Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend equipment, such as cooling and freezing units, refrigerators, batch freezers, and freezing tunnels, to cool or freeze products, food, blood plasma, and chemicals.
How AI Impacts Each Task
19 tasks analyzed
Record temperatures, amounts of materials processed, or test results on report forms.
Monitor pressure gauges, ammeters, flowmeters, thermometers, or products, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions, such as feed rate, product consistency, temperature, air pressure, and machine speed.
Measure or weigh specified amounts of ingredients or materials, and load them into tanks, vats, hoppers, or other equipment.
Read dials and gauges on panel control boards to ascertain temperatures, alkalinities, and densities of mixtures, and turn valves to obtain specified mixtures.
Adjust machine or freezer speed and air intake to obtain desired consistency and amount of product.
Start machinery, such as pumps, feeders, or conveyors, and turn valves to heat, admit, or transfer products, refrigerants, or mixes.
Weigh packages and adjust freezer air valves or switches on filler heads to obtain specified amounts of product in each container.
Correct machinery malfunctions by performing actions such as removing jams, and inform supervisors of malfunctions as necessary.
Inspect and flush lines with solutions or steam, and spray equipment with sterilizing solutions.
Sample and test product characteristics such as specific gravity, acidity, and sugar content, using hydrometers, pH meters, or refractometers.
Load and position wrapping paper, sticks, bags, or cartons into dispensing machines.
Start agitators to blend contents, or start beater, scraper, and expeller blades to mix contents with air and prevent sticking.
Assemble equipment, and attach pipes, fittings, or valves, using hand tools.
Position molds on conveyors, and measure and adjust level of fill, using depth gauges.
Insert forming fixtures, and start machines that cut frozen products into measured portions or specified shapes.
Place or position containers into equipment, and remove containers after completion of cooling or freezing processes.
Scrape, dislodge, or break excess frost, ice, or frozen product from equipment to prevent accumulation, using hands and hand tools.
Activate mechanical rakes to regulate flow of ice from storage bins to vats.
Stir material with spoons or paddles to mix ingredients or allow even cooling and prevent coagulation.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record temperatures, amounts of materials processed, or test results on report forms. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Monitor pressure gauges, ammeters, flowmeters, thermometers, or products, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions, such as feed rate, product consistency, temperature, air pressure, and machine speed. | 85Estimated | 67.0% | 14% | |
| Measure or weigh specified amounts of ingredients or materials, and load them into tanks, vats, hoppers, or other equipment. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Read dials and gauges on panel control boards to ascertain temperatures, alkalinities, and densities of mixtures, and turn valves to obtain specified mixtures. | 85Estimated | 67.0% | 9% | |
| Adjust machine or freezer speed and air intake to obtain desired consistency and amount of product. | 80Estimated | 65.0% | 5% | |
| Start machinery, such as pumps, feeders, or conveyors, and turn valves to heat, admit, or transfer products, refrigerants, or mixes. | 85Estimated | 67.0% | 5% | |
| Weigh packages and adjust freezer air valves or switches on filler heads to obtain specified amounts of product in each container. | 90Estimated | 69.0% | 4% | |
| Correct machinery malfunctions by performing actions such as removing jams, and inform supervisors of malfunctions as necessary. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Inspect and flush lines with solutions or steam, and spray equipment with sterilizing solutions. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 5% | |
| Sample and test product characteristics such as specific gravity, acidity, and sugar content, using hydrometers, pH meters, or refractometers. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 5% | |
| Load and position wrapping paper, sticks, bags, or cartons into dispensing machines. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Start agitators to blend contents, or start beater, scraper, and expeller blades to mix contents with air and prevent sticking. | 85Estimated | 67.0% | 3% | |
| Assemble equipment, and attach pipes, fittings, or valves, using hand tools. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 5% | |
| Position molds on conveyors, and measure and adjust level of fill, using depth gauges. | 80Estimated | 65.0% | 3% | |
| Insert forming fixtures, and start machines that cut frozen products into measured portions or specified shapes. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Place or position containers into equipment, and remove containers after completion of cooling or freezing processes. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 8% | |
| Scrape, dislodge, or break excess frost, ice, or frozen product from equipment to prevent accumulation, using hands and hand tools. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Activate mechanical rakes to regulate flow of ice from storage bins to vats. | 80Estimated | 65.0% | 2% | |
| Stir material with spoons or paddles to mix ingredients or allow even cooling and prevent coagulation. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 3% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis