Structural ironworker

Structural ironworker in construction install iron elements into structures. They erect steel frameworks for buildings, bridges and other construction projects. They set metal rods, or rebar, to form reinforced concrete.

The following job titles also refer to structural ironworker:

structural iron and steel worker
structural steel fitters
steel fitters
rebar workers
steel erector
structural steel erector

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a structural ironworker.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Structural ironworker is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to structural ironworker.

sheet metal worker
rigger
construction scaffolder
tower crane operator
mobile crane operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of structural ironworker. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of structural ironworker with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

structural ironwork supervisor
crane crew supervisor
construction scaffolding supervisor
water conservation technician supervisor
construction painting supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of structural ironworker.

• Metal joining technologies: The various technologies used for the joining and assembling of fabricated metal workpieces.
• Types of metal: Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.
• Types of sawing blades: Types of cutting blades used in the sawing process, such as band saw blades, crosscut blades, plytooth blades and others, made from tool steel, carbide, diamond or other materials.
• Metal thermal conductivity: The property of metals to conduct heat.
• Rivet types: The various types of rivets used in manufacturing, such as solid head rivets, blind rivets, drive rivets, semi-tubular rivets, oscar rivets, flush rivets, and others.

These skills are necessary for the role of structural ironworker.

• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Apply arc welding techniques: Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of arc welding, such as shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arc welding and flux-cored arc welding.
• Spot metal imperfections: Observe and identify various kinds of imperfections in metal workpieces or finished products. Recognise the best fitted manner of fixing the problem, which could be caused by corrosion, rust, fractures, leaks, and other signs of wear.
• Apply spot welding techniques: Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of welding metal workpieces under pressure exercised by electrodes, such as projection welding, radius style electrodes spot welding and eccentric electrodes spot welding.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Align components: Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
• Operate rust proofing spray gun: Operate a semi-automatic or handheld spray gun designed to provide the surface of a workpiece with a permanent, corrosion-protective finishing coat, safely and according to regulations.
• Operate handheld riveting equipment: Operate various kinds of tools and equipment used in riveting processes, such a pin hammer and a rivet set, handheld squeezers, a hammer and bucking bar, a pneumatic hammer, a rivet gun, and others.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Remove rust from motor vehicles: Remove corrosion from surfaces of motor vehicle bodies.
• Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
• Tie reinforcing steel: Tie together bars of reinforced steel or rebar to ensure stability of the structure before concrete is poured. Use metal wire to tie the bars together at every second, third or fourth intersection as required. Use the standard flat tie or more advances ties such as saddle ties and figure 8 ties to support heavier loads such as workers standing or climbing on the rebar structure.
• Tend metal sawing machine: Tend sawing machine designed for metal cutting processes, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
• Set up reinforcing steel: Set up reinforcing steel, or rebar, to be used for reinforced concrete construction. Set mats and columns securely in place to prepare for concrete pouring. Use separator blocks called dobies to keep the construction from the ground.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of structural ironworker. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Cutting technologies: The variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.
• Metal smoothing technologies: The various technologies used for the smoothening, polishing and buffing of fabricated metal workpieces.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of structural ironworker. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Prepare pieces for joining: Prepare metal or other material workpieces for joining processes by cleaning the workpieces, checking their measurements with the technical plan and marking on the pieces where they’ll be joined.
• Operate manual planer: Operate a non-automatic or semi-automatic, manual planer for cutting workpiece surfaces, making them levelled.
• Apply thermite welding techniques: Weld using equipment that operates based on an exothermic reaction fuelled by thermite.
• Apply brazing techniques: Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of brazing, such as torch brazing, braze welding and dip brazing.
• Rig loads: Safely attach loads to different types of hooks and attachments, taking into account the weight of the load, the power available to move it, static and dynamic tolerances of all instruments and materials, and the mass distribution of the system. Communicate with the operator verbally or with gestures to ensure the safety and efficiency of the operation. Detach loads.
• Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Manipulate glass: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of glass.
• Ensure equipment availability: Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
• Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
• Replace defect components: Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
• Operate oxy-fuel cutting torch: Operate a cutting torch fueled by oxyacetylene gas safely to perform cutting processes on a workpiece.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Tend metal planer: Tend a planer machine designed to cut excess material from a workpiece in order to create a flat surface, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
• Recognise signs of corrosion: Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
• Program a CNC controller: Set up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.
• Set window: Place a window in a prepared position such as a wall or floor, in case of full height glass. Use measurement tools to ascertain that the window is straight and plumb.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Guide operation of heavy construction equipment: Guide a colleague in operating a piece of heavy construction equipment. Follow the operation closely and understand when feedback is called for. Use communication techniques like voice, two-way radio, agreed-upon gestures and whistles to signal the appropriate information to the operator.
• Guide cranes: Guide a crane operator in operating the crane. Stay in contact with the operator visually, vocally, or using communication equipment to make sure the crane operation is completed in a safe and efficient manner.
• Tend riveting machine: Tend a metalworking machine designed to join metal pieces by automatically shooting mechanical fasteners, rivets, into them, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
• Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.
• Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.

7214 – Structural-metal preparers and erectors

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References

1. Structural ironworker – ESCO