NorthStar

Occupations/51-4051.00

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

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.

High school

Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.

AI automation risk

80%

Higher automation risk

Human characteristics

20%

Fewer uniquely human demands

Task orientation

75%

Higher automation risk

A day in this job

  • Mostly routine

    Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.

  • Mostly routine

    Record production data, and maintain production logs.

  • Mostly routine

    Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.

The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.

Core tasks

  1. 01Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
  2. 02Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
  3. 03Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
  4. 04Record production data, and maintain production logs.
  5. 05Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
  6. 06Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.

Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)

  • Repeating same tasks3.83
  • Degree of automation2.91
  • Time sitting2.14
  • Originality (ability)2.12
  • Conflict situations2.47
  • Hands-on objects/tools4.47
  • Outdoors / weather1.82
  • Disease exposure1.08
  • Decision freedom3.85

Top abilities

  • Control Precision3.88
  • Problem Sensitivity3.75
  • Near Vision3.75
  • Manual Dexterity3.75
  • Reaction Time3.62
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness3.62
  • Selective Attention3.38
  • Multilimb Coordination3.25

Essential skills

  • Reading Comprehension3.00
  • Active Listening3.00
  • Writing2.75
  • Speaking3.00
  • Mathematics2.50
  • Science2.00
  • Critical Thinking3.00
  • Active Learning2.88
  • Learning Strategies2.25
  • Monitoring3.62

CIP matches

99.9999NO MATCH

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