13/02/2026
Did you know that the Iron Working Industry is made up of these five subcategories? Structural, Reinforcing, Ornamental, Rigging and Machinery Movers, and Welding and Burning. Some Local Unions specialize in certain aspects of the trade. Local Union 380 is a mixed Local Union that performs all parts of the trade.
Structural Ironworkers
• Unload, erect, and connect fabricated iron to form the project skeleton.
• Work primarily on industrial, commercial and large residential buildings.
• Build towers, bridges, stadiums, wind turbines, and prefabricated metal buildings
• Erect and install pre-cast beams, columns, and panels.
Reinforcing Ironworkers
• Fabricate and place reinforcing bars (rebar) in concrete forms to reinforce structures.
• Place rebar on appropriate supports and tie them together with tie wire.
• Install post-tensioning tendons (cables) to place in concrete forms along reinforcing steel.
• Stress the tendons using hydraulic jacks and pumps after the concrete is poured and hardened
Ornamental (Architectural) Ironworkers
• Install metal windows into a building's masonry or wooden openings.
• Erect curtain wall and window wall systems that cover the steel or reinforced concrete structure of a building.
• Install and erect metal stairways, catwalks, gratings, doors, railings, fencing, elevator fronts and building entrances.
Rigging and Machinery Moving Ironworkers
• Load, unload, move and set machinery, structural steel and curtain walls.
• Operate power hoists, cranes, derricks, forklifts and aerial lifts.
• Have knowledge of fiber line, wire rope, hoisting equipment and proper hand signals.
Welding and Burning Ironworkers
Welding and burning equipment are considered tools of the trade and performed by structural, reinforcing, ornamental and rigging ironworkers to secure their work to the structure. Ironworkers can be tested to be designated a certified welder.
