Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

What Does a Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Do?

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.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
• 2Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
• 3Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
• 4Record production data, and maintain production logs.
• 5Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
• 6Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.
• 7Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
• 8Drain, transfer, or remove molten metal from furnaces, and place it into molds, using hoists, pumps, or ladles.

Required Skills

• Monitoring
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Process control software
• Process safety management software
• Production tracking system software

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders Salary