Loader

About the role

The Plant Operator is responsible for safely operating equipment for the handling and production of packaged gas cylinders, both for high pressure and liquefied gasses. Loads and unloads gas cylinders and/or other products onto and off of route trucks and trailers moving cylinders with proper carts only. Sorts empty cylinders by type. Rolls cylinders and operates a forklift truck for the movement of cylinders on pallets. Understands hazards of various gases; size and contents of cylinders by reading and interpreting cylinder labels and the color-coding of tanks. Accurately labels cylinders. Handles high-pressure, medical and liquid cylinders. Prepares high pressure cylinders and cryogenic vessels for filling. Attaches to manifold, evacuates cylinders to eliminate all possible contaminants. Performs basic cylinder maintenance such as painting cylinders, labeling cylinders, and cleaning of work area. Inspects cylinders prior to filling, following standard procedures as required by government, Airgas, and distributor standards. Conducts a variety of Safety checks per procedures, such as odor tests, checking caps and valves. Fills cylinders by pressure and weight, per regulations and standards. Checks for cylinder quantities, styles and product, and/or assists with inventory.

Responsibilities

• Loads and unloads gas cylinders and/or other products onto and off of route trucks and trailers moving cylinders with proper carts only.
• Sorts empty cylinders by type.
• Rolls cylinders and operates a forklift truck for the movement of cylinders on pallets.
• Understands hazards of various gases; size and contents of cylinders by reading and interpreting cylinder labels and the color-coding of tanks.
• Accurately labels cylinders.
• Handles high-pressure, medical and liquid cylinders.
• Prepares high pressure cylinders and cryogenic vessels for filling.
• Attaches to manifold, evacuates cylinders to eliminate all possible contaminants.
• Performs basic cylinder maintenance such as painting cylinders, labeling cylinders, and cleaning of work area.
• Inspects cylinders prior to filling, following standard procedures as required by government, Airgas, and distributor standards.
• Conducts a variety of Safety checks per procedures, such as odor tests, checking caps and valves.
• Fills cylinders by pressure and weight, per regulations and standards.
• Checks for cylinder quantities, styles and product, and/or assists with inventory.

Requirements

• HS Diploma Or Equivalent
• Preferred: Ability to safely operate a forklift (training may be provided).
• PREFERRED: Experience in a manufacturing operation; filling or loading experience is a plus. Familiarity with the gas, welding, and safety supply industry or chemical industry is valued.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to ensure team alignment.
• Ability to read and comprehend material safety data sheets to maintain a secure environment.
• Enjoys collaborating with a wide variety of people with different perspectives and backgrounds.
• Supportive customer service skills.
• Self-motivated and able to contribute effectively in a fast-paced environment to meet shared deadlines.
• High level of attention to detail and precision.
• Comfortable with basic calculations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing) in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentages.
• Physical dexterity to navigate the plant floor: includes walking, sitting, and using hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reaching, stooping, kneeling, or crouching as needed.
• Specific vision abilities to ensure safety: including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus on objects.
• Regularly utilizes physical coordination to stand, bend, stoop, reach, and grasp; ability to communicate and hear effectively within the facility.
• Sensory awareness to detect environmental cues, such as smelling or hearing gas to ensure site safety.
• Occasionally required to move through the facility, use hands for fine motor tasks or computer entry, and reach with hands and arms.
• Capacity to regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds and move up to 800 pounds with the assistance of material handling equipment.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma Or Equivalent
• Preferred: Ability to safely operate a forklift (training may be provided).
• PREFERRED: Experience in a manufacturing operation; filling or loading experience is a plus. Familiarity with the gas, welding, and safety supply industry or chemical industry is valued.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to ensure team alignment.
• Ability to read and comprehend material safety data sheets to maintain a secure environment.
• Enjoys collaborating with a wide variety of people with different perspectives and backgrounds.
• Supportive customer service skills.
• Self-motivated and able to contribute effectively in a fast-paced environment to meet shared deadlines.
• High level of attention to detail and precision.
• Comfortable with basic calculations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing) in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentages.
• Physical dexterity to navigate the plant floor: includes walking, sitting, and using hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reaching, stooping, kneeling, or crouching as needed.
• Specific vision abilities to ensure safety: including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus on objects.
• Regularly utilizes physical coordination to stand, bend, stoop, reach, and grasp; ability to communicate and hear effectively within the facility.
• Sensory awareness to detect environmental cues, such as smelling or hearing gas to ensure site safety.
• Occasionally required to move through the facility, use hands for fine motor tasks or computer entry, and reach with hands and arms.
• Capacity to regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds and move up to 800 pounds with the assistance of material handling equipment.

Skills

• Safe operation of forklift
• Handling and labeling of gas cylinders
• Understanding and managing hazardous materials
• Performing safety checks
• Compliance with government and company standards
• Basic math and calculation skills
• Physical coordination and dexterity
• Communication and collaboration skills

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pre-tax commuter transportation benefit
• Parental leave
• Vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave
• Paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees
• 401(k) plan with company matching funds
• Tuition reimbursement
• Discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents
• Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children

Pay

Competitive compensation package with a comprehensive benefits program.

Schedule

Flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the position and the business.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: HS Diploma Or Equivalent, Preferred: Ability to safely operate a forklift (training may be provided), Preferred Qualifications: Experience in a manufacturing operation; filling or loading experience is a plus. Familiarity with the gas, welding, and safety supply industry or chemical industry is valued. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to ensure team alignment. Ability to read and comprehend material safety data sheets to maintain a secure environment. Enjoys collaborating with a wide variety of people with different perspectives and backgrounds. Supportive customer service skills. Self-motivated and able to contribute effectively in a fast-paced environment to meet shared deadlines. High level of attention to detail and precision. Comfortable with basic calculations (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing) in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentages. Physical dexterity to navigate the plant floor: includes walking, sitting, and using hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reaching, stooping, kneeling, or crouching as needed. Specific vision abilities to ensure safety: including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus on objects. Regularly utilizes physical coordination to stand, bend, stoop, reach, and grasp; ability to communicate and hear effectively within the facility. Sensory awareness to detect environmental cues, such as smelling or hearing gas to ensure site safety. Occasionally required to move through the facility, use hands for fine motor tasks or computer entry, and reach with hands and arms. Capacity to regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds and move up to 800 pounds with the assistance of material handling equipment.

About Airgas

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions. Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment.