Structural Iron / Steel Worker

Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Field Iron Worker; Iron Worker; Ironworker; Steel Erector; Steel Fabricator; Steel Worker; Structural Erector; Structural Steel Erector; Tower Hand; Union Ironworker

Tasks

• Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
• Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
• Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.
• Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
• Assemble or inspect hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.
• Lift steel beams, girders, or columns using cranes or forklifts, or by signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift or position structural steel members.
• Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.
• Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
• Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.
• Unload and position prefabricated steel units for hoisting, as needed.
• Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
• Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.
• Force structural steel members into final positions, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, or hand tools.
• Ride on girders or other structural steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position.
• Drive drift pins through rivet holes to align rivet holes in structural steel members with corresponding holes in previously placed members.

Knowledge

• Building and Construction
• Public Safety and Security
• Production and Processing
• Mechanical
• Administration and Management
• Customer and Personal Service
• Design
• Engineering and Technology
• Mathematics

Skills

• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Visualization
• Multilimb Coordination
• Near Vision
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Control Precision
• Static Strength
• Trunk Strength
• Gross Body Equilibrium
• Depth Perception
• Problem Sensitivity
• Far Vision
• Selective Attention
• Finger Dexterity
• Reaction Time
• Stamina
• Extent Flexibility
• Rate Control
• Dynamic Strength
• Response Orientation
• Oral Comprehension
• Information Ordering
• Gross Body Coordination
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Category Flexibility
• Perceptual Speed
• Glare Sensitivity
• Hearing Sensitivity
• Auditory Attention
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity