SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Chemical Operator
  • Chlorination Operator
  • Multiskill Operator
  • Outside Operator
  • Process Operator
  • Spray Dry Operator
  • Vessel Operator

What do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders do?

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders operate or tend to the machinery and equipment used in the chemical production process. They are responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient functioning of chemical production systems, monitoring processes, and making adjustments as needed to maintain quality and safety standards. These professionals work in various industries, including petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals, where they may be involved in mixing, blending, or fermenting processes to create chemical products. Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders typically monitor gauges, meters, and control panels to oversee the equipment's functioning, and they must adhere to strict safety regulations to mitigate the risks associated with handling hazardous materials. Their role often involves troubleshooting and maintaining equipment, collaborating with chemical engineers and other technicians, and participating in routine inspections and quality control measures to ensure production efficiency.

What the work actually is

  • Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
  • Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
  • Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
  • Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
  • Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Chemistry Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Some college, no degree
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

A normal week

  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Getting Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Electronic mail software IBM Notes · Microsoft Outlook
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software SAP software
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software

Tools

  • Air dryers Batch dryers · Belt dryers · Pneumatic conveying dryers
  • Laboratory separators Gas-liquid separators · Liquid-liquid separators
  • Evaporative coolers Cooling towers · Tray towers
  • Storage tanks Soap-spray storage tanks · Storage drums
  • Fans Axial flow fans · Centrifugal fans

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

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Questions people ask

How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders earn in South Africa?

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders do?

Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions, Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results and Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.