Description of the Welder Trade
“Welder” is this trade’s official Red Seal occupational title approved by the CCDA. This standard covers tasks performed by welders.
Welders permanently join pieces of metal by applying heat, using filler metal or fusion processes. They join parts being manufactured, build structures, repair damaged or worn parts and apply wear surfaces. They use various welding processes to join structural steel and metal in vessels, piping and other components. They also use various cutting and gouging processes as well as fabricate parts, tools, machines and equipment used in the construction and manufacturing industries. They must be knowledgeable in weld faults (discontinuities), how they happen and how to correct them.
Welders may specialize in certain types of welding such as custom fabrication, ship building and repair, bridge building and repairs, marine infrastructure, aerospace, pressure vessels, pipeline, structural welding, and machinery and equipment repair. There is a large diversity of materials used and products manufactured, resulting in a greater range of processes and specializations.
Welders may be self-employed contractors or be employed by companies such as fabrication shops, steel and platform manufacturers, refineries, mechanical contractors, transportation contractors (heavy machinery, aircraft, shipbuilding, railcar repair), and specialized welding shops. Their work may be performed outdoors or indoors, on land or in water, and travel may be required to jobs in remote locations.
In order to meet high quality standards, welders require attributes such as good mechanical ability, manual dexterity, good vision, excellent hand-eye coordination, and the ability to concentrate on detail work. They should be able to work independently and as part of a team. They also require the ability to work efficiently and accurately, to visualize a finished product, to reason logically and to understand metallurgy. They must be able to read and understand fabrication drawings and a variety of different prints depending on the industry.
Occupational hazards in this trade include: sparks, gases, hazardous fumes, burns, heavy lifting, repetitive stress and exposure to ultra-violet and infra-red radiation. Environmental conditions may include working at heights, in confined spaces, in trenches and in extreme temperatures.
With experience, welders may advance to positions such as lead hand, welding supervisor, welding inspector, welding engineer and project manager.
This standard recognizes similarities or overlaps with the work of industrial mechanics (millwrights), sheet metal workers, steamfitters/pipefitters, metal fabricators (fitters), ironworkers and boilermakers. With additional training, welders can transfer their skills to these related trades.