Job Description & Requirements
What does an Ironworker do?
- Ironworkers are responsible for laying out and fabricating structural steel and sheet metal in order to build metal structures like bridges, stadiums, and other structural buildings. They weld and cut steel, interpret blueprints, and work with concrete reinforcing steel bars. Ironworkers also do architectural and ornamental work like glass windows, stairs, and handrails.
What is physically required to be an Ironworker?
- In an average workday an Ironworker will do the following:
- Lift- be able to lift 5-50+ pounds from the ground to overhead or side to side
- Carry- be able to carry materials on shoulder on back to locations on site
- Push or Pull- be able to push or pull materials into position
- Climb- be able to climb up rebar walls, tower cranes, ladders, and structural columns at a height of 40 ft or higher
- Kneel- be able to kneel down on concrete floors
- Crawl- be able to crawl on hands and knees for welding and finishing rebar work
- Bend or Stoop- be able to maneuver for rebar tying and miscellaneous work
- Body Positions- be able to hold materials above head for extended periods, lay on stomach or back for welding and other miscellaneous work
- Strong Grip- be able to apply a strong grip for grabbing and rigging up materials
- Balance and Coordination- be able to balance and walk across beams at 500ft off the ground
- Hearing- be able to hear calls on the site from flaggers and riggers.
- Strong Speaking Voice- be able to make calls on the site to flaggers and riggers.
- Good Sight and Depth Perception- be able to see materials and how far they are
- Strong Lungs- be able to handle some smoke or dust on the job site
An Ironworker must be able to preform any and/or all of the above listed activities in order to obtain employment at this trade. These are the most basic tasks that an Ironworker must be able to perform. Each job site is different so other situations may require additional physical requirements
