WHAT DOES AN IRONWORKER DO?

Updated: Dec 08, 2025 - The Ironworker sets up and operates hoisting equipment to lift, guide, and position structural steel members using rigging techniques and hand tools. This position aligns, bolts, cuts, and welds steel components while ensuring proper placement, measurements, and structural integrity according to safety standards. The Ironworker also assists with material handling, equipment maintenance, and follows all project safety protocols with attention to detail and accuracy.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Ironworker

1. Ironworker Details

  • Blueprint Reading: Read blueprints and specifications to lay out work
  • Material Handling: Unloading and stacking steel units so each piece can be hoisted
  • Equipment Installation: Erecting and installing scaffolding, construction cranes, derricks and other hoisting equipment
  • Rigging Assembly: Assembling rigging (cables, pulleys, hooks) to move heavy equipment and materials
  • Crane Signaling: Attaching cables from a crane or derrick and directing crane operators with hand signals or radios
  • Steel Positioning: Position steel units, align holes and insert fastening systems
  • Alignment Inspection: Check the alignments and join steel parts by bolting or welding them with an electric arc process
  • Structure Assembly: Assemble and erect pre-fabricated metal structures
  • Metalwork Installation: Install ornamental and other structural metalwork such as curtain walls, metal stairways, railings and power doors

2. Ironworker Responsibilities

  • Delivery Verification: Checking in truck deliveries against the bill of lading when the load arrives
  • Inventory Counting: Counting bars and bundles of rebar, dobies, and wire mesh
  • Equipment Direction: Directing the forklift/crane to unload the delivery truck
  • Rebar Distribution: Shaking out rebar and distributing/organizing accordingly
  • Rebar Tying: Using pliers to tie rebar intersections with tie wire
  • Rebar Splicing: Splicing mats or rebar sections together with short rebar dowels
  • Metal Cutting: Cutting excess rebar ends and miscellaneous pieces with a gas-cut saw or a cutting torch
  • Mechanical Splicing: Installing mechanical rebar splices by bolting or welding ends together
  • Safety Capping: Installing caps on vertical rebar dowels for safety
  • Rebar Installation: Installing rebar dowels into fresh concrete footings
  • Blueprint Interpretation: Determining the number, size, shape, and location of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions
  • Steel Bending: Bending steel rods with hand tools or a rod-bending machine
  • Ornamental Installation: Installing prefabricated ornamental ironwork
  • Component Installation: Installing loose components for the Nacelle, hub, and tower preparation
  • Crane Assembly: Involved with the main erection crane assembly and teardown

3. Ironworker Responsibilities Ironworker Functions

  • Hoisting Setup: Sets up hoisting equipment, raising and placing structural steel members, with basic rigging knowledge for raising and placing structural steel members
  • Cable Fastening: Fastens steel members to the cable of the hoist, using chain, cable, or rope
  • Signal Operation: Signals the worker operating hoisting equipment to lift and place steel members
  • Member Guiding: Guides the member, using the tag line to guide it into position
  • Position Adjustment: Pulls, pushes, or pries steel members into approximate position while the member is supported by a hoisting device
  • Final Positioning: Forces members into final position, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, and hand tools
  • Bolt Alignment: Aligns bolt holes in steel member using drift pins or spud wrenches
  • Alignment Verification: Verifies vertical and horizontal alignment of members using a plumb bob and a level

4. Ironworker Overview

  • Temporary Bolting: Bolts align members to keep them in position until they can be permanently bolted or welded in place
  • Steel Modification: Cuts and welds steel members to make alterations using oxyacetylene welding equipment and supplies
  • Material Handling: Loads, transports, and unloads material, tools, equipment, and supplies
  • Installation Assistance: Assist in lifting, positioning, and securing materials and work pieces during installation
  • Tool Maintenance: Performs minor maintenance or cleaning activities of tools and equipment
  • Safety Compliance: Be responsible for observing and complying with all safety and project rules, including wearing the required personal safety equipment
  • Precision Work: Work within precise limits to standards of accuracy
  • Visual Comparison: Compare and see differences in size, shape, and form of lines, figures, and objects
  • Information Evaluation: Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

5. Ironworker Details and Accountabilities

  • Blueprint Reading: Reads specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of material required
  • Metal Fabrication: Fabricates metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors
  • Material Positioning: Unloads and positions prefabricated steel units for hoisting
  • Hoisting Operation: Hoists steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members
  • Alignment Verification: Verifies vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels
  • Steel Cutting: Cuts, bends, or welds steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment
  • Final Positioning: Forces structural steel members into final positions, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, or hand tools
  • Position Adjustment: Pulls, pushes, or pries structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place
  • Structural Bolting: Bolts aligned structural-steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place
  • Rigging Assembly: Assemble hoisting equipment or riggings, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials

6. Ironworker Role Purpose

  • Course Instruction: Instruct high-level courses to mature learners
  • Lecture Preparation: Prepare and present lectures and labs
  • Curriculum Development: Develop course outlines, profiles and curriculum
  • Program Review: Participate in curriculum and program reviews
  • Material Preparation: Prepare additional study and lab materials for learners
  • Student Evaluation: Evaluate student progress and achievement
  • Learner Support: Provide ongoing support, guidance and advice to learners
  • Industry Engagement: Maintain close contact with relevant industry sectors
  • Hoisting Supervision: Oversee lifting and hoisting operations in the yard

7. Ironworker Key Accountabilities

  • Structural Assembly: Build and install iron or steel girders, columns, and other construction materials to form buildings, bridges, and other structures
  • Rebar Installation: Cut, position, and bolt down steel bars to reinforce concrete
  • Metal Fabrication: Make, weld, and cut structural metal in fabrication shops
  • Crane Operation: Direct operation of cranes to move structural steel, reinforcing bars, and other materials onto and around the construction site
  • Steel Connection: Connect steel columns, beams, and girders
  • Steel Numbering: Number the steel according to the assembly instructions
  • Cable Attachment: Attach cables to the steel and then to the crane
  • Steel Hoisting: Hoist the steel into place in the framework

8. Ironworker Responsibilities and Key Tasks

  • Hole Alignment: Work with drift pins to align the holes in the steel with the framework holes
  • Alignment Checking: Use plumb bobs, levels, and laser equipment to check alignment
  • Rebar Placement: Set reinforcing bars into forms to hold concrete
  • Spacer Installation: Place spacers under the rebar to lift bars off the deck
  • Bar Cutting: Cut bars with metal shears and torches
  • Concrete Reinforcement: Reinforce concrete with welded wire fabric
  • Cable Tensioning: Tighten cables with jacking equipment
  • Fixture Installation: Install stairs, handrails, or curtain walls

9. Ironworker Duties and Roles

  • Value Alignment: Conduct consistent with vision and values
  • Blueprint Interpretation: Work from blueprints to position and secure steel reinforcing bars, rods, cables, or mesh using pliers, fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools
  • Girder Installation: Install girders made of iron and steel, as well as iron columns and other materials
  • Structural Assistance: Assist in the construction of bridges, buildings, and other structures
  • Active Listening: Understand the points being made, ask questions, and do not interrupt at inappropriate times
  • Drawing Comprehension: Read and understand placement drawings
  • Steel Installation: Sets and installs structural steel girders, beams, columns, and other objects to complete forms for buildings, towers, bridges, and other structures
  • Steel Operations: Performs all work related to signaling, rigging, bolting, and/or welding of structural steel
  • Material Handling: Completes tasks related to the loading and unloading of steel rebar at the site of work

10. Ironworker Additional Details

  • Steel Installation: Installs structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads
  • Steel Alignment: Aligns structural and reinforcing iron and steel vertically and horizontally, using tag lines, plumb bobs, lasers, and levels
  • Steel Connection: Connects iron and steel with bolts, wire, or welds
  • Material Stacking: Unloads and stacks prefabricated iron and steel so that it can be lifted with slings
  • Crane Coordination: Works with crane operators who lift and position structural and reinforcing iron steel
  • Value Adherence: Maintains knowledge of the Company’s values and strategic plan
  • Drawing Interpretation: Read and understand construction drawings and the concept of erecting pre-engineered and structural buildings
  • Equipment Operation: Safely operate and/or work around cranes, aerial lifts, tele-handlers, and other construction equipment
  • Safety Compliance: Use all safety and personal protective equipment for the purpose intended
  • Steel Positioning: Walk/stand on girders or other structural-steel members to position them or use a rope to guide them into position