cleaning processes on various types of materials and surfaces. These operators typically work in manufacturing and industrial settings where metal parts or other items require thorough cleaning, washing, or pickling to remove contaminants, rust, or other unwanted substances. Their work is crucial in preparing materials for finishing processes, ensuring that they meet quality standards before they proceed to subsequent manufacturing steps. These operators may handle equipment for cleaning with various methods, including chemical, mechanical, or thermal processes. Safety considerations, operational efficiency, and adherence to industry regulations are key aspects of their role, requiring a sound understanding of machinery and processes, as well as ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting capabilities.

What the work actually is

  • Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
  • Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
  • Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.
  • Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.
  • 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.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Abilities

  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Perceptual Speed The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Less than high school diploma
Some college, no degree

A normal week

  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Getting Information
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Word processing software Microsoft Word

Tools

  • Pressure or steam cleaners Hydro blasting equipment · Steam lines
  • Screwdrivers Multipurpose screwdrivers
  • Grease guns Grease dispensing guns
  • Respirators Air purifying respirators
  • Hammers Multipurpose hammers

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders earn in South Africa?

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders do?

Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations, Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions and Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.