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The “glamour” of the construction trades is the Iron Worker, particularly the Structural Iron Worker. Clambering around narrow girders at dizzy heights, Iron Workers have the most dangerous jobs in the building trades, requiring great courage and skill.

Related to them in skill are the Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (Rodmen”). Click Here to go to the International Iron Workers Website.

Iron Workers work both indoors and outdoors, erecting and installing steel and iron parts in all kinds of large buildings, bridges and dams.

While structural iron, ornamental iron and reinforcing iron are three facets of the trade, a large number of workers in them often work at all three. The apprentice-training system is the same for all three.

Iron as a building material dates from about 1880, when it first began to be used in skyscraper construction. Today, iron and steel are essential parts of even small homes, and our huge production of industrial, commercial and residential buildings would be impossible without iron and steel girders, beams, trusses and other

products.

Iron as a building material dates from about 1880, when it first began to be used in skyscraper construction. Today, iron and steel are essential parts of even small homes, and our huge production of industrial, commercial and residential buildings would be impossible without iron and steel girders, beams, trusses and other products.

The men usually seen clambering about the framework of large buildings, rigging and handing large steel beams, are Structural Iron Workers. Their job is to handle and install various kinds of steel parts. First, they see that the parts are hoisted into place according to the proper order. Then they connect all the parts with bolts, line up the structure, and weld the parts together. Not all Structural Iron Workers do all these jobs on the same project. Those working outdoors do the fitting and welding. Machinery used includes derricks, cranes, hoist and welders.

Ironwork includes both the decorative kinds – stair rails, balconies, gates and balustrades – and more common kinds – metal stairways, grates, iron ladders, fire escapes, doors and cabinets. The men who install these items by welding, bolting to concrete are Ornamental Iron Workers, The term “metal” includes more than iron, however, it includes steel, brass, aluminum and bronze.

Reinforced concrete – concrete in which metal rods or mesh has been imbedded – is widely used in building construction. The concrete and the steel together have more strength than each has separately. The men who place the steel rods or mesh in concrete forms are called Reinforcing Iron Workers or “Rodmen”. Bars are placed on supports in forms and tied together. When mesh is used, the “Rodmen” measure, cut, and bend the mesh, put it in place and hammer it down.

Fence Iron Workers usually work for large contractors or for steel companies, utilities or government agencies.

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