Machine Operators in Chemical Plants and Plastics Processing

Nature of work

This group includes many machine-related jobs that require some skill and are generally performed inside a building. These workers assist with repairs and maintenance of machinery; handle materials; monitor machine operations; and clean work areas.

Chemical plant machine operators monitor and operate units and machinery to blend, mix, process, and package a wide range of specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cleaning and toiletry products. They are primarily employed in chemical, cleaning compound, ink and adhesive industries, but may also be employed by chemical processing departments in other industries.

Plastics processing machine operators set up and operate plastic mixing, calendaring, extruding, and moulding processing machines used in the manufacture of plastic parts and plastic products. They are employed by plastic products manufacturing companies.

Job duties

Chemical plant machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:

• Monitor meters, gauges and electronic instrumentation on one or more chemical or formulation units, such as mixers, kettles, blenders, dryers, tabletting, encapsulation, granulation and coating machines.
• Measure, weigh and load chemical ingredients following formulation cards.
• Start up, shut down, troubleshoot and clean equipment.
• Adjust processing machines and equipment.
• Monitor reaction processes and transfers of products in conformance with safety procedures.
• Take samples and perform routine chemical and physical tests of products.
• Record production data.
• May operate equipment from a control room or from control consoles located near the production units.

Plastics processing machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:

• Set up and operate machines.
• Adjust equipment for production line change.
• Monitor operation and regulate material supply Operate controls to regulate temperature, speed, and other processing conditions.
• Maintain and perform minor repairs on machinery as required.
• Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.
• Monitor quality of material produced.

Sample job titles

• chemical plant machine operator
• cosmetics and perfume maker
• fibreglass machine operator - plastic manufacturing
• machine operator - plastics processing
• mixer - chemical processing
• moulder - chemical processing
• packaging machine operator - chemical processing
• press operator - plastic manufacturing
• solution mixer operator - plastic manufacturing

Skills

To work in these jobs, you should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical aptitude are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor. To work as a water/wastewater operator completion of high school is required and on-the-job training is provided. A combination of education and experience is required for certification. For other jobs in this group the completion of high school is usually required and on-the-job training is provided.

Job requirements

• Completion of high school is usually required.
• On-the-job training is usually provided.
• Completion of formal and informal company training may be required for some positions.
• Completion of specialized courses may be required for some positions.
• Certification in the transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), first aid, firefighting or workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) may be required for some jobs in this group.

Other considerations

Previous experience as an assistant, helper, tender or packer, often in the same company, may be required as an entry point to these positions. Mobility between employers producing similar products is possible particularly for some of the higher skilled operators in this grouping. Progression to supervisory positions or to process control jobs is possible with experience. Personal protective equipment may be required when working with some types of chemicals or pharmaceuticals.

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Contacts

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