Role design and job descriptions for Mineral processing companies: writing the circuit as jobs people can follow
A processing plant is a chain of sections, and each operator is a link. Job descriptions that say what to watch, adjust and report in each section make replacement and cover far easier.
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Share your requirementsWhy role design and job descriptions matters in mineral processing companies
In many processing plants the job of a mill operator is whatever the last operator did. The description on file, if any, was written for a recruitment advertisement and says only that he should be experienced. New joiners learn from the person beside them, so habits, both good and bad, pass on unchanged. When a person leaves, the plant relearns what he knew.
A useful description is written by section. It lists the readings to watch, the adjustments allowed, the faults to report and to whom, and the boundaries between control room, floor and lab. It is checked with the people doing the job and revised when equipment or ore changes.
How to set it up
1. List the sections and their handovers
Draw the flow from receipt of ore to despatch, naming the boundary where one team passes material to another.
2. Sit with each role for a shift
Watch what the operator actually does, including the checks he makes without thinking. Note them in his words.
3. Write the description in plain words
Readings to watch, adjustments allowed, faults to report, who to call, and what he must not touch without a fitter or in-charge.
4. Check it with two operators
Ask a second person in the same role whether it matches the work. Fix gaps. The role design and job descriptions page explains how we would help.
5. Review when something changes
New equipment, a change in ore or a new product means a quick review of the affected descriptions, with a date on each.
Check these first
Before changing anything, find out what is true today. These take an afternoon and use your own records.
- Ask a new operator whether he has a written description and whether it matches his work.
- Compare the descriptions of two shifts for the same section and note differences.
- Check that boundaries between the lab, control room and floor are clear.
- Look at the last equipment change and see whether descriptions were updated.
GullyHR can do this with you. Read how we approach role design and job descriptions in general, or share your requirements and we will tell you where to start.
Questions owners ask
Detailed enough that a trained replacement could follow it, but short enough to be read. One or two pages per role, with a clear list of readings, adjustments and reports, usually works.
The shift in-charge with the operators, supported by a process engineer. HR can help with format and review. People accept descriptions they helped to write.
Not if they state a core and allow cover tasks. Write what the role must do, then list what the person can be asked to do when someone is away.