Ironworkers

Ironworkers typically perform the following tasks: • Determine quantities, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions. • Space and fasten together rods in forms according to blueprints, using wire and pliers. • Position and secure steel bars, rods, cables, or mesh in concrete forms, using fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, or hand tools. • Cut rods to required lengths, using metal shears, hacksaws, bar cutters, or acetylene torches. • Place blocks under rebar to hold the bars off the deck when reinforcing floors. • Cut and fit wire mesh or fabric, using hooked rods, and position fabric or mesh in concrete to reinforce concrete. • Bend steel rods with hand tools or rod-bending machines and weld them with arc-welding equipment. • Unload rebar from trucks. • Use forklifts or cranes to move construction material, such as rebar.