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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7214

Structural ironworker

A structural ironworker is a person who installs iron and steel elements in construction work. They set out and tie the reinforcing bars that form the skeleton inside concrete, and they erect the steel supporting structures of buildings, bridges and other construction projects.

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Rate 5 of the 22 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

apply arc welding techniques

spot metal imperfections

apply spot welding techniques

inspect construction supplies

align components

About structural ironworker

The work starts with the reinforcement drawing. A structural ironworker reads it, works out where each bar belongs, then places and ties the bars so that nothing shifts when concrete is poured. Before any of it goes into the structure they inspect the construction materials: the grade of steel, the diameter and condition of bars and sections, and whether anything has been damaged in storage. They work with hand riveting tools, choose the right saw blade for the metal being cut, and use metal joining technologies, from welding to mechanical fasteners and tying wire.

Work happens on site and in sequence with other trades: the reinforcement has to be finished and checked before the concrete arrives. Health and safety procedures in construction apply throughout, and ergonomic working methods matter when lifting and carrying bars and sections.

The trade rests on knowing types of metal and on reading drawings accurately. Someone starting out helps place and tie bars under an experienced ironworker, learning how a cage goes together before taking on structural steel. Formal requirements are set by national construction rules and by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (22)

metal joining technologiesmetal joining technologiesThe various technologies used for the joining and assembling of fabricated metal workpieces.types of metaltypes of metalQualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.types of sawing bladestypes of sawing bladesTypes 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 conductivitymetal thermal conductivityThe property of metals to conduct heat.rivet typesrivet typesThe 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.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.apply arc welding techniquesapply arc welding techniquesApply 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, flux-cored arc welding, and others.spot metal imperfectionsspot metal imperfectionsObserve 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, fracture...apply spot welding techniquesapply spot welding techniquesApply 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, concent...inspect construction suppliesinspect construction suppliesCheck construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.align componentsalign componentsAlign and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.operate rust proofing spray gunoperate rust proofing spray gunOperate 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 equipmentoperate handheld riveting equipmentOperate 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 constructionfollow health and safety procedures in constructionApply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.remove rust from motor vehiclesremove rust from motor vehiclesWash the surface of the chrome to remove the dirt by using sponge. Scrape the rust off from the more difficult areas using an abrasive material such as steel wool. Apply chrome polish to buff out mino...interpret 3D plansinterpret 3D plansInterpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.use safety equipment in constructionuse safety equipment in constructionUse 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 do...interpret 2D plansinterpret 2D plansInterpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.tie reinforcing steeltie reinforcing steelTie 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 ...tend metal sawing machinetend metal sawing machineTend sawing machine designed for metal cutting processes, monitor and operate it, according to regulations.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake 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...set up reinforcing steelset up reinforcing steelSet 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 ...
Optional (26) — show
cutting technologiescutting technologiesThe variety of cutting technologies, such as software or mechanics, guiding cutting processes through lasering, sawing, milling etc.metal smoothing technologiesmetal smoothing technologiesThe various technologies used for the smoothening, polishing and buffing of fabricated metal workpieces.prepare pieces for joiningprepare pieces for joiningPrepare 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 planeroperate manual planerOperate a non-automatic or semi-automatic, manual planer for cutting workpiece surfaces, making them levelled.apply thermite welding techniquesapply thermite welding techniquesWeld using equipment that operates based on an exothermic reaction fuelled by thermite.apply brazing techniquesapply brazing techniquesApply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of brazing, such as torch brazing, braze welding, dip brazing, and others.rig loadsrig loadsSafely 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 materi...transport construction suppliestransport construction suppliesBring 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 teamwork in a construction teamWork 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 ma...manipulate glassmanipulate glassManipulate the properties, shape and size of glass.ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.monitor automated machinesmonitor automated machinesContinuously 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...replace defect componentsreplace defect componentsRemove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.operate oxy-fuel cutting torchoperate oxy-fuel cutting torchOperate a cutting torch fueled by oxyacetylene gas safely to perform cutting processes on a workpiece.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.process incoming construction suppliesprocess incoming construction suppliesReceive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.tend metal planertend metal planerTend 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 corrosionrecognise signs of corrosionRecognise 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 controllerprogram a CNC controllerSet up the desired product design in the CNC controller of the CNC machine for product manufacturing.set windowset windowPlace 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 progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.guide operation of heavy construction equipmentguide operation of heavy construction equipmentGuide 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,...guide cranesguide cranesGuide 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 efficie...tend riveting machinetend riveting machineTend 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 infrastructureset up temporary construction site infrastructureSet 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 sup...operate soldering equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

sheet metal worker16 shared essential skillsstructural ironwork supervisor11 shared essential skillswelder8 shared essential skillsbricklayer7 shared essential skillsconstruction painter7 shared essential skillsconstruction scaffolder7 shared essential skillsinsulation worker7 shared essential skillsrigger7 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a structural ironworker do?

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.

What skills does a structural ironworker need?

A structural ironworker needs 22 essential skills, including metal joining technologies, types of metal, types of sawing blades, metal thermal conductivity, rivet types.

Will AI replace structural ironworker jobs?

The AI disruption score for structural ironworker is 26/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, monitor automated machines, keep records of work progress. Most resilient: use safety equipment in construction, operate handheld riveting equipment, remove rust from motor vehicles.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupMetal, machinery and related trades workers
Essential Skills22

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