What Do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators 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. They also regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.

Other 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.
• Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
• 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.

We asked Metal-Refining Furnace Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Metal-Refining Furnace Operators inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear. They record production data, and maintain production logs.

A typical day for a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender will also include:

• Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
• Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
• Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
• Sprinkle chemicals over molten metal to bring impurities to the surface.
• Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.

We asked some Metal-Refining Furnace Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Metal-Refining Furnace Operators also scrape accumulations of metal oxides from floors, molds, and crucibles, and sift and store them for reclamation. They may also direct work crews in the cleaning and repair of furnace walls and flooring.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Metal-Refining Furnace Operators Observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur. They might also Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.

In addition, they Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Sprinkle chemicals over molten metal to bring impurities to the surface.

To some Metal-Refining Furnace Operators, it is also their responsibility to Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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