313 Process Control Technicians

Power production plant operators operate, monitor and maintain switchboards and related equipment in electrical control centres which control the production and distribution of electrical or other power in transmission networks. The equipment operated includes reactors, turbines, generators and other auxiliary equipment in electrical power-generating stations. Tasks include - (a) operating, monitoring and inspecting various types of energy-generating power plants; (b) operating and controlling power-generating systems and equipment including boilers, turbines, generators, condensers and reactors in hydro, thermal, coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power plants to generate and distribute electrical power; (c) controlling start-up and shut-down of power plant equipment, controlling switching operations, regulating water levels and communicating with systems operators to regulate and coordinate transmission loads, frequency and line voltages; (d) taking readings from charts, meters and gauges at established intervals, troubleshooting and performing corrective action as necessary; (e) completing and maintaining station records, logs and reports, and communicating with other plant personnel to assess equipment operating status; (f) cleaning and maintaining equipment such as generators, boilers, turbines, pumps and compressors in order to prevent equipment failure or deterioration. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Distribution control operator - Electric power plant operator - Generating station operator - Hydroelectric power plant operator - Nuclear power plant operator - Power system operator - Solar power plant operator Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Steam engine and boiler operators - 8182.

Incinerator and water treatment plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in solid and liquid waste treatment plants to regulate the treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes, and in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water. Tasks include - (a) operating and monitoring computerized control systems, machinery and related equipment in wastewater treatment, sewage treatment, and liquid waste plants to regulate flow, treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes, and in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water for human consumption and for later disposal into natural water systems; (b) controlling the operation of multiple-hearth incinerator furnaces and related equipment to burn sludge and solid waste in waste treatment plants; (c) inspecting equipment and monitoring operating conditions, meters, filters, chlorinators and gauges in central control rooms to determine load requirements, to verify that flows, pressures and temperatures are within specification, and to detect malfunctions; (d) monitoring and adjusting controls of auxiliary equipment such as exhaust emissions, scrubbers and incinerator heat recovery units; (e) collecting and testing water and sewage samples for chemical and bacterial content, using test equipment and colour analysis standards; (f) analysing test results to make adjustments to plant equipment and systems to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids; (g) performing security and safety checks in plant and on grounds; (h) completing and maintaining plant logs and reports. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Incinerator operator - Liquid waste process operator - Pumping-station operator - Sewage plant operator - Wastewater operator - Water treatment plant operator.

Chemical processing plant controllers operate and monitor chemical plants and related multi-function process control machinery, and adjust and maintain processing units and equipment which distil, filter, separate, heat or refine chemicals. Tasks include - (a) operating electronic or computerized control panels from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units; (b) adjusting equipment, valves, pumps, controls and process equipment; (c) controlling the preparation, measuring and feeding of raw materials and processing agents such as catalysts and filtering media into plant; (d) controlling process start-up and shut-down, troubleshooting and monitoring outside process equipment; (e) verifying equipment for malfunctions, carrying out routine operating tests and arranging for maintenance; (f) analysing sample products, performing tests, recording data and writing production logs. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Chemical filtering and separating equipment operator - Chemical heat treating plant operator - Chemical process technician - Chemical still and reactor operator Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Petroleum and natural gas refining plant operator - 3134 - Chemical products plant and machine operator - 8131.

Petroleum and natural gas refining plant operators operate and monitor plants and adjust and maintain processing units and equipment which refine, distil and treat petroleum, petroleum-based products and by-products, or natural gas. Tasks include - (a) operating electronic or computerized control panels from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units; (b) adjusting equipment, valves, pumps, controls and process equipment; (c) controlling process start-up and shut-down, troubleshooting and monitoring outside process equipment; (d) verifying equipment for malfunctions, testing well pipes for leaks and fractures and arranging for maintenance; (e) analysing sample products, performing tests, recording data and writing production logs. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Blender operator (petroleum and natural gas refining ) - Gas plant operator - Paraffin plant operator - Petroleum process operator - Refinery process technician - Still operator (petroleum and natural gas refining) Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Chemical processing plant controller - 3133 - Chemical products plant and machine operator - 8131.

Metal production process controllers operate and monitor multi-function process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of metal converting and refining furnaces, metal-rolling mills, metal heat-treating or metal-extrusion plant. Tasks include - (a) coordinating and monitoring the operation of a particular aspect of metal processing production through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems, usually from a central control room; (b) operating multi-function central process control machinery to grind, separate, filter, melt, roast, treat, refine or otherwise process metals; (c) observing computer printouts, video monitors and gauges to verify specified processing conditions and to make necessary adjustments; (d) coordinating and supervising production crew such as machine and process operators, assistants and helpers; (e) starting up and shutting down the production system in cases of emergency or as required by schedule; (f) providing and organizing training for members of production crews; (g) maintaining shift logs of production and other data and preparing production and other reports. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Blast furnace operator - Central control caster - Rolling mill control operator Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Ladle pourer - 8121 - Steel roller - 8121 - Metal finishing machine operator - 8122.

This unit group covers process control technicians not classified elsewhere in Minor Group 313: Process Control Technicians. For instance, the unit group includes those who operate multiple process control equipment in manufacturing assembly lines and paper and pulp production. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Automated assembly line operator - Industrial robot controller - Panel board operator (pulp and paper) - Paper pulp refinery operator - Pulping control operator - Pulping technician Note All mining plant operators are classified in Unit Group 8111: Miners and Quarriers.