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Boilermakers are trained tradesmen responsible for steel fabrication production from sections and plates.

Boilermaker Job Overview

Typical boilermaker jobs involve assembling, installing and repairing boilers, vats and other huge vessels. Boilers contain pressurised and liquid gases used in several industries. These are responsible for supplying steam to direct turbines in electric power plants and ships. Boilermaker jobs include duties to ensure that the boilers, and all of its components, are in top condition and functioning at an optimal level.

Boilermaker Daily Duties

Boilermakers perform regular inspection and maintenance of boilers. They also constantly update components, like burners, to enhance efficiency. Boilermaker jobs require repairing boilers that got damaged or worn. A boilermaker’s daily duties may involve taking a boiler apart and fixing it, strengthening joints or using metal pieces to patch any weak spot.

Boilermaker jobs can be physically demanding and even dangerous at times. Some boilers are as tall as 10 storeys high, and boilermakers sometimes work in such heights on riggings or scaffolds. Boilermakers are required to be strong and to be in great physical condition since the nature of the job entails physical strength.

Boilermaker jobs usually involve exposure to loud noise, extreme weather conditions and uncomfortable working spaces.

Boilermakers are generally require to:

• Study specifications and/or drawings in order to determine particular job requirements
• Select, prepare and clean equipments, metal stocks and fabrication tools
• Perform quality evaluation for fabricated parts
• Install and assemble different metal components by soldering, welding, bolting, brazing or riveting
• Apply finishing on products by filing, polishing, cleaning or soaking them with acidic solutions
• Cut, shape, spin, roll, hammer, bend, mould or heat metal products for fabrication of parts
• Operate or set up spinning lathes to be able to spin a particular shaped article from structural metal or sheet
• Fabricate, plan or layout mould templates or patterns to produce articles or metal castings

Types of Boilermaker Jobs

Listed below are the different specialisations of a boilermaker:

• Boilermaker
• Structural-Steel Trades Person
• Brass Finisher
• Template Maker
• Metal Fabricator-Welder
• Boilermaker-Welder

Boilermaker Wages

Once qualified and following completion of the relevant apprenticeship, the average wage of boilermakers is $58,000. This may vary depending on experience, company, industry, benefits and location. The average boilermaker wage is typically influenced by job demand. Salaries could go higher for offshore employment opportunities. For experienced boilermakers who have sufficient skill, experience and capital can purchase their own equipment and start their own company.

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