Soap tower operator

Soap tower operators control, monitor and maintain tower operations, using the control panel, in order to produce soap powders. They inspect operating units to ensure the parameters of flow of oil, air, perfume or steam are according to specifications.

The following job titles also refer to soap tower operator:

tower operator
tower operator (soap)
soap plant worker
soap plant operative
soap powder production operative
soap powder production worker
tower operative (soap)

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a soap tower 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.

Soap tower operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

soap drier operator
plodder operator
soap chipper
clay products dry kiln operator
clay kiln burner

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

air separation plant operator
chemical processing plant controller
gas processing plant supervisor
gas station operator
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor

These skills are necessary for the role of soap tower operator.

• Tend heated-air tower: Tend the heated-air tower by operating the control panel in order to produce soap powders from liquid soap.
• Optimise production processes parameters: Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
• Monitor environmental parameters: Check the impact of manufacturing machinery on the environment, analysing temperature levels, water quality and air pollution.
• Test moisture content: Test the moisture content using a moisture testing apparatus.
• Operate liquid soap pumps: Operate soap pumps adjusting the correct flow of oil, perfume, air or steam that goes into the collectors or to the towers.
• Test chemical samples: Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.
• Write batch record documentation: Write reports on the manufactured batches history taking into account the raw data, tests performed and compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of each batch of product.
• Prepare chemical samples: Prepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.

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

• Basic chemicals: The production and characteristisc of organic basic chemicals such as ethanol, methanol, benzene and inorganic basic chemicals such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen.

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

• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Give instructions to staff: Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.
• Change soap filter: Change the soap filter from the plodder machine by unbolting the filter cap, inspecting it and replacing it according to specifications.
• Inspect batches: Inspect batches ensuring that they have the correct colours and the correct mix.
• Maintain soap production equipment: Maintain equipment by performing small repairs such as replacing stainers.
• Manage waste: Manage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials or hazardous materials. Ensure required licenses and permits are in place and reasonable management practices, industry standards, or commonly accepted farming practices followed.
• Transfer viscous soap: Place the soap from the crutcher machine to the chilling rollers chamber.
• Oversee equipment cleaning: Oversee the cleaning of equipment such as stainers, towers or spray tips.
• Pack soap: Pack finished soap products such as soap flakes or soap bars into boxes
• Inspect soap production operating units: Inspect the equipments and machinery used in powder-producing towers such as soap-spray storage tanks, collectors, towers, driers or scrubbers.

8131 – Chemical products plant and machine operators

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References

1. ESCO