Bill,
I guess the answer would be,who's asking. "Welder-One who performs manual or semiautomatic welding. Welding Operator-One who operates adaptive control, automatic, mechanized, or robotic welding equipment." I was told once if the welding gun is not in the hands of the person performing the "ACT" of welding, then they are in-fact, WELDING OPERATORS. I've used that thought so far.