A Crane Operator in a Continuous Casting Machine (CCM) and casting environment operates heavy overhead, gantry, or bridge cranes to move heavy materials like molten metal, scrap, and finished steel products (billets/slabs) within a steel plant, prioritizing safety and production efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Crane Operation: Safely operate overhead cranes, hoists, and other lifting equipment using levers, pedals, and buttons to lift, move, and position heavy loads with precision.
Load Management: Select appropriate lifting attachments (magnets, chains, slings, buckets) and secure loads, ensuring they are within the crane's capacity and properly balanced.
Safety and Inspection: Perform daily pre-operational safety checks on crane components, brakes, and safety devices. Adhere strictly to all safety protocols and report any malfunctions immediately to a supervisor.
Production Support in CCM:
Operating the crane on the caster bay for tasks like lid removal/placement, tundish shifting, slag box changing, and mould body changing.
Lifting hot billets from the cooling bed and transferring them to inspection or stacking areas.
Feeding raw materials to furnaces and managing slag.
Communication & Coordination: Coordinate movements with ground crews and spotters using radio communication or standardized hand signals.
Maintenance & Record Keeping: Perform minor repairs, clean the crane cabin and equipment, and maintain accurate logs of operations, inspections, and maintenance activities.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Experience: Prior experience (typically 1-2+ years) operating industrial or overhead cranes in a heavy manufacturing or steel plant environment is generally required.