Operator, dewatering, mercerisation and baling

Pulp and papermaking plant operators operate and monitor equipment for processing wood, cellulose and other cellulosic materials to produce pulp and paper.

• operating and monitoring screening, bleaching, digesting, washing and mixing vats and other pulp processing equipment, and carrying out one or more processes in pulp processing;
• operating and monitoring machines and equipment for producing and surface-treating paper, such as drying, calendering, laminating, coating, cutting, trimming, winding or similar processes;
• starting and stopping machines and equipment, and monitoring control panel indicators, gauges and other instruments to detect malfunctions and ensure that production processes are carried out according to specifications;
• communicating with supervising operators to regulate production processes and to start and stop machines and equipment when necessary;
• analysing gauge readings, testing samples, and adjusting production processes and equipment as required;
• installing, positioning and lifting wound reels with hoisting equipment;
• visually inspecting paper for wrinkles, holes, streaks or other defects and taking action to correct them;
• completing and maintaining production records.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Operator, solution and pulp preparation for membranes and diaphragms
• Operator, pulp cleaning
• Operator, pulp dissolving
• Operator, fine supercalendering
• Machine operator, wood pulping
• Machine operator, paper production