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This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Metalworking machine operators

• Read specifications or follow verbal instructions
• Lay out, set up and operate one or more light or heavy metalworking machines such as shears, power presses, saws, plate rolls, drills, brakes, slitters, punch presses, computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment, and other hand tools to cut, bend, roll, ream, punch and drill, weld or otherwise shape and form metal stock into parts or products
• Operate machines or equipment which weld, solder, bolt, screw or rivet metal parts together
• Check products for correct shapes, dimensions and other specifications
• Troubleshoot and perform corrective action or minor repairs
• May select and transport material to work area manually or using crane or hoist
• May document work completed
• May build staging or erect scaffolding as required for heavy metalworking jobs
• May clean or lubricate equipment and replace parts as required.

Forging machine operators

• Operate gas or oil fired furnaces to heat metal to proper temperature prior to forging
• Place metal pieces in furnace using hand tongs or overhead cranes and remove from furnace when colour of metal indicates proper forging temperature, or load and unload furnace with automatic conveyor
• Position heated or cold metal pieces, on die of press or other forging machinery
• Operate presses or other forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, twisting, forming, drawing, upsetting, splitting, cutting, punching, piercing, bending, coining, or other operations to shape or form metal
• Position and adjust dies on anvil of forging machinery using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices and hand tools.

• Completion of secondary school education may be required.
• Previous experience as a labourer or helper in the same company may be required.
• On-the-job training is usually provided.

• Progression to blacksmith, die setting, or supervisory positions is possible with experience for forging machine operators.
• Progression to structural metal fabricator or supervisory positions is possible with experience for metalworking machine operators.
• There is little or no mobility between operators of light and heavy metalworking machines.

• Sheet metal workers (7233)
• Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters (7235)
• Supervisors of metalworking machine operators (in 9226 Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing)