Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing (NOC 9461)

Process control operators in this group:

• operate multi-function process control machinery through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems to grind, extract, mix, blend, cook or otherwise process food products and to bag, box or otherwise package food products
• run multi-function process control machinery to grind, extract, mix, blend, distill, ferment or otherwise process alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages and to bottle, can or otherwise package beverages
• look at gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to verify specified processing conditions and make adjustments to process variables such as cooking times, ingredient inputs, flow rates and temperature settings
• maintain shift log of production and other data

Machine operators in this group:

• set up and adjust processing and packaging machines preparatory to operation
• operate single-function machines to grind, extract, mix, blend, freeze, cook or otherwise process food or beverage products and to box, can or otherwise package food or beverage products
• check products for defects and compliance to company standards and adjust machine as necessary
• record production information such as quantity, weight, size, date and type of products packaged
• perform corrective machine adjustements, clean machines and immediate work areas.

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

• Work takes place in a regular controlled indoor environment.
• Working with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools can be a source of injury.
• Workers may be exposed to steam or intensely hot surfaces that can be a source of injury.
• The workplace may be noisy enough to cause distraction or hearing loss.
• Workers may be exposed to strong or toxic odours.