Centrifuge operator

Centrifuge operators tend centrifugal machines that separate impurities from food materials aimed to be further processed as to achieve finished foodstuffs.

The following job titles also refer to centrifuge operator:

spinning operator
spinning operative
centrifugal process operator
centrifuge operative

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a centrifuge operator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Centrifuge operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to centrifuge operator.

refining machine operator
clarifier
fat-purification worker
kettle tender
oil mill operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of centrifuge operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of centrifuge operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

green coffee coordinator
water treatment systems operator
animal feed supervisor
dairy processing technician
food technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of centrifuge operator.

• Centrifugal force: Apparent force that draws a rotating body away from the centre of rotation. Application to machines that use centrifugal forces.

These skills are necessary for the role of centrifuge operator.

• Operate centrifuges: Adjust working condition as speed and time of centrifuges according to the requirements of the product in process. Operate centrifuges.
• Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
• Handle product separation in the sugar industry: Handling the products separated by centrifuge machines such as wash molasses, mother liquor (syrup), and sugar crystals. Packing the products in different containers depending on their characteristics.
• Tend centrifuge machines: Operate centrifuge that purifies animal and vegetable oils. Position filter cloth on centrifuge supply tank. Start centrifuge and transfer filtered material from centrifuge into portable tank.
• Follow written instructions: Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
• Apply HACCP: Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Check quality of products on the production line: Check products for quality on the production line and remove defective items before and after packaging.
• Be at ease in unsafe environments: Be at ease in unsafe environments like being exposed to dust, rotating equipment, hot surfaces, sub-freezing and cold storage areas, noise, wet floors and moving lift equipment.
• Set up machine controls: Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
• Follow hygienic procedures during food processing: Ensure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.
• Adhere to organisational guidelines: Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Secure goods according to work orders: Fasten bands around stacks or articles, prior to shipment or storage.
• Apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages: Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.
• Apply GMP: Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Tend hoses: Use hoses to wash centrifuge, caring for the integrity of the machine and minimising waste of water.
• Carry out checks of production plant equipment: Carry out checks of the machinery and equipment used in the production plant. Ensure that the machinery is working properly, set machines before usage, and assure continuous operability of the equipment.
• Monitor centrifugal separators: Operating and monitoring centrifugal separators.
• Exert quality control to processing food: Ensure the quality of all factors involved in a food production process.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of centrifuge operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Health, safety and hygiene legislation: The set of health, safety and hygiene standards and items of legislation applicable in a specific sector.
• Origin of dietary fats and oils: The distinction between dietary fats that come from animals and oils derived from vegetables.
• Oil seed process: Oil seed process from cleaning the oil bearing seed, decorticating the seed, crushing, conditioning and heating, to filtering and neutralising.
• Alkali stages of refining processes for edible oils: Stages of the alkali refining process for edible oils which include heating, conditioning, neutralising, re-refining, washing of oils.
• Free fatty acid elimination processes: The processes for the refining of edible oils and fats to eliminate free fatty acids (FFA). This includes the physical refining, a process that builds on the lower boiling point of the free fatty acids compared to the boiling point of the triglyceride oil, and also chemical or alkaline refining, where an alkali is used to neutralise the free fatty acids.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of centrifuge operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Check sensorial parameters of oils and fats: Check sensorial parameters of olive oils, seed oils and edible fats such as taste, smell and touch.
• Measure density of liquids: Measuring the density of liquids, including oils, using instruments such as hygrometers, or oscillating tubes.
• Filter edible oils: Filter oil as one of the processes of oil extraction. Pump oil, using equipment such as sifters or cloths, and adhere to health and safety regulations.
• Control flow of oils: Adjust controls to regulate flow of oils through lines and tanks.
• Perform cleaning duties: Perform cleaning duties such as waste removal, vacuuming, emptying bins, and general cleaning of the working area. Cleaning activities should follow health and safety regulations if required.
• Wash oils: Wash oils to reduce the soap left over in the oil after the first stage of refining. Heat the oil to the right temperature, then add a certain amount of wash water to be mixed into the oil by the dynamic mixer. Operate the flow meter for hot water and the electro-pneumatic metering valve.
• Keep machines oiled for steady functioning: Oil or grease the parts of the machines and equipment that need to be lubricated. Follow safety procedures to do so.
• Refine edible oils: Refine edible oils to make them suitable for human consumption. Remove impurities and toxic substances performing processes such as bleaching, deodorisation and cooling.
• Degum liquids: Remove gums from water and oils. Use equipment to separate hydratable gums and other solubles that exude from certain plants.
• Monitor sugar uniformity: Monitor that the sugar and centrifuged products are uniform and comply with quality standards.
• Test solid discharges from oil centrifuge: Continuously test solid discharges after the oil is centrifuges to ensure that the centrifuges are set for best performance.
• Dispose food waste: Dispose or collect food waste with the purpose of recycling or throwing away from the production process. Follow established procedures for their disposal taking care of the environment and the safety matters according to legislations.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation in food production: Make sure to comply with environmental legislation in food production. Understand the legislation related to environmental matters in food manufacturing and apply it in practice.
• Operate sugar washing systems: Operate sugar washing systems that distribute water evenly over the entire exposed surface of sugar wall. Strive for minimum water consumption, high crystal yield and uniform washing of sugar.
• Label samples: Label raw material/ product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.

8160 – Food and related products machine operators

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References

1. Centrifuge operator – ESCO