Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders

What the job really is

Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-6061
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Weigh ingredients, such as dye, to be mixed together for use in textile processing.
• Start and control machines and equipment to wash, bleach, dye, or otherwise process and finish fabric, yarn, thread, or other textile goods.
• Observe display screens, control panels, equipment, and cloth entering or exiting processes to determine if equipment is operating correctly.
• Notify supervisors or mechanics of equipment malfunctions.
• Monitor factors such as temperatures and dye flow rates to ensure that they are within specified ranges.
• Add dyes, water, detergents, or chemicals to tanks to dilute or strengthen solutions, according to established formulas and solution test results.
• Examine and feel products to identify defects and variations from coloring and other processing standards.
• Adjust equipment controls to maintain specified heat, tension, and speed.
• Soak specified textile products for designated times.
• Inspect machinery to determine necessary adjustments and repairs.
• Confer with coworkers to get information about order details, processing plans, or problems that occur.
• Sew ends of cloth together, by hand or using machines, to form endless lengths of cloth to facilitate processing.

Tools and technology

Linux, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Adjustable hand wrenches, Beam dyeing machines, Bleaching machines, Continuous dyeing machines, Digital calipers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Machine Feeders and Offbearers
• Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
• Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.