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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Occupation Detailed Description

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

The main tasks and work activities of Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders are to collect samples of materials or products for testing, calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production, place materials into molds, record operational or production data. In general, for the Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders, operation Monitoring, operation and Control, monitoring, quality Control Analysis and other 6 skills are required.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders jobs. 64.14% of Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and .
Less than a High School Diploma
35.86%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
64.14%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

  • 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.
  • Observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur.
  • Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.
  • Kindle fires, and shovel fuel and other materials into furnaces or onto conveyors by hand, with hoists, or by directing crane operators.
  • 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.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationEstimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
  • Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
  • Place materials into molds.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
  • Adjust flow of electricity to tools or production equipment.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
  • Inspect production equipment.
  • Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
  • Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
  • Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
  • Skim impurities from molten metal.
  • Load materials into production equipment.
  • Signal others to coordinate work activities.
  • Ignite fuel to activate heating equipment.
  • Direct operational or production activities.
  • Clean materials to prepare them for production.
  • Clean production equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Rate ControlThe ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Depth PerceptionThe ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Pressure indicatorse.g. Air gauges
  • Furnacese.g. Anneal furnaces
  • Furnacese.g. Argon purging systems
  • Furnacese.g. Basic oxygen furnaces
  • Furnacese.g. Blast furnaces
  • Furnacese.g. Channel induction furnaces
  • Gogglese.g. Chemical protection goggles
  • Closed circuit television CCTV systeme.g. Closed circuit television monitors
  • Furnacese.g. Coal furnaces
  • Control unite.g. Control computers
  • Belt conveyorse.g. Conveyor belt systems
  • Furnacese.g. Coreless induction furnaces
  • Ammeterse.g. Digital ammeters
  • Surface thermometerse.g. Digital thermometers
  • Voltage or current meterse.g. Digital voltmeters
  • Wattmeterse.g. Digital wattmeters
  • Core drying ovense.g. Drying systems
  • Electric furnacee.g. Electric arc furnaces
  • Furnacese.g. Electric induction furnaces
  • Evaporative coolerse.g. Evaporative cooling systems
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.