Vertical continuous casting is undeniably a potentially high-risk operation, both for the equipment used and especially for the operators. Operator safety is paramount and keeping operators away from sources of danger is the first measure to be implemented. To keep operators away from the casting machine, the machine must be equipped with highly accurate sensors, responsive actuators and start-up tools that allow the process to be managed without operator intervention as part of an automated system, thus paving the way for "hands-free" casting.