Career Details
Career Details
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Career Details
51-9011.00 - Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
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.
Key Facts

Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
66,300
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
60,800
Estimate
Change in Employment
-5,500
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-8.3%
Estimate
Tasks

Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
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.
- Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
- Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.
- Control or 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 or malfunctions, shutting equipment down, if necessary.
- Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
- Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, 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.
- Notify maintenance engineers of equipment malfunctions.
- Add treating or neutralizing agents to products, and pump products through filters or centrifuges to remove impurities or to precipitate products.
- Open valves or start pumps, agitators, reactors, blowers, or automatic feed of materials.
- Read plant specifications to determine products, ingredients, or prescribed modifications of plant procedures.
- Drain equipment, and pump water or other solutions through to flush and clean tanks or equipment.
- Make minor repairs, lubricate, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
- Flush or clean equipment, using steam hoses or mechanical reamers.
- Observe and compare colors and consistencies of products to instrument readings and to laboratory and standard test results.
- Implement appropriate industrial emergency response procedures.
- Dump or scoop prescribed solid, granular, or powdered materials into equipment.
- Estimate materials required for production and manufacturing of products.
- Inventory supplies received and consumed.
- Direct activities of workers assisting in control or verification of processes or in unloading of materials.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge

Knowledge
The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools

Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology

Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications

Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing

Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.