Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9011
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
• 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.
• Read plant specifications to determine products, ingredients, or prescribed modifications of plant procedures.
• Implement appropriate industrial emergency response procedures.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Agitator tanks, Air purifying respirators, Air scrubbers, Augers, Axial flow fans, Barometers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Chemical Plant and System Operators
• Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
• Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
• Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
• Biomass Plant Technicians
• Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.