Weaving Operator

Knowledge & Experience: Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Skills & Abilities: Must be able to read, write, perform simple math and be able to follow written/verbal instructions. Must have good manual dexterity.

Working Conditions: Must be willing to work 12-hour shifts (day or night). Must be able to work overtime as required. Must be able to stand and perform strenuous work for long hours in heat, cold, humidity and noise. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. without causing injury to him/herself.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Resets the production clock on each machine he or she operates.
• Ensures that all safety guards are in place on each machine. If they arent, informs the supervisor.
• Ensures all rollers on the loom and take-up are working properly and are clean of selvage or fill yarn. Ensures that all sand roller and press roll coverings are in good shape and are not damaging the fabric.
• Keeps the machines running by keeping fill yarn in creels and warp ends weaving properly. Notifies supervisor when fill yarn is needed or when problems with a warp occur.
• Stops the machine and flags it for a mechanic if problems occur that stop production or if there is a quality problem in the fabric that is caused by a problem with the loom. Once repaired, if the machine still does not run properly, it is the loom operators responsibility to stop the machine again! If this happens, informs the supervisor of the problem. DOES NOT run bad fabric just because a mechanic has worked on the machine.
• Watches for quality problems with the fabric. Runs hand across the width of the fabric to feel for imperfections. Rubs in both the warp and fill directions to determine if a defect is present, such as tight ends in the warp or heavy spots in the filling.
• Looks for repeating defects. If found, stops the loom and corrects the problem, if possible. If not, flags the loom for a fixer. Follows up soon after to ensure the problem has been corrected.
• Looks up through the fabric to check for streaks or other visual distortions. If a problem exists, stops the loom and corrects the problem, if possible. If not, alerts the QC for that shift and informs the shift supervisor that there is a problem so they can make a decision on what should be done.
• Notifies the QC or the supervisor when he or she has a start-up that needs to be signed in. All start-ups must be signed in!
• Cuts all rolls of fabric, either on a start-up or when any roll on one of the machines gets to the 30 diameter maximum size.
• At the end of the shift, leaves the work area clean and the machines running. Communicates with on-coming operator regarding any loom or quality problems.
• Meets or exceeds the 12-hour production requirements for assigned looms.
• Maintains a clean, safe work area and helps with housekeeping as much as possible. Ensures all small tubes are stacked neatly in one area for the Servicer to pick up. If the tube is visible through the yarn, cuts off yarn. Helps sweep around machines and keeps selvage waste picked up and placed in trashcans. Helps keep the wheels on the trailers, forklifts, and tow trucks clean by not throwing yarn on the floor.
• Follows all safety requirements for the job and uses the required personal protective equipment supplied (safety glasses and hearing protection.) Reports any safety hazards to the supervisor.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by the supervisor or department manager.