Foundry Worker

Also known as:

Metal Worker, Foundry

Introduction

Foundry workers carry out a variety of tasks to make products from metal. There are many jobs in the different stages of the work process. For example, preparing moulds, operating furnaces, dealing with molten metal and finishing work.

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Work Activities

Foundry workers produce cast metal products, ranging from car parts to ships' propellers or parts for mobile phones. Metal is melted in a furnace and the molten metal is poured into moulds made out of sand or metal. Once the metal casting has set, the mould is removed.

There are a number of different occupations within the foundry industry, because there are so many different processes involved.

Sand mixers or sand mill operators mix the sand mixture used for moulding, or operate sand mixing machinery. Machine moulders operate automated or hand operated moulding machinery, check moulds for faults and carry out repairs. Furnace operators load up different kinds of furnaces with a metal mixture. They check temperatures and supervise the melting process.

Casters then pour the molten metal into moulds. The metal is poured using large ladles suspended from cranes or small hand-held containers known as shanks.

Knock-out operators use a variety of techniques to remove the mould once the casting has cooled.

Finally, fettlers, grinders and shot blasters use a variety of techniques to remove any surplus metal from the casting.

Many processes are automated, so much of the heavy physical labour is disappearing.

Foundry workers may have to work in hot and noisy, and sometimes dark and dirty conditions. Some time is spent outside, for example sorting through scrap metal. Safety clothing including overalls, shoes, gloves, helmets and eye shields must be worn.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You will need good hand to eye co-ordination skills and an aptitude for practical work. Some jobs, particularly in the smaller, less mechanised foundries, require physical strength for lifting and carrying.

You will have to work carefully and accurately, following safety procedures.

You also need to be able to work well with others, as part of a team.

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Pay and Opportunities

Wages for foundry workers vary depending on the tasks their work involves.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Foundry workers earn in the range of £220 - £270 a week, rising to £340 - £410.

Foundry workers usually work a 39-hour week, which may include late finishes, weekend and shift work.

Employers throughout the UK are foundries, large and small.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

People often enter this job with a background in a similar type of industry.

Skills and abilities gained in metal production and fabrication, can be useful.

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