Metal Heaters operate furnaces or oil-fired pits (soaking pits) to heat metal materials to specified temperatures for production operations. These operations may include forging (shaping heated metal with blows or pressure from a machine) and mill rolling (narrowing the thickness of metal by putting it through a series of rollers).

JOB DUTIES 

Metal Heaters in forging plants may:

Read dials and gages and turn knobs to regulate the flow of fuel or electric current and maintain a certain furnace temperature

Position stock in the furnace

Observe the metal color or read a pyrometer to determine when stock reaches forging temperature

Pull stock from the furnace and deliver it to the forging press or hammer

Metal Heaters in steel mills may:

Ignite furnace burners, using a torch

Turn valves to regulate flow of fuel and air to burners

Signal workers to load steel into furnace

Read dials and gages, observe color of the steel in furnace, and adjust controls to maintain specified furnace temperature

Assist other workers in repairing, replacing, or adjusting furnace

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Metal Heaters may specialize in these areas:

619.682-022 HEATERS and

613.362-010 HEATERS in steel mills control gas- or oil-fired pits or reheating furnaces to heat metal sheets, blooms, billets, and slabs to a specified temperature for rolling. Heaters in forging plants control oil, gas, or electrical furnaces to heat metal stock such as billets, bars, plates, and rods prior to forging. They follow work order specifications.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Most Metal Heaters work as members of a crew with minimum supervision. They may be assisted by heater helpers. Most work in well lighted and ventilated buildings. Surroundings are hot from the intense heat of the furnace or soaking pit and noisy from nearby machine operations such as drop hammering, pressing, forging, or rolling. Hazards to Metal Heaters include body injury from moving machinery, eye injury from flying metal chips, and hot metals and furnaces.

The normal workweek is 40-hours, 8 hours a day. They may be assigned to rotating shifts, and overtime may be necessary in order to meet production deadlines.

Metal Heaters must supply their own safety shoes. The employer usually supplies helmets, earplugs, gloves, and safety glasses.

Metal Heaters may belong to one of several different unions including The United Steelworkers of America or The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities involving use of processes, machines, and techniques

• Activities of a routine, organized nature

You Should Be Able To:

• See differences in size/shape/texture/form of objects/materials

• Follow written or spoken instructions

• Evaluate information using standards that can be measured or checked

• Meet set standards of accuracy

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

The speed of a centrifugal compressor is changed from 1,000 to 3,000 rpm. If the compressor originally delivered 2,000 cfm, what will the new delivery be?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

In the conduction and convection mechanisms, the transfer of heat is associated with matter. For radiant heat transfer, however, a change in energy from takes place, from internal energy at the source to electromagnetic energy for transmission then back to internal energy at the receiver.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an order form for the supplies and tools necessary to replace a furnace.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills and be detail oriented in operating a furnace and assessing materials.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Because the work can be hazardous, summer and part-time employment are not allowed for individuals under the age of 18.

               School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Metal Heater employer

internships

volunteer work with a Metal Heater employer

community service work with an agency

Most Metal Heaters enter the field through direct application to employers. Assistance in locating jobs may be obtained from local unions and local offices of the Michigan Works! Agency. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank    

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Metal Heaters vary from area to area because of differences in the cost-of-living allowance, size and type of employer, and extent of unionization.

Nationally, the average hourly rate for all production workers, including Metal Heaters, in the primary metals industry was $15.40 in early 1999.

In Michigan, the average hourly wage rate (1998) for all production workers in the primary metals industry, which employs most Metal Heaters, was about $12.48. The basic hourly rate for a unionized Metal Heater (80 inch mill) at one large Detroit area steel mill was $16.73 in mid 1999. Wage rates for unionized Metal Heaters on incentive pay may be more than the base union hourly wage.

Metal Heaters may receive 1-1/2 or 2 times the hourly rate of pay for overtime and for work on weekends and holidays. They are paid an additional 2% to 10% of the hourly rate for evening or night shift work.

Most Metal Heaters receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and retirement plans. In the steel industry, other benefits may include an earnings protection plan and severance pay for workers who are laid off because of the use of new equipment. Some employees and their dependents may also receive dental and/or optical benefits.

Individuals usually start out in entry-level jobs such as laborer or helper. They may advance to Heater or supervisor. Promotions depend on the availability of job openings and on the individual's ability to do the job. Physical fitness and length of service with the company are also considered. Taking courses in metallurgy, chemistry, and physics might improve a worker's chances for promotion.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

The exact number of Metal Heaters employed in the United States is unknown. The employment of Metal Heaters has been adversely affected by steel imports to the United States and by such technological developments as the increased use of non-metal materials and computers in the production process. However, future demands for Metal Heaters should be closely related to general economic conditions.

About 75 Metal Heaters were employed in Michigan. All Metal Heaters worked within the manufacturing industry. They worked primarily for iron, steel, and automotive companies.

Employment of Metal Heaters in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2005. In the automobile industry, plastic materials are replacing some sheet steel in manufacturing lighter-weight cars. Plastic, wood, paper, glass and other materials are being increasingly used instead of metal for production in other industries, further slowing the growth of Metal Heater's employment. Increases and decreases in the production of the auto industry will influence the demand for metal, especially in Michigan.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.