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.

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

Mechanical -- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. Production and Processing -- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Operation Monitoring -- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Operation and Control -- Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Equipment Selection -- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Control Precision -- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Static Strength -- The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects. Manual Dexterity -- The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. Near Vision -- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Extent Flexibility -- The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs. Trunk Strength -- The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing. Multilimb Coordination -- The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. Arm-Hand Steadiness -- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. Information Ordering -- The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Controlling Machines and Processes -- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings -- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. Handling and Moving Objects -- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. Performing General Physical Activities -- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.