Pulp Mill Machine Operators

Nature of work

Pulp mill machine operators use and monitor processing machinery and equipment to make pulp. They work for pulp and paper companies.

Job duties

Pulp mill machine operators:

• Use and monitor pulp processing machinery and equipment.
• Watch equipment and machinery panel indicators, gauges, level indicators and other equipment instruments to detect machinery and equipment malfunctions and make sure process steps followed.
• Communicate with pulping control operator to make process changes and start up or shut down machinery and equipment as needed.
• Collect processing samples and do titration tests, pH readings, specific density tests and other routine tests on pulp and solutions.
• Complete and maintain production reports.

Sample job titles

• assistant bleacher operator
• assistant digester operator
• cook - pulp and paper
• cook's first helper
• digester operator
• field operator
• grinderperson
• refiner operator
• repulper operator
• screenperson
• thermomechanical pulp operator

Skills

• You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and mechanical ability are important. You must be able to follow directions and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

• High school is needed.
• A college diploma in forest products processing or a related subject may be necessary.
• Several weeks of formal company training and several months of on-the-job training is necessary.
• Experience as a pulp mill labourer within the same company is usually needed.
• A certificate in industrial first aid may be necessary.

Other considerations

• These are largely rural jobs, and self-employment is not common. There is limited movement among jobs within this group. Movement to pulping control operator is possible with experience.

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Contacts

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