In facilities that operate around the clock, an engineer usually works one of three daily 8-hour shifts on a rotating basis. Weekend and holiday work often is required. Engine rooms, power plants, and boiler rooms usually are clean and well lighted. Even under the most favorable conditions, however, some stationary engineers are exposed to high temperatures, dust, dirt, and high noise levels from the equipment. General maintenance duties may also require contact with oil, grease, or smoke.
Workers spend much of their time on their feet.
They may also have to crawl inside boilers and work in crouching or kneeling positions to inspect, clean, or repair equipment. Stationary engineers work around potentially hazardous machinery such as boilers and electrical equipment. They must follow procedures to guard against burns, electric shock, and exposure to hazardous materials such as asbestos or certain chemicals. Top Stationary engineers held about 31,000 jobs in 1998. They worked in a variety of places, including factories, hospitals, hotels, office and apartment buildings, schools, and shopping malls.