About the Trade

Sheet metal workers make, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products. They work in fabrication shops and manufacturing companies, in the building industry and in various industrial sectors. They may specialize in on-site installation, in-shop manufacture, or maintenance of installed systems.

What sheet metal workers do:

• Read engineering and architectural drawings and sketches and lay out, measure and mark sheet metal according to drawings or templates.
• Develop patterns for sheet metal using computer-assisted design and drafting (CAD or computer-aided design) software.
• Operate light metalworking machines such as shears, brakes, punches, and drill presses, including computer numerical control (CNC) equipment to cut, bend, punch, drill, shape or straighten sheet metal.
• Operate computerized laser or plasma cutting equipment.
• Install and use rigging and hoisting equipment.
• Fit and join sheet metal parts using riveting, welding, soldering and similar equipment to fabricate products such as ventilation shafts, exhaust hoods, eavestroughs, partition frames, air and heat ducts, material handling systems, roof decking and sheet metal buildings.
• Install sheet metal products according to specifications and building codes.
• Grind and buff seams, joints and rough surfaces.
• Inspect product quality and installation.

Where sheet metal workers work

• Aircraft and parts manufacturers.
• Construction firms.
• Primary steel producers.
• Stamping press and coated metal products companies.
• Plumbing, heating and air conditioning firms.
• Fabricated structural metal product producers.

Working conditions for sheet metal workers

• Usually 40 hours a week, but expect overtime during peak periods,
  if you’re in construction.
• Indoors or outdoors.
• On your own or with others.
• Possibly at considerable heights.
• May have to lift heavy materials and equipment.

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