Svetsarna

Svetsarna is the definite plural form in Swedish that commonly refers to welders—the workers who perform welding. The term can also be used regionally to refer to welded joints, but this article focuses on the profession. A welder operates equipment to join metal parts by applying heat, pressure, or both, creating strong, permanent joints. Welding is used in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, automotive, and maintenance.

Common welding processes include MIG/MAG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), MMA/stick (SMAW), and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW). Each method has typical applications, material compatibility, and equipment requirements. Welders must interpret technical drawings, select appropriate filler materials, and control heat input to avoid defects such as porosity, cracks, or distortion. Quality assurance may involve visual inspection and non-destructive testing.

Training and qualifications vary by country but typically include formal apprenticeship or vocational training, on-the-job experience, and certification. In Sweden and much of Europe, welder qualifications align with international standards such as ISO 9606, and structural work may require EN 1090 compliance and CE marking. Employers emphasize safety: PPE (helmet, gloves, protective clothing), ventilation, fume control, fire safety, and safe handling of molten metal.

Working conditions range from controlled shop floors to outdoor sites, often in physically demanding roles with exposure to heat, sparks, noise, and fumes. The profession remains essential to infrastructure, energy, transportation, and manufacturing sectors.