About This Program
The role of the Industrial Operator is to ensure that all equipment is being used properly and maintained to the correct standards in a manufacturing environment. It is their responsibility to evaluate and analyze any resulting data in order to find ways to improve efficiency and quality. The versatility of the skills and requirements for process technicians means that they often work in a variety of different projects from operating and maintaining equipment to storing, retrieving, mixing, and monitoring chemicals used in the production process. Individuals in this field work with other team members to complete the production process. Students completing the Industrial Operator program will have a basic understanding of the role of an industrial operator including plant operations, basic principles, equipment, tools storing, retrieving, mixing, and monitoring chemicals used in a production process. A review and practice of accident reporting, safety violations, company, local, state, and federal safety, and quality regulations is performed, along with discussing the potential jobs for quality Industrial Operator candidates in the Greater Rochester area.
Basic Math
Review of the basic math necessary to be successful in the career of industrial operator.
Program Outline
• Integers
• Algebra
• Measurement: Common units, conversion, temperature, area, volume, mass, and weight
Technical Reading
Learning how to look at and analyze technical readings and diagrams.
Program Outline
- Describe the purpose or function of process systems drawings.
- Identify the common components and information within process systems drawings.
- Identify the different drawing types and their uses (i.e, Process Flow Diagrams).
Basic Computer Skills
Review of computer basics and working on the computer.
Program Outline
- Navigating with a mouse
- Keyboard basics
- Word basics
- Excel basics
Basic Safety Skills- OSHA 10
Taking all sections and learning the skills necessary to pass the approved OSHA 10 course.
Program Outline
- OSHA 10-hour online training teaches basic safety and health information to entry-level workers in construction and general industry. This online training is part of the OSHA Outreach Training Program, which explains serious workplace hazards, workers’ rights, employer responsibilities and how to file an OSHA complaint.
Workplace Communication
The focus of this course is to review and practice important communication skills necessary to be a good team member
Program Outline
- Email use
- Resume
- Interpersonal communication
Overview of the Process Technology Industry
This course will describe the framework and history of NAPTA and various industries.
Program Outline
- Process Technology: An Overview
- Fossil Fuel Industries: Oil, Gas, and Mining Industries
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries
- Power Generation Industry
- Food and Beverage Industry
- Water and Wastewater Industry
- Pulp and Paper Industry
- Local industries
Introduction to Tools and Equipment used in Process Industries
This course is designed to cover the basics of various types of tools.
Program Outline
- Describe the appropriate uses of basic hand tools.
- Describe the appropriate uses of basic power tools.
- Describe the appropriate uses of sparking and non-sparking tools.
- Describe hand and power tool safety.
- Describe the appropriate care of hand and power tools.
Basic Physics
Program Description
This course is designed to look at phases of matter and the physics applications.
Program Outline
- Broad overview and definition.
- Define the application of physics in the process industries.
- Define matter and the states in which it exists.
- Use physical property characteristics to describe various states of matter (liquid, gas, and solids).
- Basic relationship of pressure and temperature.
- Volume
Basic Chemistry
Program Description
This course will look at the basic building blocks of chemistry and the physical properties of materials.
Program Outline
- Define the application of chemistry in the process industries.
- Overview of the periodic table.
- Describe the relationship between molecules and atoms.
- Describe the difference between an acid and a base (caustic).
- Physical properties of materials.
- Describe the method of measurement for acids and bases. (What is pH?)
- Kinetics of reaction – speed of reaction
- Endothermic and exothermic
Safety, Health, and the Environment
Program Description
This course is designed to teach the necessary components of being safe in the workplace.
Program Outline
- Discuss the safety, health, and environmental hazards found in the process industries.
- Identify common types of hazards to health, environmental and safety
- Describe the personal attitudes and behaviors that can help to prevent workplace accidents and incidents.
- Identify specific categories of hazardous chemicals used in the process industries and describe the potential health and environmental hazards posed by each (e.g., asphyxiates, corrosives, toxins).
- Explain the purpose and function of labeling systems found in local process industries.
- Explain the purpose and components of Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
- Describe the three major types of hazard controls.
- Engineering
- Administrative
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Discuss why, when, and how these controls are applied
Piping and Valves
Program Description
This course will explore the types and functions of various piping and valves. Learners will be able to identify hazardous situations and how to avoid them.
Program Outline
• Describe the purpose or function of piping and valves in the process industries.
• Identify the different materials used to manufacture piping and valve components.
• Identify the different types of piping and valve connecting methods.
• Identify the different types of pipe fittings used in the industry and their application.
• Identify the different types of valves used in the industry and their application.
• Discuss the hazards associated with the improper operation of a valve
• Describe the monitoring and maintenance activities associated with piping and valve.
Tanks, Drums and Vessels
Program Description
This course will explore the types and functions of various pumps. Learners will be able to identify hazardous situations and how to avoid them.
Program Outline
• Describe the purpose or function of tanks, drums, and vessels in the process industries.
• Explain the relationship of pressure to the vessel shape and wall thickness.
• Describe the purpose of dikes, firewalls and containment walls around tanks, drums, and vessels.
• Describe the monitoring and maintenance activities associated with tank operations.
• Identify the symbols used to represent the different types of tanks, drums, and vessels.
• Identify possible impacts from the following:
o Improper valve lineup
o Loss of nitrogen flow
o Cross contamination
o Failure of vent system
o Leaks/Spills
o Chemical Reactions (such as corrosion, pH, etc.)
Pumps
Program Description
This course will describe the two types of pumps and the hazards attached to their use.
Program Outline
- Describe the purpose or function of pumps in the process industries.
- Explain the difference between the two common types of pumps used in the process industries:
- Centrifugal (horizontal and vertical)
- Positive displacement (rotary and reciprocating)
- Identify the primary parts of a typical centrifugal pump.
- Describe the operations of a centrifugal pump.
- Explain the difference between the rotary and reciprocating positive displacement pumps.
- Identify the primary parts of various positive displacement pumps.
- Describe the operations of a positive displacement pump.
- Discuss the hazards associated with the improper operation of both the positive displacement and centrifugal pump:
- Personnel hazards
- Equipment hazards
- Production
- Environment
Process Control Instrumentation
Program Description
This course looks at the indicators, inputs, and instrumentation of various process utilities.
Program Outline
- Describe the purpose or function of process control instrumentation in the process industries.
- Describe the difference between process control indicators and control loop inputs.
- Describe the major types of process control instrumentation.
- Electronic
- Pneumatic
- Digital
- Analog
- Define a generic control loop and provide an example.
- Identify four key variables which are controlled by process control instrumentation
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Level
- Flow
- Identify typical process control instruments, their applications, and functions.
- Describe distributive control systems and how they are applied in the process industries.
- Discuss the hazards associated with process control instruments (i.e., positioners, fail open/fail closed, leaks).
Process Utilities
Program Description
This course is an overview of the numerous utilities, their applications, and the equipment necessary.
Program Outline
- Discuss the different types of process utilities and their applications:
- Water Systems (Boiler feed water, Drinking water, Cooling water, Fire water, Service water, Process water, Potable water, Condensate)
- Steam
- Electrical
- Air Systems (Plant, instrument air, breathing)
- Sour water
- Gas Systems (Fuel Gas, Natural gas, nitrogen, etc.)
- CO2 (carbon monoxide)
- Describe the different types of equipment associated with each of the utility systems found in the process industries.
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