Tanner

Tanners program and use tannery drums. They perform the work according to the work instructions, verify the physical and chemical characteristics of the hide, skin, or leather and of the liquid floats (e.g. pH, temperature, chemicals concentration) during the process. They use the drum for washing the hide or skin, removing the hair (not in the case of hides and skins tanned with the hair or wool on), bating, tanning, retanning, dyeing and milling.

Tanners usually work indoors, in a factory type of environment that uses heavy machinery to turn raw animal hide into leather. They will need to know how to operate each piece of machinery in order to prevent damage to the hide or even cause personal injury. There are also chemicals involved in the finishing and tanning process, so it is important for workers to know how to handle chemicals without inhaling dangerous fumes or tarnishing the leather.

Due to the heavy machines and chemicals involved in the leather making process, many workers are required to wear protective eyewear and gloves when working in specific departments. Workers who focus more on sewing leather together and applying hardware and glues work in a calmer environment that involves less heavy machinery, but more manual dexterity and precision.

The following job titles also refer to tanner:

tanning worker
chrome-tanning drum operator
drum tender
retanning machine operator
spray finishing machine operator
tanning straightener
beamhouse operator
pit tanner
tanning drum operator
tanning vacuum dryer
tanning machine operator
tawer
drum operator

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

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.

Tanner is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

leather production machine operator
leather measuring operator
leather finishing operator
leather sorter
colour sampling operator

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

leather laboratory technician
colour sampling technician
footwear quality control laboratory technician
footwear quality technician
leather goods production supervisor

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

• Physico-chemical properties of hides and skins: The quality of hides and skins is defined by organoleptic, microbiological, histological and chemical characteristics (i.e. moisture, structure of the dermis, percentage of fat and collagen). Each type of hide/skin has specific physical and chemical properties that affect the type of tanning operations and the most suitable end use of the leather.
• Leather chemistry: Chemical composition and chemical properties of hide/skin and chemicals used and their modification during the different tanning processes. Reactions between hide/skin or semi-finished leather and chemical products during the different phases of process and the factors affecting the performance of the reactions and of the process. Monitoring of the chemical indicators of processing and the characteristics of skins/hides/leather.

These skills are necessary for the role of tanner.

• Adapt to changing situations: Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people’s needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.
• Use communication techniques: Apply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.
• Apply colouring recipes correctly: Prepare colour and other chemical mixtures in accordance with the recipes and/or the characteristics of the article to be achieved. Interpret and apply the instructions, including technical and operational details for the execution of processes.
• Prepare colour mixtures: Prepare colour mixtures in accordance with the recipes and/or the characteristics of the article to be achieved.
• Work in textile manufacturing teams: Work harmoniously with colleagues in teams in the textile and clothing manufacturing industries.
• Execute working instructions: Understand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.
• Use IT tools: Application of computers, computer networks and other information technologies and equipment to storing, retrieving, transmitting and manipulating data, in the context of a business or enterprise.
• Identify with the company’s goals: Act for the benefit of the company and for the achievement of its targets.

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

• Health and safety in the workplace: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to safety, health and welfare of people in their workplace. 
• Leather technology: Subject that includes traditional and advanced technologies of tanning processes, including machinery, service plants and other supporting equipment like moving or dosing systems.
• Test leather chemistry: Set of tests that describe chemical features of leather. They include pH and content of specific substances.
• Functionalities of machinery: The machinery and equipment used and, in particular, the characteristics regarding functioning and calibration to ensure compliance with quality and product specifications, as well as the operator’s safety.
• Characteristics of chemicals used for tanning: Composition and physico-chemical properties of auxiliary chemicals used in the different tanning processes (tanning agents, fat liquors, pigments, dyes, etc.)

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

• Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
• Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Identify defects on raw hides: Analyse, identify and evaluate the possible defects present on raw hides/skins. Defects may be of natural origin, caused by bad practices at the farm, in transport, at the abattoir or generated during the manufacturing process.
• Monitor operations in the leather industry: Collect key system performance of leather production at periodic intervals or at the end of some specific phases of the leather process, in order to detect and record the operation of machines and systems and monitor that the process follows the product and production requirements.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Manage quality of leather throughout the production process: Manage systems for the customer-focused organisation of leather production processes. It uses strategy, data, and effective communications to integrate the quality approach into the culture and activities of the company and also to achieve the organisation’s mission and goals.
• Manage environmental impact of operations: Manage the interaction with and impact on the environment by companies. Identify and assess environmental impacts of the production process and related services, and regulate a reduction of the effects on the environment and on people. Organise action plans and monitor any indicators of improvement.

8155 – Fur and leather preparing machine operators

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References

1. Tanner – ESCO
2. Leather Tanning and Finishers Job Description – StateUniversity.com
3. Featured image: By Houssain tork – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0