Boiler House Operator

Dreaming big is in our DNA. It’s who we are as a company. It’s our culture. It’s our heritage. And more than ever, it’s our future. A future where we’re always looking forward. Always serving up new ways to meet life’s moments. A future where we keep dreaming bigger. We look for people with passion, talent, and curiosity, and provide them with the teammates, resources and opportunities to unleash their full potential. The power we create together – when we combine your strengths with ours – is unstoppable. Are you ready to join a team that dreams as big as you do?

The Key Purpose of this role:

The Boiler Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of coal, oil, or gas‑fired package boilers used for industrial steam generation. The role includes daily operations, maintenance checks, water quality control, and compliance with South Africa’s Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHS Act) and Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER).

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

Boiler Operation & Monitoring:

• Operate, monitor, and control package or water‑tube boilers, ensuring optimum steam pressure, temperature, and combustion parameters.

• Conduct pre‑start‑up checks, boiler light‑ups, normal shutdowns, and emergency shutdowns.

• Perform continuous monitoring of steam systems, burners, stokers, fans, feedwater systems, and combustion air equipment.

Inspection, Logging & Recordkeeping:

• Complete daily, weekly, and monthly inspection logs, capturing pressures, temperatures, fuel consumption, water levels, and chemical readings.

• Report faults, assist in troubleshooting, and support maintenance teams with mechanical or control system repairs.

Water Treatment & Boiler Chemistry:

• Conduct boiler water tests (e.g., TDS, pH, phosphate) and coordinate corrective chemical dosing.

• Manage blowdowns and ensure optimal condensate recovery.

Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure 100% compliance with:

• OHS Act 85 of 1993 and its regulations

• Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER 2004) which incorporate SANS standards for boilers and pressure vessels [gov.za]

• Department of Labour (DoL) boiler operation requirements and statutory inspections.

Support and prepare for:

• Annual boiler inspections

• 3‑year statutory inspections by an Approved Inspection Authority (AIA) as required under PER.

Communication and Coordination:

• Liaise with Maintenance, Utilities, Production, and external inspectors on operational and compliance matters.

Key Attributes and Competencies:

• Ability to safely operate and troubleshoot boilers, read gauges, interpret graphs, and complete logs.

• Knowledge of water treatment and combustion efficiency principles.

• Ability to work shifts, extended hours, and meet the physical demands of boiler operation.

• Medically fit to perform boiler operations (physical, heat exposure, manual tasks).

Legal & Safety Requirements

Must comply with:

• OHS Act and General Machinery Regulations

• Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER) incorporating SANS 10227 technical competence evaluation standards for pressure equipment

• Understanding of statutory inspections (annual & 3‑year) and ability to support AIA inspectors.

• Must follow recognized training practices, such as boiler operator training by EWSETA‑accredited institutions.

Minimum Requirements:

Educational Requirements

• Grade 12 (Matric) – essential.

• Advantageous: Technical subjects (Maths, Science) or N2 Engineering Studies (Mechanical/Electrical fundamentals).

Certifications

• A Certified Boiler Operator Certificate from an accredited provider.

• Competency aligned with the Certificate of Competency Regulations under the OHS Act for mechanical/electrical competency, demonstrating knowledge of boiler design, operation, and safety.

Experience

• 2–5 years’ operating industrial boilers; experience with John Thompson fire‑tube or water‑tube boilers is highly advantageous. Should have spent time managing the boiler operation on own.

• Practical understanding of workshop/mechanical environments

Additional Information:

• Band: XI

SAB/ABInBev is an equal opportunity employer, and all appointments will be made in line with SAB/ABInBev employment equity plan and talent requirements. The advert has minimum requirements listed. Management reserves the right to use additional/ relevant information as criteria for short-listing.