ANZSCO Work Type Detail Sheets

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Chemical Production Machine Operator

711911 · Heavy Next-day ready
Career data Close match

Machine setters set up, adjust and operate production machinery and tools like drills, mills, lathes and grinding machines.

Most common salary $63k – $94k
Upper salary up to $129k
Training 0-1 year
View on Tahatū ↗ Data: Tahatū Career Navigator, CC BY 4.0
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Description

Operates machines to produce chemical goods such as soaps, detergents, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and explosives.

Typical work tasks

  • Operates crushing machines to reduce solid chemicals and other materials to a size suitable for processing; operates mills to grind and pulverise solid chemicals and other materials into particles of a specified size; inspects samples of these materials and monitors the removal of the ground product; operates machines in which the ingredients used in chemical and related products are mixed and blended, and ensures the accuracy of the blend; may be designated according to the type of material mixed, the product obtained or the machine operated.

Typical work environment

  • Works indoors in manufacturing plant environments.
  • Work areas will usually be noisy, dusty and possibly smelly as a result of the use of various machines and processing operations.
  • Protective ear muffs and other protective equipment will be worn.

Typical physical and mental demands

  • Medium to heavy work demand levels.
  • Stands frequently when operating machines and walks about the factory area to pick up materials and supplies. Sitting is not required.
  • Stretches out and across occasionally to operate machinery or to adjust machine controls or the product flow.
  • Squatting, kneeling or crouching may be required when carrying out inspections of products and machinery.
  • Employees occasionally twist their body or neck when operating machinery.
  • Frequently shovels, lifts and carries material to be crushed, ground or mixed onto a conveyor belt or chute that takes it into processing machinery.
  • Bends frequently when shovelling, working over conveyer belts or machinery.
  • Repetitive hand and large arm movements may be required.
  • Driving may be required if job tasks include the operating of forklifts or loaders to transport raw materials or bagged finished product.
  • May operate a range of processing machines, or specialise in the operation of one type of machine or process.
  • Mental skills necessary include technical knowledge, machine operation and other practical and problem-solving skills.
Entry signal Reviewed

Enter via experience or on-the-job training; no mandatory pre-entry qualification. Flagged next-day ready.

Entry barrier Experience or on-job training
Licence / registration No licence required
ANZSCO skill level 4
Next-day ready Yes

How this was determined (model-generated): Chemical production machine operator: low-level qual or 1yr experience, on-the-job training sufficient for entry; no mandatory licence; confirms det.

Entry Requirements

  • A New Zealand Register Level 2 or 3 qualification or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4). In some instances relevant experience may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

Further Comments

  • There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.