1) Uses electricity and torches to produce heat and solder together components made from steel, titanium, copper, and other metals 2) Welds small components like copper plumbing for residential use and large ones like pipelines for power plants or beams for buildings and bridges 3) Consults blueprints and sketches in order to execute jobs and tasks to specification 4) Assesses equipment, structures, materials, and job specifications for appropriate welding positions and methods 5) Monitors equipment for appropriate usage and temperature 6) Maintains a thorough knowledge of universal standards and specifications in order to meet building codes and legal requirements 7) Develops working knowledge of dozens of methods used for welding a variety of materials and components 8) Operates specialized machinery for industrial welding or supervises robots that do the same 9) Trims metal components using heat, fire, and electricity 10) Takes apart and disposes of large metal objects like automobiles, ships, and other structures 11) Follows safety protocol, including wearing heat-resistant gloves, protective masks, and safety shoes 12) Works in the construction or manufacturing industries