Key Purpose Statement

The primary role of the Utility Artisan is operating the Utility area according to work instructions, monitoring utility equipment condition / performance and carrying out routine maintenance. When required, the Utility Artisan will repair or refurbish equipment. The utility artisan also has a primary focus on the asset care activities of the team.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Operating and Process Control

• Operating boiler and steam system in the plant area according to the work instructions and adhering to usage standards.
• Carrying out required quality checks as described in the quality control and analyses work practice.
• Recording energy waste on the appropriate documentation or information systems, and reviewing waste trends to identify problems or opportunities timeously.
• Constantly reviewing process performance of boiler system against target, and completing all short interval control documentation.
• Responding rapidly to problems that result in stoppages. Appropriate problem solving approaches, as detailed in the problem solving work practice must be followed.
• Performing housekeeping tasks, applying 4s principles and following safe work practices. Unsafe work practices must be identified and corrected.
• Assisting fellow team members in the execution of their tasks.

Maintenance of the boiler and steam system

• Ensure optimal and continuous operation of boiler systems by performing routine inspections, adjustments and maintenance as per OEM.
• Maintain systems by scheduling time based overhauls and inspections to keep all components performing optimally and safe.
• Monitoring boiler safety requirements and regulations, identifying potential issues and taking appropriate steps to suspend operations until the risks are attended to.
• Perform necessary repairs and replacements, obtain replacement parts or upgrade components as needed while staying within the budget
• Maintain GMP and supervise any work done on the boiler system and boiler room.
• Create and enter properly documented records of inspections, maintenance routines and repairs.
• Participate and remain active in all structured/shift-based meetings.

Safety & Environmental monitoring

• Complete the scheduled boiler inspection or testing according to statuary requirements
• Review alarm conditions identified during daily inspections and execute corrective actions.
• Identify potential hazardous practises and conditions and initiate appropriate actions to prevent accidents.
• Direct outsourced technical support on safety standards and ensure adherence to safe work practises.
• Monitor and review unsafe actions of operators and do appropriate coaching to correct behaviour.

Communication

• Actively participating in shift meetings, asking questions to test understanding and contributing suggestions.
• Making use of the gap list to record issues, problems and improvement opportunities.
• Fully understanding the team goals and participating in team goal review sessions. Where FFA’s (Formal Failure Analysis) have been initiated, the utility artisan may be asked to participate.
• Making use of relevant communication media (e.g. shift logbook) to stay informed and inform others of issues.
• Support training and coaching needs of Utility Operators

Problem solving

• When problems occur, applying the appropriate techniques (e.g. 5Y, quick fix routines etc.) to identify and correct the problem.
• Where the utility artisan is unable to resolve the problem, involve fellow team members or escalate to the team leader if necessary.
• Where problems have been resolved, verify that the problems have been eliminated.

Continuous Improvement

• Using run / control charts and trend analysis, to identify sources of waste and variation in the process.
• Using short stop analysis, Pareto charts and other tools seek to identify opportunities to simplify activities.
• Where improvement opportunities have been identified, these must be recorded on the team gap list. The process artisan should involve other team members in evaluating opportunities and call in specialist resources to assist if required.

Skills, Experience & Education

Experience

• 5 years as an Engineering Technician
• 3 years in a utility environment with exposure to boiler and steam systems

Education

• Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Certificate in Boiler Operations and Maintenance

• Operating boiler and steam system in the plant area according to the work instructions and adhering to usage standards.
• Carrying out required quality checks as described in the quality control and analyses work practice.
• Recording energy waste on the appropriate documentation or information systems, and reviewing waste trends to identify problems or opportunities timeously.
• Constantly reviewing process performance of boiler system against target, and completing all short interval control documentation.
• Responding rapidly to problems that result in stoppages. Appropriate problem solving approaches, as detailed in the problem solving work practice must be followed.
• Performing housekeeping tasks, applying 4s principles and following safe work practices. Unsafe work practices must be identified and corrected.
• Assisting fellow team members in the execution of their tasks.
• Ensure optimal and continuous operation of boiler systems by performing routine inspections, adjustments and maintenance as per OEM.
• Maintain systems by scheduling time based overhauls and inspections to keep all components performing optimally and safe.
• Monitoring boiler safety requirements and regulations, identifying potential issues and taking appropriate steps to suspend operations until the risks are attended to.
• Perform necessary repairs and replacements, obtain replacement parts or upgrade components as needed while staying within the budget
• Maintain GMP and supervise any work done on the boiler system and boiler room.
• Create and enter properly documented records of inspections, maintenance routines and repairs.
• Participate and remain active in all structured/shift-based meetings.
• Complete the scheduled boiler inspection or testing according to statuary requirements
• Review alarm conditions identified during daily inspections and execute corrective actions.
• Identify potential hazardous practises and conditions and initiate appropriate actions to prevent accidents.
• Direct outsourced technical support on safety standards and ensure adherence to safe work practises.
• Monitor and review unsafe actions of operators and do appropriate coaching to correct behaviour.
• Actively participating in shift meetings, asking questions to test understanding and contributing suggestions.
• Making use of the gap list to record issues, problems and improvement opportunities.
• Fully understanding the team goals and participating in team goal review sessions. Where FFA’s (Formal Failure Analysis) have been initiated, the utility artisan may be asked to participate.
• Making use of relevant communication media (e.g. shift logbook) to stay informed and inform others of issues.
• Support training and coaching needs of Utility Operators
• When problems occur, applying the appropriate techniques (e.g. 5Y, quick fix routines etc.) to identify and correct the problem.
• Where the utility artisan is unable to resolve the problem, involve fellow team members or escalate to the team leader if necessary.
• Where problems have been resolved, verify that the problems have been eliminated.
• Using run / control charts and trend analysis, to identify sources of waste and variation in the process.
• Using short stop analysis, Pareto charts and other tools seek to identify opportunities to simplify activities.
• Where improvement opportunities have been identified, these must be recorded on the team gap list. The process artisan should involve other team members in evaluating opportunities and call in specialist resources to assist if required.

• Boiler and steam systems operation and maintenance
• Quality control and analysis
• Energy waste monitoring and analysis
• Process performance monitoring
• Problem-solving (e.g., 5Y, quick fix routines)
• Housekeeping and 4S principles
• Safe work practices
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Communication (verbal and written)
• Understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
• Safety and environmental monitoring
• Trend analysis and continuous improvement tools

• Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Certificate in Boiler Operations and Maintenance