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Industrial Instrument Mechanics

NOC 2243

Introduction

Industrial instrument mechanics repair, maintain, calibrate, adjust and install industrial measuring and controlling instrumentation.

Note: Each Essential Skills task is followed by a number in brackets, e.g. (2), which is the estimated complexity level for that task. Tasks are assigned levels, ranging from Level 1 (basic task) to Levels 4 or 5 (advanced task), and are listed in increasing order of complexity. The complexity levels may vary based on the requirements of the workplace.

Reading

Read reminders and short notes from co‑workers, e.g. read notes from co‑workers to learn about equipment faults. (1)
Read short instructions written on signs, labels and packaging, e.g. read instructions on signs and electrical panel labels to learn how to avoid shock hazards. (1)
Read short text entries on a variety of forms, e.g. read comments on work orders and job hazard assessment forms. (1)
Read memos, e.g. read memos from supervisors to learn about changes to operating procedures and the status of projects. (2)
Read notices and bulletins, e.g. read notices from manufacturers to learn about equipment malfunctions. (2)
Read reports, e.g. read quality and incident reports to learn about equipment faults and required repairs. (3)
Read trade magazine and website articles to learn about new products and stay informed about industry practices. (3)
Read safety‑related information, e.g. read workplace safety guidelines to learn the hazards of products, such as hydrogen sulphide and caustic sodas. (3)
Read a variety of manuals and guides e.g. read procedure manuals and guides to learn how to install software programs, setup machinery and troubleshoot equipment faults. (3)

Document Use

Identify symbols on labels, material packaging, technical drawings and equipment screens, e.g. scan Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) symbols on product packaging to learn about the hazardous properties of chemicals. (1)
Locate data, such as energy readings, speeds, pressures, settings and error codes on gauges and digital displays. (1)
Locate data, such as parts numbers in simple lists and tables. (1)
Complete a variety of forms, e.g. complete work orders and equipment inspection forms by checking boxes and entering data, such as dates, times, part numbers, codes and quantities. (2)
Study graphs and charts generated by computerized equipment. e.g. study circle charts to determine turbine speeds, turbine inlet temperatures, core temperatures and exit temperatures over set periods of time. (3)
Locate data, such as specifications, classifications, material coefficients, quantities, identification numbers and costs, in complex tables. (3)
Study complex technical drawings, e.g. scan schematic, assembly and exploded view diagrams of complex equipment components to plan installations and troubleshoot faults. (4)

Writing

Write reminders and brief notes to co‑workers, e.g. write brief notes to inform supervisors about the status of repair projects. (1)
Write text entries in forms and log books, e.g. write short comments on work orders to describe completed work and inspection findings. (1)
May write short email messages, e.g. write email messages to request information from suppliers. (2)
May write short reports, e.g. write short reports to describe the outcomes of tailboard meetings (safety‑related job briefings) and events leading up to workplace accidents. (2)
May write procedures, e.g. write procedures to inform machine operators how to control and operate equipment and troubleshoot faults. (3)
May write longer reports to outline the findings of investigations to determine the causes of major equipment faults. (3)

Numeracy

Take measurements and readings using basic measuring tools, e.g. measure the lengths of tubing using tape measures. (1)
Compare data, such as frequencies, speeds, electrical energies, temperatures and transfer rates, to normal ranges and specifications. (1)
May manage small inventories of parts, materials and supplies, e.g. calculate quantities of parts, materials and supplies to replace those that have been used. (2)
Schedule repair and maintenance tasks to efficiently use time and meet deadlines, e.g. schedule system upgrades and maintenance activities to coincide with annual plant shutdowns. (2)
Calculate material requirements, e.g. calculate the materials, such as cabling, needed to install new equipment components. (2)
Calculate summary measures, e.g. calculate the average lengths of time needed to process raw materials. (2)
Estimate the time required to complete equipment maintenance and repairs. They consider the requirements of the tasks, the availability of parts and the times previously taken to complete similar tasks. (2)
Estimate percentages of wear and useful life remaining for parts, such as pneumatic pumps. They consider the extent of wear and the parts’ operational lives. (2)
Calculate component values and specifications, e.g. use formulae to calculate resistances, airflows and eccentricities. (3)
Evaluate sets of data collected from tests and simulations to troubleshoot faults and assess equipment performance and the progression of wear. (3)

Oral Communication

Speak to suppliers to learn about products, prices and delivery schedules. (1)
Exchange information with co‑workers, e.g. speak with welders, machinists, electricians, mechanics and suppliers to discuss problems and assess solutions. (2)
Talk to operators about equipment and machinery breakdowns, e.g. speak with operators to determine the probable causes of equipment faults. (2)
Participate in group discussions, e.g. participate in tailboard meetings to discuss safe work practices and the outcomes of job hazard assessments. (2)
Exchange technical repair and troubleshooting information, e.g. discuss unusual electronic control module faults with co‑workers and help desk technicians. (3)
May discuss systems designs with supervisors and engineers, e.g. discuss with engineers the optimal locations of system components, such as transmitters. (3)
May make formal presentations to co‑workers to explain quality monitoring and new equipment functions. (3)

Thinking

Decide the order of tasks and their priorities, e.g. decide the order in which to perform equipment inspections. (1)
Judge the accuracy of readings taken using equipment, such as multimeters. They compare readings to other indicators of equipment performance, such as vibrations and noises. (1)
Encounter malfunctions in equipment. They inform co‑workers of the malfunctions and use established troubleshooting sequences to isolate the faults. They repair the faults themselves or enlist the help of manufacturers’ technicians and tradespeople, such as industrial electricians. (2)
Experience delays due to shortages of parts and supplies. They inform co‑workers of the delays, order the supplies and perform other work until the needed parts, materials and supplies arrive. (2)
Decide that pieces of equipment should be repaired rather than replaced. They consider capital, material and labour costs. (2)
Judge the condition of equipment by considering readings and the results of physical inspections. (2)
Learn about job hazards by inspecting job sites, reading hazard assessments, participating in safety briefings and speaking with co‑workers. (2)
Learn about the progress being made on repairs by reading email messages, log book entries and equipment lockout forms and by talking to co‑workers and equipment repairers. (2)
Locate project specifications from drawings, work orders and specification sheets and by speaking with engineers and supervisors. (2)
Are unable to repair equipment because specifications and instructions are unavailable. They consult manufacturers, co‑workers, suppliers and colleagues for advice and research websites to locate useable information. (3)
Decide to shut down machines because of pending malfunctions. They consider the costs associated with the unexpected shutdowns and the risks if the equipment is not serviced. (3)
Decide how to deal with emergencies, e.g. how to contend with serious equipment malfunctions that have the potential to injure workers and cause significant amounts of property and environmental damage. (3)
Evaluate the severity of equipment faults. They consider criteria, such as readings, specifications and the risks to safety, property and the environment. (3)
Assess the quality and neatness of installations. They review test results, check the equipment for proper labeling and confirm that cables are properly anchored and connections are tight. They compare completed installations to drawings and other project documents to ensure equipment has been installed as planned. (3)
Plan their maintenance schedules six to eight months in advance. They plan the need for new pieces of machinery, where they will be placed and what tradespeople will be needed to complete the installations. They co‑ordinate their activities with electricians and other trades, such as pipefitters, as needed. For some industrial instrument mechanics, planning follows five‑year plans that involve stripping turbines piece by piece, with the industrial instrument mechanic being responsible for the instruments in the turbine (e.g. vibration detectors, eccentricity, thrust, case expansion detectors, etc.). Other types of planning may be short range, reacting to immediate problems instantly. Monthly planning is required for ordering parts and supplies. (3)
Find information about unusual equipment faults. They talk to co‑workers, such as machine operators, and conduct diagnostic tests to gather data. They collect additional data by taking measurements, running tests and trials and reviewing information generated by diagnostic equipment. (3)

Digital Technology

May use personal digital assistant (PDA) devices to complete numeracy‑related tasks, such as calculating material requirements. (1)
Use hand held electronic devices, such as oscilloscopes, to access operational data, such as electrical readings. (1)
May use hand‑held communicators to read pressures, flows and instrumentation setups and to calibrate transmitters and valve positioners. (1)
May use word processing software to prepare reports. (2)
May use spreadsheet software to tally costs for job estimates and invoices. (2)
May use communication software to exchange email with customers, suppliers and help desk technicians. (2)
Use databases to enter repair information and retrieve equipment maintenance histories. (2)
May use databases to retrieve and print scale and assembly diagrams. (2)
May use databases to acquire information about distributed control systems (DCSs) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) inputs, such as ranges, locations and alarm conditions. (2)
Use the Internet to access training courses and seminars offered by training institutions, unions, suppliers and employers. (2)
Use Internet browsers and search engines to access technical service bulletins, electrical codes, specifications and troubleshooting guides. (2)
May use the Internet to access blogs and web forums where they seek and offer advice about the repair of electronic equipment. (2)
Use hand‑held configurators to assist in the configuration of system components. (2)
Search through Internet websites and navigate several menus to locate technical data, such as pin assignments on integrated circuit chips. (3)
May use project management software for complex systems installations to schedule lead times and the completion of project milestones. (3)
May install and service human–machine interfaces to permit interactions between human beings and computerized systems. (4)
May install and service supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to monitor and control industrial, infrastructure and facility‑based processes. (4)
May install and service distributed control system (DCS) software to control system parameters, such as speeds, outputs, pressures and temperatures. (4)
May install and service programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to control the speeds and outputs of machinery. (4)

Additional Information

Other Essential Skills:

Working with Others

Industrial instrument mechanics often work independently. They may spend as much as 50 percent of their time in control and relay rooms, liaising with operators as needed to ensure instrumentation is properly maintained and emergencies are handled. Since they may need to give urgent instructions to 30 or 35 different operators, they need to know what approaches are most likely to work with each of them. They may need partners to carry out some functions, such as testing transmitters or boilers or installing control valves. They sometimes work in crews; for instance, teams of three or four workers may be needed to run new wires in plants. Industrial instrument mechanics perform as team members and sometimes as team leaders on project teams.

Continuous Learning

Industrial instrument mechanics learn through courses, such as the Industrial Safety Course, which covers subjects, such as how to use Air‑Pak and supplied breathing. They take courses in confined space entry and in computer applications relating to process control. They take Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training. They also attend technical courses offered by suppliers’ representatives. These courses cover the use of new equipment, such as transmitter controls, process control equipment and analyzers. They may attend team leadership/communication seminars offered to workers in operations, maintenance and management. In addition, they learn through reading technical magazines.

Impact of Digital Technology

All essential skills are affected by the introduction of technology in the workplace. Industrial instrument mechanics’ ability to adapt to new technologies is strongly related to their skill levels across the essential skills, including reading, writing, thinking and communication skills. Technologies are transforming the ways in which workers obtain, process and communicate information, and the types of skills needed to perform in their jobs. Industrial instrument mechanics require advanced digital skills to install, program and service human–machine interfaces, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed control systems (DCS) and programmable logic controllers. They also must be able to operate computerized tools and equipment, such as oscilloscopes, to perform their duties. Their requirements for digital skills will increase as electronic technologies continue to advance.

Technology in the workplace further affects the complexity of tasks related to the essential skills required for this occupation. For example, the sophisticated electronic control systems used in industrial equipment has increased the complexity of wiring schematics and other diagrams. In addition, workers need the skills to use, install and troubleshoot increasingly complex software applications (e.g. distributed control system software). On the other hand, electronic databases and keyword search functions make it easier to find information (e.g. specifications and repair parts), while software and hardware developers continue to improve ease of use for workers through touch‑screen technology, built‑in self‑help tutorials and user‑friendly software applications. Workers can also complete documents, such as work orders, more quickly and accurately using specialized software applications that input data automatically.