Shapes bars, rods and blocks of metal by heating and hammering to produce and repair metal articles.

Selects metal stock for job requirements; heats metal in forges and furnaces and hammers, punches and cuts metal using hand tools and machine presses; tempers and hardens finished articles by quenching in oil or water baths or by cooling gradually in air; prepares electrolytic and silver solutions for electroforming and planting solution to the objects to be coated; sets and adjusts controls to regulate electric current and depositing of coating on objects; prepares horses hooves for shoeing, nails horseshoes to hooves and trims hooves; cuts, trims, shapes and smoothes stock to form mould patterns; fills boxes with sand and sets patterns in place and pours molten metal into moulds, applies refractory paint and positions cores in moulds; finishes metal and articles by polishing and buffing and applying shellac, lacquer, paint and other finishes.

• Works indoors and need good ventilation to disperse the heat from a small furnace or forge, as constantly working with red hot metal.
• Worksites may be dirty and noisy.
• Blacksmiths will use a variety of personal protective equipment including ear, eye and foot protection; safety footwear, blacksmith’s apron and gloves.

• The physical demand is medium to very heavy.
• Standing is constantly required, frequently on concrete floors. Walking about workshop is frequently required. Sitting is not required.
• Stretching up or across is likely to be necessary on an occasional basis. Squatting, crouching or kneeling may be necessary on an occasional basis. Twisting of the body or neck is frequently required. Lifting and carrying is constantly required, and bending is frequently required.
• Repetitive movements are frequently required especially in the use of hands and arms for holding tools and metal with tongs and other specialised equipment.
• Driving is not required.
• Employees use a wide range blacksmithing and general engineering hand, power and machine tools and equipment including forges or furnaces, anvils, tongs, files, hammers, wedges and other metal shaping tools as well as grinding equipment.
• Mental skills necessary include metal-handling, practical, problem-solving and organisational skills.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

There are few opportunities for flexibility of movement.