Stationary plant and machine operators operate and monitor industrial plant and machinery and equipment that are stationary, or for which mobility is not an integral part of operation. Competent performance in most occupations in this sub-major group requires skills at the second ISCO skill level.

The work mainly calls for experience with and an understanding of the industrial plant, machinery or equipment being operated and monitored. Ability to cope with machine-paced operations and to adapt to innovations in machinery and equipment is often required.
Tasks performed by workers in this sub-major group usually include: setting up, operating and monitoring a variety of stationary plant and machinery; detecting malfunctions and taking corrective action; examining outputs for defects and conformity to specifications and adjusting machine settings accordingly; performing maintenance, repairs and cleaning; recording data and maintaining production records. Supervision of other workers may be included.