Ironworker Career | Steel Fabrication | Steel Jobs
Ironworker Jobs - What is the Job of Ironworkers? What does a Steel Worker Job Involve?
Ironworkers and steel workers are responsible for installing iron and steel girders and columns in order to form the support structure for buildings, bridges, and other large buildings. A steelworker job is to position steel bars and concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete that is used in major building structures such as bridges, tunnels, and highways.
Steel is primarily used for most of the industrial structures, however, these workers are more frequently known as iron workers, and their work may include fabricating pieces at a metalworking shop although most ironworkers do their work on the job.
Before a steelworker starts constructing a large piece of infrastructure, a iron worker will assemble all the materials and equipment which can include cranes, derricks, steel reinforcing bars, concrete, and scaffolding.
After having done this, a steel worker will then erect steel frames and begin to connect steel beams and girders by welding reinforcing rods to the structure. Iron workers will also help position large steel objects using cables, which are then attached to a crane. A crane operator will hoist the large steel girders into place and ironworkers will then use connectors in order to connect pieces of steel together. Steel workers will then use plumb bobs to make sure that the alignment is correct, using bolts or welds in order to make sure that the steel beams stay in place.
Iron and rebar workers will place rebar into concrete forms, with rebar having the function of increasing the strength of concrete, preventing it from cracking. Iron workers may have to cut rebar beams using metal shears or acetylene torches, sometimes welding wire fabric for special projects. Tension cables can also be used in projects such as bridges where steel cables are substituted for rebar.
The cables are then tightened by being attached to another part of the bridge, and then they are jacked tight. This cable suspension technique is also used in parking garages and sports arenas.
Ornamental iron workers are responsible for installing ornamental stairs or handrails that are made out of iron or steel. Most of these iron pieces are now prefabricated for easy installation in residential and commercial buildings.
Working Conditions for Iron Workers Jobs - How is the Working Environment for Steelworkers Jobs?
Iron and steel jobs involve working outside in any type of weather, although they may have off during icy and windy conditions. An ironworker will use safety equipment such as harnesses and scaffolding in order to reduce the risk of fall.
Most iron workers will work 40 hour workweeks, with some overtime necessary in order to meet project deadlines.
Iron Worker Education - How to Become a Steel Worker - How to Receive Your Ironworker Training
Ironworker and steel worker training usually involves a four year apprenticeship program with classroom training and paid on the job experience. Unions that offer steel job apprenticeship programs include the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers and local chapters of contractor associations.
When starting as a steel worker apprentice, it is common to learn blueprint reading, rigging, reinforcing, assembling, welding, and safety. Metalworker apprentices will begin their work by moving materials on the job site, eventually graduating to rigging steel materials and then learning welding.
Nonunion iron workers will learn on the job, although most steel contractors have some form of training program.
Steel Workers Training Requirements - How to Become a Metal Worker
Steelworker jobs require an applicant to be least 18 years of age, and steel workers must have good eyesight and agility and they should not be afraid of heights. Since most steel products and rigging jobs require heavy lifting, it is necessary to be in good physical shape.
Welding certification is available from the American Welding Society, and union apprenticeship programs provide their own certification upon graduating from an approved iron worker program. With enough experience, an ironworker can be promoted to a crew supervisor, and other steel fabricators may decide to become steel contractors themselves.
Ironworker Employment - What is a Iron Worker Job?
Over the next decade, steel workers and metal worker jobs should experience employment growth of about 8%, with heavy construction in infrastructure and industrial jobs responsible for most job growth. The maintenance of aging infrastructure such as bridges, highways, and power plants is a continual source of employment for metal workers.
Job opportunities are excellent due to the amount of retiring steelworkers and fewer people entering into the trade. The working conditions of a steelworker can be tough, and many workers decide to move on to other skilled trades.
Job opportunities in an economic recession will vary with those working in commercial jobs suffering potential layoffs, while those working on local and state infrastructure such as roads and bridges suffering little job loss at all.
Metal Workers Job Pay Scale - How Much Do Steel Workers Jobs Earn?
In 2006, steel workers and iron workers had median hourly earnings of $19.46 an hour, with reinforcing rebar workers being paid $18.38 an hour.
Those steelworkers employed by residential building contractors had wages of $20.54 an hour on median, with those working in commercial metal work jobs earning much less at $16.76 an hour.
Almost a third of all steel and iron worker jobs are unionized, and these trade workers are commonly represented by the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers, with apprentices usually starting out and about 50% of the pay of experienced steel journeyman.
Steel workers employed in New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other major metropolitan areas received the highest rates of pay.