Duties

As a kiln operator, you will be in charge of the following duties:

• Keep track of gauges, meters, valves and other equipment to make sure they are in keeping with production and process guidelines.
• Uphold standard operating practices and report issues regarding quality, safety and hygiene to immediate supervisor.
• Promote a work environment that is supportive of continuous learning, developing your own skillset and assisting other staff to do the same.
• Conduct research on different processing methods and test properties of materials to refine existing techniques or establish a new process.
• Assess product items for defects and prepare them for storage, shipping or further processing.

Day in the Life

As a kiln operator, you will program the kiln as per specific requirements such as the type of material or product. There is a precise temperature and duration at which every product should be fired. It is up to you to closely monitor these controls and remove excess waste from the kiln once the firing process is complete. Regular communication with other kiln operators on your team is important, as is updating your immediate supervisor on any housekeeping issues. Through your career, you will also spend some time familiarising yourself with new techniques and the wide range of kilns that are present in different industries. It is vital to use every equipment carefully and accurately to create good quality products.

Work Schedule

Kiln operators work up to 40 hours every week, on different shifts. Workers may have to take on one of three shifts: morning, night, or graveyard. Those working at odd hours also get premium pay, as do those working overtime (more than 40 hours per week), weekends or on holidays.

Since the work is done in a production plant or factory, expect the environment to be hot, noisy and lacking regular maintenance. You must wear protective clothing or equipment for safety reasons. Your job may also require you to operate various machines such as computers, transportation tools, forklifts and coal mills. Workplace accidents are not uncommon as you may work in proximity to large machines and molten metal. Most kiln operators take protective measures such as wearing fireproof clothes or safety masks that lower the risk of inhaling fine particles.

Growth of the Job

Once you gain sufficient experience, you are promoted to positions such as kiln supervisor, production manager, etc. Further training can also help you become a maintenance professional, specialising in cleaning, repairing and servicing all kinds of kilns. Opportunities are to be more positive for workers employed at electronic arc furnace mills, which are more cost-effective than traditional steel mills. Some professionals branch off to alternate careers such as machine setting, painting or spraying machine setter, field production technician, production helper, wood product engineer or ceramics designer maker.

Typical Employers

Kiln operators are hired for sites such as rubber and industrial manufacturing, material processing, lumber, glass and clay industries, craft workshops and educational institutions.

New job openings will result due to growing prospects and the turnover from employees that are leaving. You can find potential job opportunities with leading companies like Interfor Corporation, Trinity Industries, Calgon Carbon Corp and API Technologies Corp.