Metal Work

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Metal work refers to the fabrication, construction, and repair of metallic parts. Industries that deal with metal work make excessive use of metals and necessitate professional metal workers for the development of specific techniques related to metal work. Metal work incorporates various facets to opt from which includes metal work associated with computer controlled machines, structural iron work, blacksmithing work, metal fabrication work, and sheet metal work.

Usage of modern machines may cut down the efforts of executing metal work. However, it just cannot substitute the efficient touch of the hands of these professional metal workers which is a prerequisite in metal work. The customary hand equipments are still utilized even today.

These equipments are responsible for making the metal abrade, smooth, well cut, and polished. These equipments are constructed and designed in a simple manner which is responsible for their long length of service and providing them the required strength. Some of the frequently used tools used in metal work are: mallets, files, snips, hacksaws, and dollies.

Metal work involves installing and placing of columns, steel, iron girders, and other metal working material for the construction of fly overs, buildings, and other construction structures.

Job Profiles of Metal Work

There are various job profiles that can be listed under metal work. They are as follows:

• Scrap Metal Recycling Worker: These workers haul the metal waste to a recycling center where it is further sorted. Later, they melt these waste materials to create a completely new product. These products are maintained in the company's warehouse. They may work for large and small businesses

• Aircraft Sheet Metal Repairers: These professionals are responsible for substituting and mainly, repairing of composite and worn out parts including defective parts and metal sheets of the aircraft. They also check for any physical issues related to the tails, fuselage, or wings of the aircraft and make use of precision tools, magnetic devises, and X-rays in their work. They may even work on other types of airplanes viz., jets and helicopters

• Metal Buffers: Metal buffers generally make use of hand held equipments for polishing the metallic materials, correcting defects, preparing smooth surfaces of metals. They use compound sticks for the covering of buffing wheel. They uphold the burnishers, finishing wheels, buffering materials, and finishing machines. They also look after the functioning and assembling of polishing tools

• Sheet Metal Fabricator: Sheet metal fabricators are responsible for bending and cutting of metal sheets using various metal tools such as joining hardware, welds, and rivets. They interpret the blueprints to identify the speculations of the metal parts. They may get employed in manufacturing plants, construction industries, and precision electronic assemblage

Work Conditions of Metal Work

Safety is a concern for metal workers as they are exposed to a high probability of suffering from many kinds of physical injuries. They are required to make use of right kind of gloves that are best suited and created with appropriate materials. Another tool for preventing themselves from body injuries is the eye wear that is specially designed for these professionals. Metal workers also wear safety glasses and safety goggles at appropriate times as and when required.

Metal workers are expected to follow the safety tips designed by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) while working in a metal work setting. They may include removing of metal shavings with the help of a brush, utilizing sharp tools while executing metal work, and using gloves during the movement of metallic materials.

Hazards of Metal Work

The general hazards that are involved in metal work are: concussions, burns, amputees, fractures, respiratory diseases, eye injuries, and dental injuries. Other forms of injuries in the field of metal works may include hand lacerations, soft tissue injuries, eye wounds, and hearing loss. OSHA recommends the frequent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for reducing the risks involved in metal work.

Job prospects are excellent for certified or apprenticeship trained metal work professionals. There has been an increase in the construction of commercial, industrial, and residential structures over the recent years. Thus, it is expected to have a major outcome of the need for more proficient metal work to meet the requirements of the construction industry.