Steam plant operators operate and maintain mechanical equipment such as stationary engines and boilers to provide utilities for domestic or industrial use. They monitor proceedings to ensure compliance with safety regulations, and perform tests to ensure quality.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Operating, cleaning, lubricating and monitoring steam engines, boilers and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, compressors and air-conditioning equipment to supply and maintain steam and power for buildings, marine vessels or pneumatic tools;
(b) Analysing and recording instrument readings, troubleshooting and performing minor repairs to prevent equipment or system failure;
(c) Monitoring and inspecting performance of equipment for efficient operation and ensuring boiler water, chemical, and fuel are maintained at required levels;
(d) Firing coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps;
(e) Testing boiler water quality or arrange for testing, adjusting and taking necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits;
(f) Monitoring ship’s engine, machinery and equipment indicators, recording variables and reporting abnormalities to ship’s engineer officer on watch;
(g) Operating and maintaining off-loading liquid pumps and valves.