National
| Median wages (2008) |
$21.76 hourly, $45,260 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
53,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Decline slowly or moderately (-3% to -9%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
12,000 additional employees |
51-9011.00 - Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Chemical Operator, Production Operator, Production Technician, Vessel Operator, Chemical Processor, Multiskill Operator, Outside Operator, Chlorination Operator, Process Operator, Spray Dry Operator
Tasks
- Adjust controls to regulate temperature, pressure, feed, and flow of liquids and gases, and times of prescribed reactions, according to knowledge of equipment and processes.
- Observe safety precautions to prevent fires and explosions.
- Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.
- Control and operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
- Measure, weigh, and mix chemical ingredients, according to specifications.
- Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks and malfunctions, shutting equipment down if necessary.
- Patrol work areas to detect leaks and equipment malfunctions, and to monitor operating conditions.
- Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, and concentrations or viscosities, or send them to laboratories for testing.
- Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
- Record operational data such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Air dryers — Batch dryers; Industrial dryers; Pneumatic conveying dryers; Rotary cylindrical dryers |
| Chemical tanks — Blending vessels; Chemical reactor vessels |
| Evaporative coolers — Cooling towers; Tray towers |
| Fans — Axial flow fans; Centrifugal fans |
| Gas recovery machinery — Gas expanders; Recovery units |
| Processing tanks — Agitator tanks; Neutralizer tanks |
| Storage tanks — Soap-spray storage tanks; Storage drums |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Electronic mail software — IBM Lotus Notes |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
| 51-4072.00 |
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4081.00 |
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
|
| 51-4122.00 |
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
|
| 51-4193.00 |
Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-6061.00 |
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders |
| 51-8011.00 |
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators 
|
| 51-8031.00 |
Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant and System Operators |
| 51-8093.00 |
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers |
| 51-9061.00 |
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
|
| 51-9121.00 |
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders |
