Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Reinforcing iron and rebar workers position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete. They use a variety of fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools. This includes rod busters.
Reinforcing iron and rebar workers are skilled trades-people who use iron, wire mesh, steel bars (called rebar), or cables to strengthen concrete for highways, buildings, and bridges. They must be able to carry, bend, cut, and connect rebar quickly to help keep projects on schedule.
The rebar detailing work from home requires them to estimate the quantity, size, and shape of reinforcing rods; determine where to place rebar; position and secure rods, cables, or rebar in concrete forms; prepare rebar and mesh for installation using tools; bend or weld rebars together; install cables, and tie wire around rods using pliers to fasten them together. They read blueprints or sketches to determine how to install rebar.
A high school diploma is a sufficient qualification for this job, though some candidates may enrol into apprenticeship programs and get informal practical training from senior workers. Math classes and vocational classes such as welding and blueprint reading can provide a good foundation.
Reinforcing job is mostly done outdoors and at great heights. Building rebar works is physically demanding and can take a toll on a person’s body. Falls from ladders and scaffolds, cuts from sharp metal, and burns are common, and workers may wear personal protection equipment on the job.
For success in a rebaring work, one needs to have physical strength and stamina, hand-eye coordination, comfort working at great heights, and balance.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Training and Certificate Apprenticeship in Technical Instruction
Tasks
- Position and secure steel bars, rods, cables, or mesh in concrete forms, using fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, or hand tools.
- Space and fasten together rods in forms according to blueprints, using wire and pliers.
- Determine quantities, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions.
- Place blocks under rebar to hold the bars off the deck when reinforcing floors.
- Cut rods to required lengths, using metal shears, hacksaws, bar cutters, or acetylene torches.
- 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.
Progression Routes
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