O*NET-SOC 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.

From O*NET 30.3

Tasks

From O*NET 30.3, by importance, as O*NET OnLine lists them

Free · O*NET 30.3

Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.Core10163
Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.Core10158
Prepare material to load into furnaces, including cleaning, crushing, or applying chemicals, by using crushing machines, shovels, rakes, or sprayers.Supplemental10171
Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.Core10162
Record production data, and maintain production logs.Core10160
Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.Core10165
Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.Core10161
Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.Core10164
Drain, transfer, or remove molten metal from furnaces, and place it into molds, using hoists, pumps, or ladles.Core10159
Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.Supplemental10167
Kindle fires, and shovel fuel and other materials into furnaces or onto conveyors by hand, with hoists, or by directing crane operators.Core10168
Observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur.Supplemental10166
Sprinkle chemicals over molten metal to bring impurities to the surface.Supplemental10169
Direct work crews in the cleaning and repair of furnace walls and flooring.Supplemental10170
Scrape accumulations of metal oxides from floors, molds, and crucibles, and sift and store them for reclamation.Supplemental10172

Technology Skills

From O*NET 30.3, 5 examples in 5 categories, 2 Hot Technology

Free · O*NET 30.3

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft ExcelHot Technology

Office suite software

Microsoft Office softwareHot Technology

Industrial control software

Process control software

Data base user interface and query software

Process safety management software

Inventory management software

Production tracking system software

Detailed Work Activities

From O*NET 30.3, under their work activities; open one for the AI skills Workforce Automation maps to it

Free · O*NET 30.3

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspect production equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Performing General Physical Activities

Clean production equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Load materials into production equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Place materials into molds.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Clean materials to prepare them for production.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Handling and Moving Objects

Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Adjust flow of electricity to tools or production equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Skim impurities from molten metal.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet
Ignite fuel to activate heating equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Controlling Machines and Processes

Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Documenting/Recording Information

Record operational or production data.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Signal others to coordinate work activities.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Direct operational or production activities.
WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open
WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level
- No tools yet
- Not mapped yet

Job Zone

From O*NET 30.3

Free · O*NET 30.3

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

WFA coverage: AI skills for this job

WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

Pilot mapping: these skill links come from our seed list and haven’t been reviewed yet. Expect them to change as each one is checked.

DWAs covered by an AI skill0 of 20

Distinct tools0

Level mix

No tools yet

Equivalents

NICE work roles, with their DCWF equivalents

Mapped to this job by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); roles from NICE Framework Components v2.2.0, DCWF equivalents from DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Free · NICE Framework Components v2.2.0 and DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

No NICE work role maps to this job.