Forging Operator

A forging operator sets up, runs, and maintains heavy machinery to shape metal or plastic parts under high pressure. [1, 2]

Key Responsibilities

• Machine Setup: Read blueprints, work orders, and technical specs to set ram pressures, stroke depths, and operational sequences.
• Die Management: Install, adjust, or remove dies and hammers using hand tools and overhead cranes.
• Material Handling: Heat metal in furnaces or feed cold stock into presses, hammers, and forging rolls.
• Quality Control: Inspect finished parts with measuring tools to verify they match exact design tolerances.
• Maintenance: Perform basic troubleshooting, clear jams, and do routine repairs on equipment.

Comply with all company policies and procedures, including Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality Assurance requirements; wear required personal protective equipment and follow safe work practices in the forging area. 

• Report injuries, accidents, near misses, equipment concerns, quality issues, or unsafe conditions to a supervisor or manager immediately. 

• Review and follow assigned job orders, work instructions, and production requirements as directed by the supervisor, lead, or setup personnel. 

• Operate or tend assigned presses and forging equipment after setup has been completed, following established procedures and production standards. 

• Load, unload, move, and position materials or parts using approved methods, hand tools, hoisting devices, forklifts, or other material-handling equipment as trained and authorized. 

• Monitor machine operation and part flow during production; watch for obvious defects, abnormal sounds, equipment issues, or unsafe conditions and notify supervision when concerns arise. 

• Perform basic visual checks and simple measurements as instructed to help confirm parts meet work order and quality requirements.