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Structural Iron and Steel Workers Occupation Detailed Description

Structural Iron and Steel Workers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Structural Iron and Steel Workers

The main tasks and work activities of Structural Iron and Steel Workers are to review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements, verify alignment of structures or equipment, install metal structural components, position structural components. In general, for the Structural Iron and Steel Workers, operation and Control, operation Monitoring, coordination, critical Thinking and other 9 skills are required.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Structural Iron and Steel Workers jobs. 42.11% of Structural Iron and Steel Workers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 19.21% of Structural Iron and Steel Workers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
33.66%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
42.11%
Post-Secondary Certificate
19.21%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
5.02%

Tasks and Work Activities of Structural Iron and Steel Workers

  • 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.
  • Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
  • Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
  • Ride on girders or other structural steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position.
  • Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.
  • Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.
  • Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.
  • Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
  • Assemble hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.
  • Force structural steel members into final positions, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, or hand tools.
  • Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.
  • Unload and position prefabricated steel units for hoisting, as needed.
  • Drive drift pins through rivet holes to align rivet holes in structural steel members with corresponding holes in previously placed members.
  • Dismantle structures or equipment.
  • Insert sealing strips, wiring, insulating material, ladders, flanges, gauges, or valves, depending on types of structures being assembled.
  • Catch hot rivets in buckets and insert rivets in holes, using tongs.
  • Place blocks under reinforcing bars used to reinforce floors.
  • Hold rivets while riveters use air hammers to form heads on rivets.
  • Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
  • Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
  • Install metal structural components.
  • Position structural components.
  • Fabricate parts or components.
  • Weld metal components.
  • Cut metal components for installation.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
  • Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.
  • Dismantle equipment or temporary structures.
  • Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
  • Install gauges or controls.
  • Install insulation in equipment or structures.
  • Position safety or support equipment.
  • Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.
  • Signal equipment operators to indicate proper equipment positioning.

Skills and Abilities for Structural Iron and Steel Workers

  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Depth PerceptionThe ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Gross Body EquilibriumThe ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Dynamic StrengthThe ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • StaminaThe ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Rate ControlThe ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Adjustable widemouth plierse.g. Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable wrenches
  • Air compressorse.g. Air compressors
  • Blow torche.g. Blow torches
  • Bolt cutterse.g. Bolt cutters
  • Drive pinse.g. Bull pins
  • C clampse.g. C clamps
  • Punches or nail sets or driftse.g. Center punches
  • Chalk linese.g. Chalk lines
  • Cold chiselse.g. Cold chisels
  • Squarese.g. Combination squares
  • Pry barse.g. Crowbars
  • Power sawse.g. Cutoff saws
  • Sheet metal forming machinee.g. Decoilers
  • Punches or nail sets or driftse.g. Drift pins
  • Ear plugse.g. Ear plugs
  • Power drillse.g. Electric drills
  • Fire extinguisherse.g. Fire extinguishers
  • Screwdriverse.g. Flat head screwdrivers
  • Forge diee.g. Forging dies
  • Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.