Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads.
Duties
Ironworkers typically do the following:
Read and follow blueprints, sketches, and other instructions
Unload and stack prefabricated iron and steel so that it can be lifted with slings
Signal crane operators who lift and position structural and reinforcing iron and steel
Use shears, rod-bending machines, and welding equipment to cut, bend, and weld the structural and reinforcing iron and steel
Align structural and reinforcing iron and steel vertically and horizontally, using tag lines, plumb bobs, lasers, and levels
Connect iron and steel with bolts, wire, or welds
Structural and reinforcing iron and steel are important components of buildings, bridges, roads, and other structures. Even though the primary metal involved in this work is steel, workers often are known as ironworkers or erectors. Although most of the work involves erecting new structures, some ironworkers may also help in the demolition, decommissioning, and rehabilitation of older buildings and bridges.
When building tall structures such as skyscrapers, structural iron and steel workers erect steel frames and assemble the cranes and derricks that move materials and equipment around the construction site. Workers connect precut steel columns, beams, and girders, using equipment such as spud wrenches and driftpins. A few ironworkers install precast walls or work with wood or composite materials.
Reinforcing iron and rebar workers use one of three different materials to support concrete:
Reinforcing steel (rebar) is used to strengthen the concrete that forms highways, buildings, bridges, and other structures. These workers are sometimes called rod busters, in reference to rods of rebar.
Cables are used to reinforce concrete by pre- or post-tensioning. These techniques allow designers to create larger open areas in a building because supports can be placed farther apart. As a result, pre- and post-tensioning are commonly used to construct arenas, concrete bridges, and parking garages.
Welded wire reinforcing (WWR) is also used to strengthen concrete. This reinforcing is made up of narrow-diameter rods or wire welded into a grid.
Some ironworkers are assemblers and fabricators. They fabricate metal in shops, which are usually located away from the construction site.
