Job description Steel Fabricator in British Columbia

Find out what work is like for a steel fabricator in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (NOC 72104).

Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters

Description

Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters fabricate, assemble, fit and install steel or other metal components for buildings, bridges, tanks, towers, boilers, pressure vessels and other similar structures and products. They are employed in structural steel, boiler and platework fabrication plants and by heavy machinery manufacturing and shipbuilding companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Work week duration

Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Study engineering drawings and blueprints, determine the materials required, and plan the sequence of tasks to cut metal most efficiently
  • Construct patterns and templates as guides for layouts
  • Lay out reference points and patterns on heavy metal according to component specifications
  • Rig, hoist and move materials to storage areas or within worksite
  • Assemble and fit metal sections and plates to form complete units or subunits using tack welding, bolting, riveting or other methods
  • Set up and operate various heavy-duty metal-working machines such as brake presses, shears, cutting torches, grinders and drills, including computer numerical control (CNC) equipment, to bend, cut, form, punch, drill or otherwise form heavy-metal components
  • Install fabricated components in final product.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Standing
  • Handling material manually
  • Bending or twisting the body

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Structural steel fabrication plants
  • Platework fabrication plants
  • Shipbuilding companies
  • Boiler fabrication plants
  • Heavy machinery manufacturing plants

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Indoors, not environmentally controlled
  • Sound and noise
  • Standard safety equipment
  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Hazardous equipment, machinery, tools
  • Extremely bright or inadequate lighting
  • Skin injury

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 72104), and a list of similar occupations:

  • metal fabricator
  • plater
  • platework fitter
  • shipfitter
  • shipfitter apprentice
  • steel fabricator
  • structural steel fitter

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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