Asphalt plant operator

Asphalt plant operators extract raw materials such as sand and stones and operate mobile equipment for their transport to the plant. They tend automated machines to crush and sort out stones, and to mix the sand and stones with asphalt cement. Asphalt is a sticky black substance that’s commonly used in road construction and repair. It’s also used in the production of other materials such as roofing shingles, waterproof coatings, and more. They take samples to check the quality of the mix and arrange for its transport to the construction site.

The duties of an asphalt plant operator include, but are not limited to:

• Operating asphalt mixing equipment to mix materials such as aggregate, sand, and other additives to produce asphalt mix for construction projects
• Monitoring asphalt temperature and viscosity during mixing operations to ensure compliance with specifications
• Operating asphalt recycling equipment to grind old asphalt pavement into a fine granular material for reuse in new asphalt pavement
• Operating asphalt plant equipment to spread asphalt on road surfaces or other surfaces such as roofs or playgrounds
• Operating asphalt batch plants that produce hot mix asphalt for paving operations
• Operating asphalt drum mix plants that produce cold mix asphalt for uses such as patching potholes in existing roads
• Controlling machinery used to spread, compact, and finish layers of asphalt
• Installing asphalt plants at construction sites to produce asphalt for paving operations
• Operating an asphalt recycling plant to grind old asphalt pavement into a fine granular material for reuse in new asphalt pavement

Asphalt plant operators typically work full time, and some may work more than 40 hours per week. They may work early morning, evening, or night shifts, as well as weekends. They may be exposed to loud noise from the machinery, fumes, and high temperatures. Some asphalt plant operators may be required to wear hearing protection and respirators.

The following job titles also refer to asphalt plant operator:

asphalt plant operative
mobile plant operator
mobile plant operator, asphalt
plant operative, asphalt production
asphalt production worker
aggregates and asphalt worker
plant operative, asphalt
asphalt production plant worker
asphalt plant worker
asphalt production plant operator
asphalt production plant operative

A high school diploma is generally required to work as asphalt plant operator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Asphalt plant operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to asphalt plant operator.

lacquer maker
varnish maker
concrete products machine operator
rubber products machine operator
bleacher operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of asphalt plant operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of asphalt plant operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

automated assembly line operator
industrial robot controller
pulp control operator
crane crew supervisor
bridge construction supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of asphalt plant operator.

• Types of asphalt coverings: Different types of asphalt covering, based on their bitumen content and composition. The strengths, weaknesses, and price points of each type. Special properties such as porosity, resistance to skidding and noise characteristics.
• Composite materials: The properties of different materials developed in a laboratory, their usage per type of products, and how to create them.
• Asphalt mixes: The properties, advantages and disadvantages of asphalt mixes such as Marshall and Superpave mixes and the way they are best applied.

These skills are necessary for the role of asphalt plant operator.

• Feed raw material into plant machinery: Insert raw materials, chemicals and processing agents into plant machinery.
• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Prepare raw materials: Prepare and measure the basic materials that are needed to produce goods and finished products.
• Weigh materials: Weigh materials and products, record weight and other relevant data on tags or labels.
• Operate raw mineral separation equipment: Operate a variety of machinery used to separate raw mineral for further processing based on size of particles or chemical composition. Work with screens, flotation cells, spirals, jigs, drums and cyclones.
• Segregate raw materials: Segregate into batches the raw materials to be further processed.
• Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
• Supply machine: Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
• Tend asphalt mixing machine: Tend the machines which mix asphalt solution feeding it with the already processed minerals, bitumen and additives according to the formula.
• Set up the controller of a machine: Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
• Operate raw mineral size reduction equipment: Operate equipment used to reduce the size of raw minerals to prepare it for further processing. Work with gyrotary and jaw crushers, and roll, ball and autogenous mills.
• Control temperature: Measure and adjust temperature of a given space or object.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of asphalt plant operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Material mechanics: The behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.
• Excavation techniques: The methods to remove rock and soil, used in an excavation site and the associated risks.
• Construction industry: The products, brands and suppliers active in the construction field.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of asphalt plant operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Tend packaging machines: Tend packaging machines such as filling, labelling, and sealing machines. Stock and sort products to be processed according to specifications. Replenish packaging supplies as required, such as boxes, cartons, wrapping paper, plastic sheet, glue, ink, or labels.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Load bulk trucks: Conduct activities associated with determining the itineraries and loading of bulk trucks.
• Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
• Manage delivery of raw materials: Receive raw materials from the suppliers. Check their quality and accuracy and move them into the warehouse. Make sure that raw materials are adequately stored until they are required by the production department.
• Perform product testing: Test processed workpieces or products for basic faults.
• Stack packaged items: Stack packaged items for transportation or storage. Anticipate the need for and utilise additional protective materials in stacking the products.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Operate heat treatment furnace: Operate or tend furnaces such as gas, oil, electric to heat treat castings in order to reach the correct mechanical properties. Adjust furnace controls to heat parts the prescribed time to the right temperature.
• Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
• Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
• Check mixer capability: Check the water-cement ratios and their conformance to the mixer capabilities.
• Perform machine maintenance: Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.
• Clean equipment: Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Drive mobile heavy construction equipment: Drive movable heavy equipment used in construction. Load the equipment onto low loaders, or unload it. Judiciously drive equipment on public roads when required.
• Write batch record documentation: Write reports on the manufactured batches history taking into account the raw data, tests performed and compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of each batch of product.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Operate concrete mixer truck: Work with concrete mixer trucks. Drive the truck and operate controls. Keep track of time. Take the necessary steps to evacuate the concrete upon arrival at the site, either alone using a full range chute, or with help when using a rear chute.

8114 – Cement, stone and other mineral products machine operators

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References

1. ESCO
2. Asphalt Plant Operator Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – ClimbtheLadder
3. Featured image: By Tarmac’s asphalt plant at Hayes by Richard Law, CC BY-SA 2.0