hitsaaja

Hitsaaja, or welder in English, is a skilled tradesperson who uses heat, pressure, or both to join metal parts. Hitsaajat work with metals such as steel, aluminum, and stainless steel and are employed in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and energy sectors. The role includes fabrication, repair, and maintenance of metal structures and components.

Key duties include reading drawings and specifications, selecting welding processes (arc welding such as SMAW; MIG/MAG, TIG), preparing joints, setting up equipment, and applying filler material to create welds. They inspect weld quality, carry out testing as required by codes, and perform finishing or heat treatment when specified.

Tools and equipment include welding power sources, torches, electrodes or filler wire, shielding gas, clamps, and cutting tools. Personal protective equipment comprises a welding helmet, flame-resistant clothing, gloves, and respiratory protection. Work settings range from workshops to construction sites, sometimes in confined spaces or at heights, with emphasis on safety and fire prevention.

Training typically combines theory and hands-on practice through vocational education or apprenticeships. Certification or formal qualifications may be required depending on country and industry, along with ongoing safety and procedure training. The profession requires steady manual dexterity, good hand–eye coordination, spatial awareness, and attention to detail, as well as the ability to read measurements and blueprints.