Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

• Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
• 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.
• Implement appropriate industrial emergency response procedures.
• Read plant specifications to determine products, ingredients, or prescribed modifications of plant 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.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders.

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders.