# Tasks & work activities — chemical processing plant controller

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 51-9011.00 (Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders).

## Task statements

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

## Detailed work activities

- Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
- Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
- Clean production equipment.
- Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
- Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.
- Direct operational or production activities.
- Estimate material requirements for production.
- Inspect production equipment.
- Load materials into production equipment.
- Lubricate production equipment.
- Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
- Maintain production or processing equipment.
- Maintain safety.
- Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
- Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
- Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
- Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
- Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment.
- Operate pumping systems or equipment.
- Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- Record operational or production data.
- Repair production equipment or tools.
- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
- Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.