Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

• Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
• Drain, transfer, or remove molten metal from furnaces, and place it into molds, using hoists, pumps, or ladles.
• Record production data, and maintain production logs.
• Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.
• Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
• Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
• Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
• Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
• Kindle fires, and shovel fuel and other materials into furnaces or onto conveyors by hand, with hoists, or by directing crane operators.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

• Observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur.
• Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.
• Sprinkle chemicals over molten metal to bring impurities to the surface.
• Direct work crews in the cleaning and repair of furnace walls and flooring.
• Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
• Scrape accumulations of metal oxides from floors, molds, and crucibles, and sift and store them for reclamation.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)