National Occupation Code (NOC): 7233

Sheet metal workers fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products. They are employed by sheet metal fabrication shops, sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal work contractors and various industrial sectors.

Job Duties for Sheet metal workers

• Read engineering and architectural drawings, sketches and work specifications to be performed, 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) software package
• 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 to cut sheet metal
• 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 to ensure conformance to specifications.

Sheet metal workers may specialize in on-site installation or shop manufacture of sheet metal products, or servicing and maintenance of installed equipment and systems.

Working Conditions for Sheet metal workers

Sheet metal workers typically work 40 hours per week, however, some overtime may be required to meet deadlines. Work is done both indoors and outdoors in a variety of settings, including shops, homes and commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. Although duct systems and kitchen equipment are installed indoors, the installation of siding, roofing and gutters involves outdoor work in various kinds of weather. Sheet metal workers who do installation work are required to do considerable bending, lifting, standing, climbing and squatting, sometimes in close quarters or in awkward positions. These workers also often work at heights from ladders and scaffolding. Safety regulations are followed in order to prevent injury, such as cuts from metal and burns from soldering and welding. Working conditions have changed somewhat in recent years, as greater mechanization has reduced the labour intensity of this type of work. In addition, various CNC cutting machines using water jet and laser technology are becoming more widespread within the industry, which increases the need for workers with computer skills.

Alternate Job Titles

• Aircraft Layout Man/woman Sheet Metal
• Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker
• Apprentice Tinsmith
• Construction Sheet Metal Worker
• Coppersmith
• Custom Sheet Metal Fabricator
• Fitter - Sheet Metal Working
• High Rise Sheet Metal Installer
• Industrial Sheet Metal Worker
• Journeyman/woman Sheet Metal Worker
• Maintenance Sheet Metal Worker
• Metal Furniture Model Maker
• Metal Furniture Patternmaker
• Plant Tinsmith
• Precision Sheet Metal Fabricator
• Precision Sheet Metal Mechanic
• Precision Sheet Metal Worker
• Residential (low Rise) Sheet Metal Installer
• Sheet Metal Fabricator
• Sheet Metal Installer
• Sheet Metal Layer-out
• Sheet Metal Mechanic
• Sheet Metal Mechanic Apprentice
• Sheet Metal Mechanic Bench Hand
• Sheet Metal Model Maker
• Sheet Metal Patternmaker
• Sheet Metal Roofer
• Sheet Metal Work Erector
• Sheet Metal Worker
• Sheet Metal Worker - Manufacturing
• Sheet Metal Worker - Specialty Manufacturing
• Tinsmith
• Tinsmith - Sheet Metal Work
• Tinsmith Roofer
• Sheet Metal Apprentice
• Licensed Sheet Metal Workers.
• Sheetmetal Tradesman/woman
• Cnc Plasma Cutter
• Stretcher -ad
• Sheet Metal Journeyman, 40 Hour Week (308a)
• Architectural Sheet Metal Service Foreman
• Sheet-metal Technician
• Sheet Metal