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Career Description

Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels.

What Job Titles Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Might Have

• Chemical Operator
• Operator
• Production Operator
• Production Technician

What Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Do

• Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
• Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
• Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
• Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
• Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
• Adjust controls to regulate temperature, pressure, feed, or flow of liquids or gases and times of prescribed reactions, according to knowledge of equipment and processes.
• Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.
• Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, concentrations, or viscosities or send them to laboratories for testing.
• Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks or malfunctions, shutting equipment down if necessary.
• Open valves or start pumps, agitators, reactors, blowers, or automatic feed of materials.
• Read plant specifications to determine products, ingredients, or prescribed modifications of plant procedures.
• Implement appropriate industrial emergency response procedures.
• Measure, weigh, and mix chemical ingredients, according to specifications.
• Dump or scoop prescribed solid, granular, or powdered materials into equipment.
• Notify maintenance engineers of equipment malfunctions.
• Estimate materials required for production and manufacturing of products.
• Add treating or neutralizing agents to products and pump products through filters or centrifuges to remove impurities or to precipitate products.
• Observe and compare colors and consistencies of products to instrument readings and to laboratory and standard test results.
• Direct activities of workers assisting in control or verification of processes or in unloading of materials.
• Drain equipment and pump water or other solutions through to flush and clean tanks or equipment.
• Flush or clean equipment, using steam hoses or mechanical reamers.
• Make minor repairs, lubricate, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
• Inventory supplies received and consumed.

What Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Should Be Good At

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

What Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Should Be Interested In

• Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

What Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Need to Learn

• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.