SCIENTIFIC

ORGANIZATION

THE BLAST-FURNACE

OF LA BOR FOR

WORKER, STEELMAKER,

AND MILLMAN

M. S h u m s k i i

and

M. R e z n i k o v

In 1968 the publishing house PROMIN', Dnepropetrovsk, published a series of booklets "Library of the M e ~ ! lurgist,"* in which problems of the scientific organization of labor in ferrous metallurgy are examined concreteiy. Efficient organization of labor in combination with progressive labor and technological standards provides a better utilization of working time and of the capacities of the main units, and consequently promotes an increase in production at minimum labor expenditures. The authors correctly note that the scientific organization of labor (SOL) plant should include organizational, technical, and economic measures based on the latest achievements of Soviet and foreign science and technology in order to attain maximum efficiency of labor while creating the most favorable conditions for the workers. The booklets give a detailed description of the existing organization of jobs in departments of the blastfurnace, converter, open-hearth, and rolting shops, analyze the organization of labor at leading enterprises, and give suggestions for improving production processes. Of interest is the list of concrete undertakings influencing an increase in the pro~tuctivity of labor and aimed at securing continuous operation of the blast-furnaces and decreasing the downtimes of the units for repairs and overhauling. The introduction of these measures will make it possible to produce additional quantities of metal. In the booklets, much attention is given to problems of improving quality and to standardization of raw materials for the blast-furnace, converter, and open-hearth shops. The basic directions in the planning and introduction of SOL in the open-hearth shops that are presented by the authors are unconditionally of interest to the open-hearth workers. As is known, a reduction of melting time is one of the important faqtors influencing an increase in steel production. The booklet "Scientific Organization of Labor for the Open-Hearth Worker" presents an investigation of the dependence of melting time on the duration of individual periods based on a statistical analysis of the melt records. As a result formulas were derived for determining the time of each period, which is very important for setting up scientifically founded schedules and longrange production plans. The description of oxygen-converter production, which differs radically from open-hearth, is presented rather thoroughly and clearly. As is known, the duration of open-hearth melting (without oxygen-blowing of the bath) on furnaces of different capacities varies from 6 to 12h. Therefore, a reduction of melting time is the main source for increasing the productivity of the open-hearth furnaces. The melting time in converters is rigorously regulated and lasts from 20 to 50 rain depending on the unit's capacity. The authors justifiably indicate that the source of an increase in the output of converters must be sought in the efficient organization of production preparation, inc!uding the sequence of operations of the technological process, operational plan of the converter bay, introduction of progressive methods of labor, and intercommunication with all departments of the shop. The booklet "Scientific Organization of Labor for the Millman" presents the basic direction of the scientific organization of labor in the rolling shops, elucidates problems of the proper planning of production and methods of determining the number of workers needed, and thoroughly analyzes the experience of thebest brigades. An important place in the development of SOL plans for millmen is occupied by improvement of equipment operation, * ~. S. Glikman and S. E. Gershgorin, "Scientific Organization of Labor for the Blast-Fun~ace Worker~; V. V. Smoktiy and N. A. Tareik0, "Scientific Organization of Labor for the Converter Operator"; I. A. Medvedev and A. P. Chernukha, "Scientific Organization of Labor for the Open-Hearth Worker"; and B. P. Bel'gol'skii, "Scientific Organization of Labor for the Millman." Ministry of Ferrous Metallurgy of the UkrSSR. Translated from Metallurg, No. 7, pp. 46-47, June, 1969. 454

organization of labor processes, and order of planning and servicing job sites. These matters are examined by the authors at a high scientific level and are unconditionally of interest to workers of the leading occupations and to engineers and technicians of the rolling shops. In the booklets much attention is given to norm-setting and labor payments. When determining norms the authors propose to start from the most efficient use of all means of production and labor of the worker. Therefore, the establishment of the t i m e norm and production norm is related to the solution of a whole range of problems of technology, economics, and organization of production and labor. The detailed examination of the principles of t e c h n i c a l norm-setting will undoubtedly be of great heip to workers at ferrous metallurgy enterprises. The authors present a method for determining the effectiveness of SOL undertakings. The main indices of the plant effectiveness of SOL plans are: an increase in production, annual economy from a decrease in production cost, increase of labor productivity, additional profit of the enterprise, improvement of working conditions, and r e p a y ment period of c a p i t a l expenditures. The booklets present calculations and give formulas for determining the e f f e c t iveness of measures for each factor improving the economic activity. A specific e x a m p l e of determining the e f f e c t iveness of the measures of the SOL plan, given for one of the rolling shops, will be of p r a c t i c a l help to workers. Problems of inward and m a t e r i a l stimulation of an improvement of SOL are reflected in the booklets. It is correctly pointed out that even with the most perfect technology it is impossible to obtain high production indexes if the workers employing this technology are not inwardly and m a t e r i a l l y interested in their labor. Therefore, the correct organization of inward and m a t e r i a l stimulation of an improvement of production is an important and inseparable part of SOL. The booklets are written simply and c l e a r l y , and are o f p r a c t i c a l help to workers of enterprises in matters of the scientific organization of labor. At the same time some problems of the scientific organization of labor at job sites are not as thoroughly presented by the authors as could be, which is evidently related with the limited size of booklets. It can be hoped that the work that has begun on popularization of SOL in ferrous metallurgy will continue. Coming up is an examination of problems of the scientific organization of labor for the sinter worker, hearth attendant, tube worker, e l e c t r i c i a n , m e c h a n i c , and workers of other occupations. The universal introduction of SOL in many areas of production has become one of the most important sources for increasing the productivity of labor.

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