815 - Textile, fur and leather products machine operators

Description Fibre preparing, spinning and winding machine operators monitor and operate machines which prepare fibres, and spin, double, twist and wind yarn and thread from natural textile fibres. They twist two or more strands of yarn to prepare single stronger, smoother, uniform and heavier strands, and treat textiles to make them stiff and water resistant. Tasks include – (a) operating and monitoring machines for tearing woollen rags into fibre; (b) operating and monitoring machines for cleaning and turning woollen yarn waste into fluffed wool; (c) operating and monitoring machines which combine textile fibres into uniform blends; (d) operating and monitoring machines which clean and fluff textile fibres, transform them into sliver, comb them into sliver for first drawing, combine slivers into sliver lap or sliver laps into ribbon lap; (e) operating draw frames (machines) having numbers of drawing sets, each set combining several slivers into one of nearly the same weight and thickness as any of the original slivers; (f) operating and monitoring machines which spin thread and yarn from roving, wind two or more threads onto a bobbin, twist two or more strands of yarn or thread into single strands of yarn to increase strength, smoothness and/or uniformity of yarn, or wind yarn or thread from one package to another; (g) operating and monitoring spinning frames that draw out and twist roving or sliver into yarn; (h) operating and monitoring machines for drawing slivers received from drawing machines into loosely twisted strands; (i) preparing sizing for use in stiffening and finishing cloth and yarn by mixing ingredients such as starch, tallow, resins and soaps with water and boiling mixture for specified times in steam; (j) treating textiles with chemicals to make them water resistant; (k) cleaning rollers and cylinders of carding machines to remove wool waste; (l) operating and resurfacing metal drawing rolls of various spinning, combing and lapping machines with new rubber or leather covers. Examples of the occupations classified here: – Fibre combing machine operator – Fibre preparing machine operator – Thread and yarn spinning machine operator – Thread and yarn twisting machine operator – Thread and yarn winding machine operator Alternative titles ISCO Group 8151 Sources ESCO

Description Weaving and knitting machine operators set up, operate and monitor weaving and knitting machines which process yarn or thread into woven, non-woven and knitted products such as cloth, lace, carpets, industrial fabric, hosiery and knitted garments, or to quilt and embroider fabric. Tasks include – (a) setting up and operating batteries of automatic, link-type knitting machines to knit garments of specified pattern and design; (b) threading yarn, thread and fabric through guides, needles and rollers of machines for weaving, knitting or other processing; (c) tending automatic looms that simultaneously weave pile yarn, filling yarn and warp yarn material to produce carpets and rugs with various coloured designs; (d) operating and monitoring looms on which yarn or twist is intersected and knotted at regular intervals to form mesh; (e) operating and monitoring large automatic multi-needle machines to embroider material or to sew lengths of several layers of material to make yard goods, quilts or mattress coverings; (f) tending circular knitting machines with automatic pattern controls that knit seamless hose; (g) operating and monitoring knitting machines to knit hosiery to shape of foot and leg; (h) operating and monitoring machines for knitting heels and toes of socks into ribs or tops cut from circular fabric; (i) operating and monitoring machines which seam openings in toes of socks; (j) operating and monitoring crochet machines to knit lace, trimming, etc. of desired patterns or design; (k) examining looms to determine causes of loom stoppage, such as warp filling, harness breaks or mechanical defects; (l) repairing or replacing worn or defective needles and other components; (m) cleaning, oiling and lubricating machines, using air hoses, cleaning solutions, rags, oil cans and/or grease guns. Examples of the occupations classified here: – Carpet weaving machine operator – Knitting machine operator – Net production machine operator – Weaving machine operator Some related occupations classified elsewhere: – Carpet weaver – 7318 – Cloth weaver – 7318 – Knitter – 7318 Alternative titles ISCO Group 8152 Sources ESCO

Description Sewing machine operators monitor and operate sewing machines to make, repair, darn and renovate textile, fur, synthetic or leather garments, or embroider ornamental designs on garments or other materials. They operate buttonhole making and eyelet holing machines to cut holes, stitch around holes, stitch buttons and fix eyelets to garments. Tasks include – (a) operating or tending sewing machines to perform garment sewing operations such as joining, reinforcing, seaming or decorating garments or garment parts; (b) attaching buttons, hooks, zippers, fasteners or other accessories to fabric, using feeding hoppers or clamp holders; (c) tending semiautomatic sewing machines with multiple-sewing heads controlled by pattern chains that embroider various designs on garments; (d) operating machines such as single or double needle sergers and flat-bed felling machines to automatically join, reinforce or decorate material or articles; (e) operating fur sewing machines to join fur pelt strips to required size and shape and join pelts into garment sections or shells; (f) operating stitching machines to sew leather parts together for leather garments, handbags, gloves or similar items; (g) monitoring machine operations to detect problems such as defective stitching, breaks in thread or machine malfunctions; (h) performing equipment maintenance tasks such as replacing needles. Examples of the occupations classified here: – Embroidery machine operator – Sewing machine operator Some related occupations classified elsewhere: – Textiles handicraft worker – 7318 – Furrier – 7531 – Tailor – 7531 – Embroiderer – 7533 – Sewer – 7533 Alternative titles ISCO Group 8153 Sources ESCO

Description Bleaching, dyeing and fabric cleaning machine operators operate and monitor machines that bleach, shrink, dye and otherwise treat fibres, yarn or cloth. Tasks include – (a) starting and controlling machines and equipment to bleach, dye or otherwise process and finish fabric, yarn, thread and/or other textile goods; (b) tending machines that shrink woven or knitted cloth to predetermined size or strengthen the weave by interlocking the fibres; (c) tending a variety of automatic machines that comb and polish furs; (d) operating and monitoring machines that treat silk to give it body and weight; (e) operating and monitoring machines that impregnate textiles with chemicals to render them waterproof; (f) dyeing articles to change or restore their colours; (g) operating and monitoring machines that stretch or impart lustre or other type of finish to textiles; (h) tending and regulating equipment that fumigates and removes foreign matter from furs; (i) operating machines that comb, dry and polish furs, and clean, sterilize and fluff feathers and blankets; (j) keying in processing instructions to programme electronic equipment; (k) observing display screens, control panels, equipment and cloth entering or exiting processes to determine if equipment is operating correctly; (l) cleaning machine filters and lubricating equipment. Examples of the occupations classified here: – Fabric bleaching machine operator – Textile dyeing machine operator Some related occupations classified elsewhere: – Textile printer – 7322 – Laundry machine operator – 8157 – Hand launderer – 9121 – Hand presser – 9121 Alternative titles ISCO Group 8154 Sources ESCO

Description Fur and leather preparing machine operators monitor and operate various machines that prepare leather or treat fur- or wool-bearing pelts. They trim, scrape, clean, tan, buff and dye animal hides, pelts or skins to produce leather stock and finished furs. Tasks include – (a) operating and monitoring machines which remove flesh and fat from hides or pelts to clean and soften them prior to processing; (b) operating and monitoring machines which remove long coarse hair from fur pelts, trim hair to even length and dye, stretch and smooth dressed pelts; (c) operating and monitoring machines to remove epidermis hair roots, pigment cells and lime salts from the grain side of skin; (d) operating and monitoring machines to reduce thickness of hide or skin to uniform size; (e) operating and monitoring machines to polish or roughen hides or skins to specified finishes; (f) operating and monitoring machines which separate residual wool from skins, or flesh and hair from hides; (g) operating and monitoring machines in which hides are split edgeways to form two or more pieces or to give uniform thickness; (h) operating and monitoring machines which treat hides and skins in solutions to convert them into leather; (i) treating surfaces of leather with oil and operating glazing machines to give glossy finishes to leather; (j) operating and monitoring machines which apply dyes and stains to leather; (k) maintaining and repairing vats and other machinery. Examples of the occupations classified here: – Hide dehairing machine operator – Leather staining machine operator – Tanning machine operator Some related occupations classified elsewhere: – Pelt dresser – 7535 – Tanner – 7535 Alternative titles ISCO Group 8155 Sources ESCO

Description Shoemaking and related machine operators monitor and operate machines which produce and repair standard or special footwear, handbags and other accessories, mainly made of leather. Tasks include – (a) operating and monitoring machines which mark patterns and cut shoe parts; (b) operating and monitoring machines which sew shoe parts together, or edge, polish, or apply ornaments and perform finishing tasks; (c) operating and monitoring machines which produce luggage, handbags, belts and other accessories, as well as other items such as saddles, collars or harnesses. Examples of the occupations classified here: – Machine operator (footwear production) Some related occupations classified elsewhere: – Handicraft worker (leather) – 7318 – Cobbler – 7536 Alternative titles ISCO Group 8156 Sources ESCO

Description Laundry machine operators operate laundry, dry-cleaning, pressing and fabric treatment machines in laundries and dry-cleaning establishments. Tasks include – (a) sorting articles for cleaning according to the type, colour, fabric and cleaning treatment required; (b) placing sorted articles into receptacles and onto conveyor belts for moving to repair and cleaning areas; (c) checking and removing stains from garments, replacing buttons and making minor repairs; (d) loading and unloading washing machines, driers and extractors; (e) adding cleaning agents and starches to articles; (f) smoothing articles and guiding them through cleaning and pressing machines; (g) stopping and starting machines to untangle, straighten and remove articles; (h) placing articles on shelves and hanging articles for delivery and collection; (i) packaging articles and preparing orders for despatch. Examples of the occupations classified here: – Dry-cleaning machine operator – Laundry machine operator – Pressing machine operator (laundry) Some related occupations classified elsewhere: – Hand launderer – 9121 – Hand presser – 9121 Alternative titles ISCO Group 8157 Sources ESCO

Description This unit group covers textile, fur and leather products machine operators not classified elsewhere in Minor Group 815: Textile, Fur and Leather Products Machine Operators. For instance, the group includes those engaged in operating and monitoring machines which make hats, tents, mattresses or miscellaneous articles such as braids or other trimmings. In such cases tasks would include – (a) operating and monitoring machines which form and make hats out of textiles, fur or leather; (b) operating and monitoring machines which make miscellaneous articles such as braids or other trimmings; (c) operating and monitoring machines which fold cloth into measured length; (d) operating and monitoring machines which wind thread, twine or yarn into balls preparatory to shipping or further processing; (e) operating and monitoring machines to measure size of pieces of leather. Examples of the occupations classified here: – Braid making machine operator – Hat making machine operator – Tent making machine operator – Textile patternmaking machine operator Alternative titles ISCO Group 8159 Sources ESCO