skillfactor-pipeline/skills/heat-treatment-furnace-operator/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — heat treatment furnace operator

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 51-4051.00 (Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders).

Task statements

• [Core] Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
• [Core] Drain, transfer, or remove molten metal from furnaces, and place it into molds, using hoists, pumps, or ladles.
• [Core] Record production data, and maintain production logs.
• [Core] Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.
• [Core] Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
• [Core] Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
• [Core] Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
• [Core] Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
• [Core] Kindle fires, and shovel fuel and other materials into furnaces or onto conveyors by hand, with hoists, or by directing crane operators.
• [Supplemental] Observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur.
• [Supplemental] Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.
• [Supplemental] Sprinkle chemicals over molten metal to bring impurities to the surface.
• [Supplemental] Direct work crews in the cleaning and repair of furnace walls and flooring.
• [Supplemental] Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.
• [Supplemental] Scrape accumulations of metal oxides from floors, molds, and crucibles, and sift and store them for reclamation.

Detailed work activities

• Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
• Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
• Adjust flow of electricity to tools or production equipment.
• Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
• Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
• Clean materials to prepare them for production.
• Clean production equipment.
• Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
• Direct operational or production activities.
• Ignite fuel to activate heating equipment.
• Inspect production equipment.
• Load materials into production equipment.
• Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
• Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
• Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
• Place materials into molds.
• Record operational or production data.
• Signal others to coordinate work activities.
• Skim impurities from molten metal.
• Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.