Pulp technician

Pulp technicians perform technical tasks in the production of pulp. They work in pulp production teams where they maintain machines, resolve technical malfunctions and ensure the production process runs according to specifications.

The following job titles also refer to pulp technician:

pulp and paper technologist
pulp production engineer
pulp and paper production specialist
pulp production specialist
pulp production technologist
pulp and paper technician
pulp production technician

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a pulp technician.

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.

Pulp technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to pulp technician.

nailing machine operator
paper machine operator
paper pulp moulding operator
bleacher operator
laminating machine operator

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

pulp control operator
automated assembly line operator
machine operator supervisor
paper mill supervisor
industrial robot controller

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of pulp technician.

• Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
• Technical terminology: Type of language used in a certain context, containing terms that have a meaning specific to a particular group or activity, such as in industry, medicine, or law.
• Types of pulp: Kinds of pulp are distinguished based on their fibre type and the specific chemical processes through which they were created.

These skills are necessary for the role of pulp technician.

• Test paper production samples: Acquire test samples at various stages of the paper deinking and paper recycling process. Process the samples, e.g. by adding a measured amount of dye solution, and test them to determine values such as the pH level, the tear resistance or the degree of disintegration.
• Monitor gauge: Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• 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.
• Write technical reports: Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• 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.
• Schedule regular machine maintenance: Schedule and perform regular maintenance, cleaning, and repairs of all equipment. Order necessary machine parts and upgrade equipment when necessary to ensure optimal performance.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
• Inspect machinery: Check machine equipment for proper performance and detect faults and malfunctions. Diagnose malfunctions using testing equipment to determine the required repair.
• Check material resources: Verify that all requested resources are delivered and in good working order. Notify the appropriate person or people of any problems related to technical and material resources.
• 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.

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

• Paper production processes: The different steps in the manufacturing of paper and paperboard products, such as pulp production, bleaching, and pressing.
• Types of paper: The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Types of wood: Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood.

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

• Grade pulp: Oversee pulp quality based on their pulping process, raw materials, yield, fibre length and other categories such as dirt, moisture content, porosity, density, and brightness.
• 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.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
• Monitor pulp quality: Avoid lesser quality and lower grades of recycled paper and pulp by keeping an eye open for stickies, plastics, colour, unbleached fibres, brightness, and dirt.
• Revise quality control systems documentation: Revise quality control documents. Read through the documents, editing them, and revise items in the documentation like the numbering scheme, process to create new documents, revision and follow up process, closure of non-conformities, methods for tracking documents, etc.
• 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.
• Prepare production reports: Prepare a comprehensive and unbiased report on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
• Coordinate shipments of recycling materials: Coordinate and oversee shipments of recycling materials. Communicate with processing companies and shipping brokers.
• 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.
• Conduct performance tests: Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.

8171 – Pulp and papermaking plant operators

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References

1. Pulp technician – ESCO