Description of the Sheet Metal Worker trade
“Sheet Metal Worker” is this trade’s official Red Seal occupational title approved by the CCDA. This standard covers tasks performed by sheet metal workers.
Sheet metal workers design, fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products and systems. In fabrication work, sheet metal workers design, lay out and manufacture pieces to project specifications. They use tools such as hand tools, portable power tools and shop equipment to cut and shape material. They assemble and join the pieces with various techniques such as welding, soldering, seaming and using mechanical fasteners.
They work with mild steel, galvanized steel, satin-coated steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, nickel, tin plate and other alloys. Some may also work with composites, fibreglass, ceramics and plastics.
Pieces may be designed, laid out and cut in the shop and assembled on construction or industrial sites. Sheet metal workers may specialize in on-site installation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), material handling system design, shop manufacture, using computer aided design (CAD), and servicing and maintenance of installed equipment and systems. Those who work in installation may specialize in HVAC, boiler lagging/vessel cladding, roofing products, architectural sheet metal, custom metal products, food service products, secondary systems for environmental projects, pneumatic conveyance or signage. In some jurisdictions, they may also specialize in testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB).
Employers in this trade include sheet metal fabrication shops, manufacturing companies of sheet metal, installation contractors, HVAC contractors, and architectural sheet metal contractors. Sheet metal workers may be involved in residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, construction, and civil infrastructure sectors.
Key attributes for people entering this trade are mechanical and mathematical aptitude, hand-eye coordination, spatial perception and manual dexterity. The work often requires considerable standing, climbing, kneeling, lifting, carrying and working at heights.
Hazards of the trade include working with sharp metal pieces, at heights, around excessive noise and vibration, as well as exposure to heat and fumes. Sheet metal workers often must work in adverse weather and environmental conditions.
This standard recognizes some transferable skills between the sheet metal worker trade and other trades such as ironworkers, boilermakers, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, plumbers, insulators (heat and frost), gasfitters, oil heat system technicians, electricians, roofers, carpenters and welders.
With experience, sheet metal workers act as mentors and trainers to apprentices in the trade. They may also become specialists in design and layout, and move into other positions such as estimators, supervisors or business owners.