Metal Fabricating Shop Helper Career

*A job as a Metal Fabricating Shop Helper falls under the broader career category of Helpers--Production Workers. The information on this page will generally apply to all careers in this category but may not specifically apply to this career title.

Job Description for Helpers--Production Workers : Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.


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Helpers--Production Worker Career

What Helpers--Production Workers do:

  • Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.
  • Examine products to verify conformance to quality standards.
  • Observe equipment operations so that malfunctions can be detected, and notify operators of any malfunctions.
  • Lift raw materials, finished products, and packed items, manually or using hoists.
  • Remove products, machine attachments, or waste material from machines.
  • Pack and store materials and products.
  • Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.
  • Transfer finished products, raw materials, tools, or equipment between storage and work areas of plants and warehouses, by hand or using hand trucks or powered lift trucks.
  • Start machines or equipment to begin production processes.
  • Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill, such as supplying or holding materials or tools, or cleaning work areas and equipment.
  • Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, and conveyances.
  • Count finished products to determine if product orders are complete.
  • Signal coworkers to direct them to move products during the production process.
  • Turn valves to regulate flow of liquids or air, to reverse machines, to start pumps, or to regulate equipment.
  • Wash work areas, machines, equipment, vehicles, or products.
  • Record information, such as the number of products tested, meter readings, or dates and times of product production.
  • Clean and lubricate equipment.
  • Mark or tag identification on parts.
  • Read gauges or charts, and record data obtained.
  • Cut or break flashing from materials or products.
  • Measure amounts of products, lengths of extruded articles, or weights of filled containers to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Prepare raw materials for processing.
  • Separate products according to weight, grade, size, or composition of materials used to produce them.
  • Unclamp and hoist full reels from braiding, winding, or other fabricating machines, using power hoists.
  • Attach slings, ropes, or cables to objects such as pipes, hoses, or bundles.
  • Perform minor repairs to machines, such as replacing damaged or worn parts.
  • Tie products in bundles for further processing or shipment, following prescribed procedures.
  • Mix ingredients according to specified procedures or formulas.
  • Break up defective products for reprocessing.
  • Position spouts or chutes of storage bins so that containers can be filled.
  • Dump materials such as prepared ingredients into machine hoppers prior to mixing.
  • Change machine gears, using wrenches.
  • Fold products and product parts during processing.
  • Thread ends of items such as thread, cloth, and lace through needles and rollers, and around take-up tubes.

What work activities are most important?

Importance Activities

Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Holland Code Chart for a Helpers--Production Worker