Plant Operator

Airgas•Rockford, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Operator supports the team by safely operating equipment used to handle and produce packaged gas cylinders, including high-pressure and liquefied gases. The role involves preparing cylinders for filling, filling them according to applicable regulations and standards, maintaining cylinders and the work area, and supporting inventory and documentation processes. The operator follows government, Airgas, and distributor requirements for safety and quality when handling hazardous materials and cylinder gases.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to read and understand material safety data sheets.
Supportive customer service skills.
Self-motivated and able to contribute in a fast-paced environment to meet shared deadlines.
Strong attention to detail and precision.
Comfort with basic calculations using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, and ability to calculate rates, ratios, and percentages.
Ability to safely operate a forklift; training may be provided.
Physical dexterity to navigate the plant floor and handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach, stoop, kneel, or crouch as needed.
Vision abilities including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus on objects.
Ability to stand, bend, stoop, reach, and grasp regularly, and to communicate and hear effectively within the facility.
Sensory awareness to detect environmental cues, such as the smell or sound of gas, to support site safety.
Ability to move through the facility, perform fine motor tasks or computer entry, and reach with hands and arms occasionally.
Capacity to regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds and move up to 800 pounds with material-handling equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a manufacturing operation; filling or loading experience is a plus.
Familiarity with the gas, welding, and safety supply industry or chemical industry.
Enjoys collaborating with people with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Load and unload gas cylinders or other products onto and off route trucks and trailers, moving cylinders with proper carts.
Sort empty cylinders by type to support an organized workflow.
Roll cylinders and operate a forklift to move cylinders on pallets.
Identify gas hazards and cylinder size and contents by reading labels and interpreting tank color coding; label cylinders accurately.
Care for high-pressure, medical, and liquid cylinders; prepare high-pressure cylinders and cryogenic vessels for filling; connect cylinders to a manifold and evacuate them to eliminate contaminants.
Perform basic cylinder maintenance, including painting and labeling cylinders, and clean the work area.
Inspect cylinders before filling according to government, Airgas, and distributor procedures; conduct safety checks such as odor tests and checks of caps and valves.
Fill cylinders by pressure and weight in accordance with regulations and standards.
Check cylinder quantities, styles, and products, and assist with inventory.
Coordinate documentation to DOT, FDA, OSHA, and Airgas standards, and complete required quality-control sheets.
Uphold government and company standards for the safe handling of hazardous materials and cylinder gases.