Plant Operator

Airgas is hiring for a Plant Operator in Elkhart, IN. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces unique perspectives.

About the role

The Plant Operator supports the team by 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 to ensure an organized workflow.
• Rolls cylinders and operates a forklift truck for the movement of cylinders on pallets.
• Develops an understanding of hazards of various gases; size and contents of cylinders by reading and interpreting cylinder labels and the color-coding of tanks.
• Accurately labels cylinders and safely cares for high-pressure, medical, and liquid cylinders.
• Prepares high pressure cylinders and cryogenic vessels for filling, attaches to manifold, and evacuates cylinders to eliminate contaminants.
• Contributes to basic cylinder maintenance such as painting cylinders, labeling cylinders, and cleaning the work area.
• Inspects cylinders prior to filling, following standard procedures as required by government, Airgas, and distributor standards.
• Conducts 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 the team with inventory.
• Coordinates documentation to DOT, FDA, OSHA, and Airgas standards.
• Completes quality control sheets as required.
• Upholds all government and company standards relating to the safe handling of hazardous materials/cylinder gases.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (required).
• 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.
• Ability to read and comprehend material safety data sheets.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ability to safely operate a forklift (training may be provided).

Qualifications

• Physical dexterity to navigate the plant floor: walking, sitting, and using hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reaching, stooping, kneeling, or crouching as needed.
• Specific vision abilities: 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.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Short-term and long-term disability, life, and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Pre-tax commuter transportation benefit.
• 14-week paid childbirth benefit for growing families.
• Parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty, and funeral/bereavement leave.
• Paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match.
• Tuition Assistance and discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents.
• Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.

Benefits start after 30 days of employment. Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement for eligibility details.