Examples

• Level 1 read brief memos and notes. For example, they read cutting and placement instructions on drawings. They read instructions for travel to job sites and descriptions of equipment, tools and supplies to take with them. They read notes on jobsite bulletins boards to learn about upcoming meetings and health and safety issues such as the location of hazardous areas.
• Level 2 read comments in job safety inspection reports to learn about jobsite hazards and avoid unsafe conditions.
• Level 2 read bulletins from their employers and unions. For example, they scan bulletins to understand and apply new procedures for fall protection, accident reporting and scaffolding installation.
• Level 3 read their organizations' health and safety policies to be familiar with safety standards and job task procedures.
• Level 3 read collective agreements to learn about topics such as grievance procedures, pay rates, travel reimbursements and hours of work.
• Level 3 read trade publications and union newsletters to learn about training opportunities and new products. For example, they may read articles about new tie off techniques and recent accidents in magazines such as Trade Talks and The Ironworker. They read about training courses and the benefits of training in union newsletters.

Examples

• Level 1 locate data on signs and labels. For example, they locate material codes and placement coordinates from stamps on steel structures. They scan safety signs for hazard icons. They observe warning signs for overhead wires, crane operations, high voltages and through traffic.
• Level 2 locate material, hazard and safety information in Material Safety Data Sheets to understand hazardous products located in work areas.
• Level 2 locate data in tables and lists. For example, they locate beam weights and sling and bolt sizes in specification tables. They locate bolt and beam codes in material lists. They locate details about supplies and tools needed for particular jobs in job lists.
• Level 2 may complete forms and checklists. For example, they enter names, hours, and job codes into daily timesheets. They enter job site locations, measurement data and outstanding defects and nonconformities in inspection sheets. They add checkmarks to indicate inspections were performed. They complete accident-incident reporting forms.
• Level 3 review assembly drawings to locate assembly sequences for columns, beams, reinforced structures and decorative steel to verify the order and size when loading onto crane chokers.
• Level 3 locate dimensions and other features on construction drawings. For example, they locate dimensions and angles on drawings. They may examine drawings to understand the construction sequence of steel and steel reinforced structures.

Examples

• Level 1 write brief notes and comments. For example, they write notes in their daily logbook to record job instructions provided by their supervisors. They write notes on drawings to describe inconsistencies in measurements to create records for their supervisors.
• Level 2 may write descriptions and explanations on forms. For example, they describe safety concerns such as unmarked open areas and frayed cables on connectors in safety inspection forms to create records for their supervisors. They complete incident-accident forms to describe accidents, injuries incurred and required follow-up actions.

Examples

• Level 1 take measurements using rulers, tapes, angle finders, sliding squares and combination squares. For example, they measure the lengths, widths and heights and placement angles of columns, beams, curtain walls, trusses and rebar for reinforced concrete.
• Level 1 compare measurements to specified dimensions to ensure steel columns, beams, wiring and fabricated and reinforced structures are correctly fabricated and installed.
• Level 1 estimate supply quantities such as bolts, welding rods and extension cords they require to complete installations. They consider the number of structural pieces to install and distances from power and supply sources.
• Level 2 estimate times required to complete tasks such as cutting and installing rebar, and inspecting and welding columns and beams. They consider previous times, the complexity of tasks and the availability of ironworkers.
• Level 2 estimate the weights of materials. For example, they estimate the weight of loads using factors such as weight per foot and length as factors. They use these estimations to determine sling sizes.
• Level 3 calculate distances and angles when placing structural steel and rebar. For example, they may calculate the spacing of supports and reinforcing bars. They total lengths and widths to ensure the supports and reinforcing bars are evenly placed. They calculate distances and angles to lay out materials for cutting and fabrication.

Examples

• Level 2 participate in toolbox meetings to learn about their assignments, job site safety and special instructions.
• Level 2 chat about work with supervisors, co-workers and other trade workers throughout the day. For example, they discuss work locations, job assignments, required tools, measurement locations and supplies with co-workers and supervisors. They speak with other trade workers to organize access to work space.
• Level 3 may give instructions and provide guidance to apprentices and junior ironworkers. They discuss installation sequences and techniques. They outline the selection of tools and supplies for different types of jobs and how and where to tie off on structures and discuss reasons for these choices.
• Level 3 interact with supervisors and co-workers to coordinate work during hazardous activities. For example, they maintain ongoing discussions with crane operators, other erectors and supervisors when connecting, hoisting and installing steel and steel reinforced structures. Their communications are brief but clear to ensure safety and efficiency.

Examples

• Level 1 find that they do not have the necessary tools. They may ask other workers to bring them and complete other work while waiting. They inform supervisors of delays and changes in work locations.
• Level 2 find that they are unable to move materials and equipment to jobsites because of physical obstructions. For example, building erectors may find that steel structures cannot fit through building openings. They speak with their supervisors and other ironworkers to discuss options such as disassembly.
• Level 2 are unable to continue constructions because they encounter discrepancies between dimensions marked in drawings and measurements of existing structures. They inform their supervisors about the errors and receive instructions before continuing their work.
• Level 3 find faults in materials and supplies which prevent them from continuing their work. For example, ironworkers cannot match up drilled boltholes and find that beams and columns have been cut incorrectly. If discrepancies are small they may loosen bolts on other beams and columns to align boltholes and cut materials to fit. For larger errors, they inform their supervisors and seek advice before continuing. Rod workers may find faulty rod installations and damage to existing rebar structures. If possible, they add support braces and continue work. For more extensive faults and damage, they seek supervisors' advice before resuming.

Examples

• Level 2 select tools and supplies to take to job sites. They are guided by the nature of the jobs but other factors such as weights and sizes of tools and locations of additional supplies are critical factors.
• Level 2 decide to stop work when they feel work areas are unsafe. They speak with their supervisors about their concerns, discuss options to make areas safe and carry out alternate activities until concerns are resolved. For example, they may choose not to work in areas where loaded cranes are working.
• Level 3 choose methods and tools for fabrication jobs of varying types and sizes. They are guided by safety specifications and experiences with similar situations. Other factors such as crane limitations, working temperatures, dimensions of structures being installed and existing built structures are critical factors in their choices. For example, ironworkers choose to loosen bolts on ground floor columns while tightening cables on others to straighten beams and columns several floors up.

Examples

• Level 2 judge the safety of job sites and equipment throughout their shifts. They inspect work sites and equipment using standard safety criteria. They inspect work areas for proper marking of hazards and the correct placement and set-up of equipment. They visually inspect items such as safety ropes, harnesses and tools for wear. They compare operating readings to specifications.
• Level 2 evaluate the quality of materials such as steel beams, columns, rods, decorative iron, curtain walls and concrete reinforced materials. They compare dimensions to specifications and visually inspect the fit between parts and the overall finish of structures.
• Level 2 assess the efficiency and suitability of installation sequences. They consider the effects installation of materials will have on access for subsequent installations. They speak with their work teams and other trade workers for details about their tasks and activities. They may make recommendations for modifications to installation procedures.

Examples

• remember instructions from supervisors and job details such as bolt sizes, weld depths and cut angles.
• remember details of successful sequences of operations. For example, they remember the order of tasks for hoisting structural ironwork and steel supplies and bringing steel structures and concrete reinforcing material measurements within specifications.

Examples

• Level 2 find information for installations and fabrication jobs by reviewing construction drawings and speaking with their supervisors.

Physical Aspects

Ironworkers must stand, bend and crouch in confined spaces and at heights on open structures to hoist, manoeuvre, install and inspect steel and steel reinforced structures. They use upper and lower limb coordination to manoeuvre and install steel materials and operate tools. They use heavy strength to move and place large structural and decorative ironwork, concrete reinforcing materials and curtain walls. It is important for ironworkers to have strong spatial awareness, good hearing, eyesight and sense of balance to remain safe while installing and inspecting ironwork structures and other materials.

Attitudes

Ironworkers must be patient, meticulous, conscientious and detail-oriented to ensure they and others around them remain safe.

Future Trends Affecting Essential Skills

The essential skills needed by ironworkers will be affected by changing technology and rising safety and environmental standards. In the construction industry, the trend to higher safety and environmental standards and the consequent requirement for accountability will increase the need for better reading and document use skills. The use of survey measuring tools such as transits for locating and positioning steel components will increase the need for numeracy skills and document use.