Job description Process Control System Operator in the Halifax Region

Find out what work is like for a process control system operator in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing (NOC 93101).

Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing

Description

Central control and process operators in petroleum, gas and chemical processing monitor and operate petroleum, petrochemical and chemical plants and monitor, adjust and maintain processing units and equipment in these plants. They are employed by petroleum and natural gas processing, pipeline and petrochemical companies and industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

Work week duration

Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Operate electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units
  • Control process start-up, shut-down and troubleshooting
  • Monitor outside process equipment
  • Adjust equipment, valves, pumps and controls and process equipment
  • Authorize or co-sign maintenance work orders
  • Shut down, isolate and prepare process units or production equipment for maintenance
  • Sample products, perform tests, record data, carry out statistical process control on process operations, and write production logs
  • Develop operating procedures for normal operation, start-up or shut-down of unit
  • Participate in safety audits and programs and provide emergency response when required
  • Ensure adherence to safety and environmental regulations
  • May rotate between different processing units during shift cycles
  • May work in a team with shared supervisory responsibilities and participate in training other workers
  • May be cross-trained in a skilled trade and work in the trade during shift cycles.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Handling material manually
  • Standing
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Walking and running

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Pipeline and petrochemical companies
  • Petroleum and natural gas processing companies
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Industrial, agricultural and specialty chemical companies

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Standard safety equipment
  • Hazardous conditions
  • Hazardous equipment, machinery, tools
  • Sound and noise
  • Skin injury
  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • Indoors, environmentally controlled
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Outside, under cover

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 93101), and a list of similar occupations:

  • acid plant operator
  • chemical processing chief technician
  • chemical process operator
  • chlor-alkali plant cell room operator
  • gas field production operator
  • gas plant operator
  • gas recovery operator
  • master operator - chemical processing
  • oil refinery process operator
  • panel operator - chemical processing
  • petroleum process operator
  • pharmaceutical processing operator
  • pipeline compressor station operator
  • process technician - chemical processing
  • refinery process technician

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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