skillfactor-pipeline/skills/steam-plant-operator/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — steam plant operator

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 51-8021.00 (Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators) — manual nearest-occupation mapping via ISCO group 8182; the official ESCO crosswalk has no entry for this ESCO occupation.

Task statements

• [Core] Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
• [Core] Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
• [Core] Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
• [Core] Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
• [Core] Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
• [Supplemental] Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
• [Core] Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.
• [Core] Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
• [Core] Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
• [Core] Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
• [Core] Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
• [Core] Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
• [Core] Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
• [Core] Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
• [Core] Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
• [Core] Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
• [Core] Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
• [Core] Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
• [Core] Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
• [Core] Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
• [Supplemental] Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
• [Core] Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
• [Supplemental] Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
• [Supplemental] Investigate and report on accidents.
• [Supplemental] Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.

Detailed work activities

• Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
• Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
• Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Adjust flow of electricity to tools or production equipment.
• Assemble electromechanical or hydraulic systems.
• Clean production equipment.
• Confer with others to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions.
• Direct operational or production activities.
• Exchange information with colleagues.
• Ignite fuel to activate heating equipment.
• Inspect production equipment.
• Investigate accidents to determine causes.
• Lubricate production equipment.
• Maintain production or processing equipment.
• Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
• Monitor equipment fluid levels.
• Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
• Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.
• Operate energy distribution equipment.
• Operate energy production equipment.
• Operate industrial equipment.
• Operate pumping systems or equipment.
• Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
• Record operational or production data.
• Repair production equipment or tools.
• Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
• Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
• Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
• Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.