Refractory Technician - Shift Lead

HWI has a fantastic opportunity to join our Value Added Services Team as a Refractory Technician - Shift Lead.

Summary

The Refractory Technician - Shift Lead is a customer facing, labor-intensive position skilled in lining, relining and repairing furnaces, ladles, and tundishes. This position ensures the safety and health of the crew and is a hands-on leader performing direct tasks while also providing production updates to the Lead Refractory Support Specialist.

Responsibilities

• Running the shift’s day to day activities including: Coordinating scheduling of the shift and allocate resources appropriately, adjusting equipment resources, anticipating and performing break coverage, coordinating and performing general maintenance on HWI equipment, ensuring quality checks are performed as required
• Reading and interpreting refractory lining drawings; using brick saw and bricklaying equipment to lay brick up in ladles, furnaces, tundishes, etc.- handle bricks by hand for multiple hours at a time - perform plug changes, repair slide gates, etc.; teaching installation procedures to and providing guidance to correct procedures
• Assisting with cleaning and preparing ladles, furnaces, tundishes, etc for repair, relining and fabrication. Performing all types of refractory installation methods, including gunite, pouring, ramming, pumping, ceramic fiber and firebrick installation.
• Assisting with post mortem tear outs and accurately documenting findings
• Performing preventive and general maintenance tasks on tools and refractory equipment; documenting the preventative maintenance. Performing spare parts and tool inventory count to ensure site specific standards are maintained; completing detailed inventory usage reports at the end of shift
• Observing and promoting safety and 5’S standards; complying with established facility safety policies and procedures, and other regulations as applicable; participating in daily safety tool box talks and monthly trainings; maintaining a safe and clean working environment

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Ability to safely use brick saw and bricklaying equipment to lay brick
• Requires working knowledge of refractory lined units
• Ability to safely operate a jib crane and ensure the rigging of the load is correct
• Ability to safely operate a forklift
• Ability to safely operate various hand and electrical tools
• Ability to read, understand and work in conformity with work orders, as directed
• Ability to detect and correct unsafe or hazardous conditions of equipment and work environment
• Organized individual with emphasis on quality
• Requires fundamental computer skills, experience in excel a plus
• The Refractory Technician - Shift Lead requires 1 year of refectory installation knowledge.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Physical Activity: Requires more than 2/3 of the time standing, walking, using hands and fingers, reaching, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, speaking, hearing, or smelling; requires less than 1/3 of the time sitting.
• Lifting: Requires lifting up to 75 lbs/23kg more than 2/3 of the time
• Vision: Requires accurate close, distance, color and peripheral vision and depth perception, including the ability to adjust focus.
• Environment: Requires more than 2/3 of the time working near moving mechanical parts, and being exposed to fumes, airborne particles and outdoor weather conditions; 1/3 to 2/3 of the time in wet or humid conditions, in extreme heat or cold, and exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals; and less than 1/3 of the time in an office setting, in high places, at risk of electrical shock and near vibration. May require wearing respirators, hearing protection, and/or other safety equipment.
• Noise: Requires working in very loud conditions (over 85 decibels).