Hi I have been reading online about the work some of the NO's typically do and the following is from OPG's website:
"A significant portion of a NO’s duties involve performing rounds of their designated area within the plant to check the status of equipment and systems (e.g., pumps, fans, motors, gauges). This type of task requires NOs to detect and assess problems, and provide detailed information to assist Maintenance in repairing equipment (e.g., monitor system pressure, temperatures, water levels, check for leaks and check for the integrity of the equipment)"
I wanted to ask, out of curiosity, what tools and equipment do NO's typically use to "detect and assess" problems...
I'm not an operator but I've picked up a few bits of knowledge that may or may not be helpful to your questions.
The first part of your training will consist of learning the various systems around the plant and what they do individually and how they fit into the overall operation of the plant. Some portions of this will come easier, some may be more difficult, but the first step in learning to "detect and assess" whether a problem exists or not is to know what proper operation "feels like". Depending on the system this may be determined by looking at a gauge of some sort installed in said system.
After awhile it will most likely be done with
Eyes, ears and nose.
as you learn and are more used to your systems and what they are supposed to look, sound, and yes even smell like. You might notice an oil spot where there wasn't one the last time you made rounds. You might see something missing, broken, or that just doesn't look right on your rounds. You will in all likelihood notice a smell that wasn't present the last time you were in an area that alerts you to a change. Your senses are an invaluable tool, coupled with the knowledge that you gain through training and experience. Your ears can be the most valuable tool used on the job. Listening to the experience that the "seasoned" (sounds a little better than old) operators share with you can be the thing that kicks you up a notch as an operator.
Don't stress too much on the minutia of it all ahead of time. A good day is when you make your rounds, reposition equipment as needed and it seems like a fairly boring day. A great day, for your mind at least, is when you come across something that through your experience you are able to understand and if needed to solve with some analytical thinking.
A friend likes to use the phrase "I don't need to know how the clock works, I just wanted to know what time it is." Don't worry about how the clock works yet. You'll be trained to know that and be able to report what time it is based on that training.
