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Chemical Operator

Company:

INEOS Phenol

Interested in joining a winning team? A team whose employees share in the ownership of the business and are empowered to make a difference?

Department

Production

Location

Mobile, AL

Organizational context and job purpose

INEOS Phenol is the world’s largest producer of phenol and acetone with an annual manufacturing capacity of over 3 million tonnes per annum. We employ around 600 people across four sites, located at: Antwerp (Belgium), Gladbeck (Germany), Marl (Germany), Mobile, AL and Pasadena, TX. Our markets are growing worldwide. Our efficient, integrated assets provide a competitive global manufacturing base to grow with our customers, to continue to meet their needs around the world.

How the Role fits In:

Operates equipment in production systems, prepares solutions, monitors certain measuring instruments and equipment, assists in unloading and loading operations, and is able to operate the process from the DCS / PLC.  Carries out cleaning, maintenance, and minor repair work in the production systems. Progresses within the department based on training requirements and performance reviews to the position of an Area Operator. Progresses to the position of Back-Up Lead Operator at the discretion of Production Management.

Responsibilities AND Accountabilities

SHE Stewardship

  • Maintain safety as the highest priority and abide by all INEOS safety policies and procedures.

  • Understand and promote the INEOS “20 Principles of Safety”, assuring that others are aware of safe working practices and promote the safety concepts of “Coaching for Safety” and “Stop Work”.

  • Promote safety and safe actions through communication such as discussing safety with employees/contractors before job task, during meetings, and as opportunities arise to promote safety to the fullest extent possible.

  • Ensure compliance with all safety and environmental regulatory requirements and strive to meet internal SHE objectives.

  • Complete training requirements as outlined in the annual training schedule.

Work Duties

Accountability 1 (C, B, A, Area Operator Trainee)

  • Make repeated trips through the entire plant area to visually inspect equipment for leaks and hazards and to record gauge readings and plant conditions on specified round sheets.

  • Make appropriate adjustments to meet safety, quality and environmental requirements.  Tend equipment or semi-automatic system that processes chemical substances into industrial intermediate and finished products.

  • Confer with peers, technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency and product quality.

  • Feed specified amounts of materials into vessels or tanks by using skid unit PLC’s; and turn valves to feed liquid and gaseous materials through equipment units; or set controls in specified sequence on skid unit PLC’s to start automatic feed.

  • Perform manual field adjustments to maintain desired operating parameters.  This would typically consist of but not be limited to adjusting manual valves or local controller setpoints to maintain desired temperature, pressure, flow, level, and vacuum levels.

  • Record process information and operating activities on log sheets and in log books.

  • Collect process samples as outlined in the sample plan or as requested.  Make visual comparisons of samples to determine if they are of the proper color, temperature, viscosity, etc.  Perform routine lab analysis on collected samples.  This would typically include but not be limited to pH, conductivity, temperature, and color. 

  • Work in conjunction with Lead and Chief Operators to safely Startup, Operate, and Shutdown processes under normal and emergency conditions as outlined in operating procedures.  This will require communication of field information and performing field adjustments.  Must be able to accomplish this task in a breathing air unit.

  • Update shift supervision and/or Lead operator on process conditions.  This would typically include but not be limited to process changes, upset conditions, rate changes, and equipment failures.

  • Work in conjunction with other outside operators to maintain stable operation of the plant by communicating pertinent process information.  This would typically include but not be limited to process changes, upset conditions, rate changes, and equipment failures.

  • Prepare equipment safely for maintenance work and assist maintenance personnel in plant repairs and routine maintenance including removing and installing piping systems, valves, pumps, blinds, control units, etc.  Assistance includes pulling, pushing, lifting, carrying parts, equipment and tools.  Use appropriate tools and Personal Protective Equipment to properly open, close, remove and secure items.

  • Installs and removes piping systems, valves, pumps, blinds, control units etc., at the discretion of Shift Supervision / Lead Operator due to routine and non-routine plant troubleshooting, using proper tools and Personal Protective Equipment.

  • Perform truck loading and unloading operations. Loading activities are detailed in the Loading Operator job description. Chemical Operators are to assist in the Truck & Rail area on loading activities to the extent that their individual training requires.

  • Perform routine and non-routine housekeeping required to maintain designated process areas clean and safe. (Added per notes)

Accountability 2 (Area Operator)

  • Maintains proficiencies as described in Accountability 1.

  • Routinely work as a Chief Operator to maintain knowledge of control room operations and/or cover for a vacant position.

  • Assist supervision in developing and reviewing operating procedures.

  • Assist shift supervision in the training of operators on designated process area.

  • Assist the Safety Department in reviewing and auditing the process as requested.

Accountability 3 (Regulatory/Certification Requirements/Safety)

  • Maintain up-to-date certifications, qualifications, and training records based on regulatory agency compliance and the INEOS emergency response team requirements. This can include off-site activities.

  • Maintain up-to-date certifications, qualifications, and training records based on the INEOS operator progression and training policy.

  • Perform Job Tasks as outlined in JTBs and SOPs.

  • Adheres to and promotes the INEOS SHE 20 Principles.

Accountability 4 (Back-Up Lead Operator – Optional)

  • Routinely work as a Back-Up Lead Operator to maintain knowledge of Lead Operator responsibilities and/or cover for a vacant position.

Skills & Knowledge Required

Education/Experience

The use of the following office equipment will be required: Personal computer, calculator, multi-line telephone, copier, printer, scanner, fax

The use of the following software could be required: Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook), Skype, Visio, Adobe (PDF), Share Point, SAP, Microsoft Project

The use of the following site systems could be required: Emerson Distributive Control System, PI Data Historian, COA Database, Training Mine, Alfresco Document Management, Esker

The use of the following tools & equipment could be required: two-way radio, LEL/O2 meter, forklift, loading chocks, rail switching engine, hand tools, power tools, ladder, chain fall, power washer, manlift

Skills/Competencies

Ability to use: Two-way radio, explosion meter (MSA 260), Draeger sniffer, forklift, loading chocks, trac-mobile, hand tools, telephone, calculator, chemical suit, self-contained breathing apparatus, ladder, pH & density meter, chain hoists, power washer, personal computer, Distributive Control System (DCS).

Physical Requirements

Medium Work:  Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Possible Conditions to be Subjected to:

The worker is subject to both environmental conditions:  Activities occur inside and outside.

  • The worker is subject to extreme cold:  Temperature below 32 degrees F for periods of more than one hour.

  • The worker is subject to extreme heat:  Temperatures above 100 degrees F for periods of more than one hour.

  • The worker is subject to noise:  There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.

  • The worker is subject to vibration:  Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.

  • The worker is subject to hazards:  Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places (>100 feet), exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.

  • The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions:  One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system or the skin:  fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

  • The worker is subject to oils:  There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.

  • The worker is required to wear a respirator.

  • The worker is required to don a gas mask.

Disclaimer

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or require that different tasks be performed when circumstance change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).


* Starting rate based on experience*

Our culture is one of honesty and integrity with an emphasis on safety, health and environmental performance.On our team, people are acknowledged for embracing new practices that help create real value for customers.