Welder

Responsibilities

• Selects type and size of pipe or other related materials and equipment according to specifications
• Selects equipment and plans layouts, assembly, and welding, applying knowledge of geometry, physical properties of metal machining, weld shrinkage and welding techniques
• May be required to use Gas-Metal Arc, Flux-Cored Arc, Gas-Tungsten Arc, Submerged Arc, or Shielded Metal Arc welding processes
• Lays out, positions, aligns and fits components together in various body positions
• Bolts, clamps and welds together metal components of products such as piping systems, plate, pipe and tube or structural shapes, using arc and arc gas welding equipment
• May weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead position
• May tack weld assemblies together
• Connects cable from welding unit to obtain amperage, voltage, slope and pulse as specified by procedure or supervisor
• Obtains specified electrode and inserts electrode into portable holder or threads consumable electrode wire through portable welding gun
• Starts power supply to produce electric current
• Strikes arc which generates heat to melt and deposit metal from electrode to work piece and join edges of work piece
• Manually guides electrode or gun along weld-line, maintaining length of arc and speed and movement to form specified depth of fusion and bead, as judged from color of metal, sound of weld, and size of molten puddle
• May manually apply filler rod to supply weld metal
• May clean or degrease weld joint or workplace, using wire brush, portable grinder, or chemical bath
• May repair broken or cracked parts and fill holes
• May remove excess weld, defective weld material, slag and spatter, using carbon arc gouge, hand scrapper, grinder or power chipper
• May preheat work piece, using hand torch or heating furnace
• May cut metal plates or structural shape
• Loads, transports and unloads material, tools, equipment and supplies
• Absorbs and transmits force to maintain balance while standing on unstable surfaces
• Performs minor maintenance or cleaning activities of tools and equipment
• Aids in the installation of materials and work pieces

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Previous years of experience in the field or in a related area