Metal fabricators work mostly in engineering workshops, but may also work in railway or shipyards, or other industrial areas like factories, power stations or even mining operations. Conditions are often dirty, hot, dusty and loud. Metal fabricators are often required to work in cramped areas, and because they may be required to work above, alongside or below a particular structure their work may be awkward. They generally work regular business hours, but depending on their workload or nature of particular projects they may need to work long or odd hours.

Metal Fabricators work with hand tools, flame cutting torches or a guillotine to cut metal and grinders, hammers and cutting torches to remove irregular edges. These workers also use machining tools such as vices, rolling machines, and hydraulic presses to bend and shape components that are to be assembled by welding, bolting or riveting. They may also use industrial measuring equipment, and are usually required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as overalls, steel-capped boots, safety glasses and welding masks. Some metal fabricators may also use computers and computer-aided design (CAD) software.