Profession asphalt laboratory technician

Asphalt laboratory technicians perform asphalt and related raw materials inspections and laboratory testing, ensuring a high quality of the products. They also participate in coming up with resolutions to technical issues on construction sites.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Asphalt mixes

  The properties, advantages and disadvantages of asphalt mixes such as Marshall and Superpave mixes and the way they are best applied.

Skills

• Test concrete

  Test concrete hardness so that it is according to specifications and ready to be removed from moulds.

• Supervise laboratory operations

  Supervise the staff working in a laboratory, as well as oversee that equipment is functional and maintained, and procedures occur in compliance with regulations and legislation.

• Run laboratory simulations

  Run simulations on prototypes, systems or newly developed chemical products using laboratory equipment.

• Write inspection reports

  Write the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection's processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.

• Use safety equipment in construction

  Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.

• Inspect construction supplies

  Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.

• Supervise site maintenance

  Supervise the clean-up and maintenance of a specific site in order to ensure it is fit for purpose.

• Apply safety procedures in laboratory

  Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.

• Check quality of raw materials

  Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.

• Inspect asphalt

  Inspect the placement of asphalt concrete ensuring that the specifications are met and no flows are present.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB