Metal-Refining Furnace Operator / Tender

Operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Arc and Argon Oxygen Decarburization Melter (ARC and AOD Melter); Automatic Furnace Operator; Central Melt Specialist; Control Room Operator; Electric Melt Operator; Furnace Operator; Melt Room Operator; Melter; Vacuum Melter; Vessel Operator

Tasks

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

Knowledge

• Production and Processing
• Mechanical
• Administration and Management
• Public Safety and Security
• Education and Training

Skills

• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Control Precision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Manual Dexterity
• Near Vision
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Reaction Time
• Selective Attention
• Information Ordering
• Multilimb Coordination
• Deductive Reasoning
• Perceptual Speed
• Rate Control
• Static Strength
• Extent Flexibility
• Depth Perception
• Hearing Sensitivity
• Oral Expression
• Inductive Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure
• Finger Dexterity
• Response Orientation
• Trunk Strength
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Glare Sensitivity
• Auditory Attention