Ironworker Structural
On-the-Job Training Guide
Ironworker Structural workers field fabricate, weld, cut, erect, and dismantle structural,
miscellaneous, and ornamental metal work. They also erect and place pre-cast
concrete, and rig and place machinery and equipment.
Training Requirements: 5400 hours (3 years) including: two 8 week and one 6 week
technical training sessions delivered by SIAST at Palliser Campus in Moose Jaw.
Journeyperson to apprentice ratio for this trade is: 1:2
The information contained in this pamphlet serves as a guide for employers and
apprentices. Apprenticeship training is mutually beneficial to both employer and
apprentice. The employers investment in training apprentices results in skilled and
certified workers. The pamphlet summarizes the tasks to be covered by the apprentice
during the on-the-job portion of apprenticeship training. An apprentice spends
approximately 85% of the apprenticeship term training on-the-job.
It is the employers or journeypersons training responsibility to supervise an
apprentices practical skills development until a satisfactory level of proficiency has
been reached.
EMPLOYER TRAINING RESPONSIBILITY
promote safety in the workplace
expose the apprentice to all appropriate tools, equipment
provide guided, hands-on practice in rigging, hoisting, and crane signals
document hours of work and work experiences
provided guided instruction setting up and dismantling various types of cranes
Employers should make every effort to expose their apprentices to work experience in
as many areas of the trade as possible.
Below, in-school instruction is listed first; suggestions to help employers assist the
apprentice to prepare for in-school training are listed next.
The content of the training components is subject to change without notice.
01/13
Level One
Safety Awareness
Safety equipment applications, maintenance and use
Safe work practices
OH&S Regulations
Fall arrest equipment
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
identifying types of personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing and describing their
applications and limitations
demonstrating the selection, use and maintenance of PPE for worksite applications
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices such as lockout/tagout, confined space
awareness and environmental
describing expected attitudes in relation to housekeeping, PPE and emergency procedures
explaining industry practices for hazard assessment and control procedures
describing the roles, responsibilities, features and practices related to the workplace hazardous
materials information system (WHMIS) program
describing the contents and importance of the OH&S Regulations
demonstrating how to apply the OH&S regulations to day-to-day work activities
describing the requirements to use and the use of fall arrest equipment
Tools and Equipment
Applications, maintenance, storage and procedures for use
Hand, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and gas tools
Leveling and alignment instruments
Explosive actuated tools
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
identifying types of hand and power tools and describing their applications and procedures for use
providing opportunities to use and maintain basic hand and power tools commonly used in the trade
providing opportunities to use and maintain power, hydraulic, pneumatic and gas tools used in
structural steel construction and fabrication
describing equipment storage and maintenance requirements
demonstrating how to sharpen drill bits and the selection and use of taps and dies
demonstrating the use of laser levels and transits to find differences in elevation, and how to perform
reverse shot calculations
providing opportunities to use various levelling instruments, including the set up and use of transits
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to using explosive actuated tools
providing instruction on safe operating procedures of explosive actuated tools
Access Equipment
Applications, limitations and procedures for use
Scaffolds and ladders
Swing stages, sky climbers, angel wings and crane man baskets
Aerial work platform (AWP) operation
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with ladders, scaffolding and AWP
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to ladders, scaffolding and AWP
identifying OH&S Regulations pertaining to all types of access equipment
describing the procedures used to erect, secure, dismantle and inspect access equipment
providing opportunities to set up and use various types of access equipment
Cranes I
Types, applications and limitations
Crane lifting operations and safety
Basic load charts
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with cranes and crane lifting operations
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to cranes and crane lifting
operations
identifying types of cranes and describing their components, characteristics and applications
discussing safety considerations for the assembly/installation of cranes such as overhead power
lines, underground services and soil/ground conditions
discussing crane positioning with regard to crane radius/swing area and headroom
introducing the apprentice to basic load charts and demonstrating how to interpret them
Hoisting, Lifting, and Rigging
Equipment applications, limitations and procedures for use
Procedures for hoisting and lifting operations
Calculations for hoisting and lifting operations
International crane hand signals
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
describing the terminology associated with hoisting, lifting and rigging
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to hoisting, lifting and rigging
identifying types of rigging equipment and accessories and describing their limitations, applications
and procedures for use
demonstrating and then having the apprentice perform calculations pertaining to rigging equipment
safe working loads and breaking strength
providing opportunities to select and install various wire rope hardware
identifying types of hoisting and lifting equipment and accessories and describing their applications
and procedures for use
describing the procedures used to inspect, maintain and store hoisting, lifting and rigging equipment
identifying types of knots, hitches and bends and describing their applications and the procedures
used to tie them
describing the procedures used to rig material/equipment for hoisting and lifting
describing the procedures used to ensure the work area is safe for hoisting and lifting operations
demonstrating how to calculate sling tension and sling angle when preparing for hoisting and lifting
describing the procedures used to determine the weight and weight distribution of loads
identifying the factors to consider when selecting rigging equipment such as weight, shape and centre
of gravity
describing the procedures used to perform a lift such as load determination, pre-lit checks and
placement of load
providing instruction on how to perform international crane hand signalling
Structural Components
Characteristics and applications
Fastening methods
Characteristics and applications of falsework
Procedures for the erection and dismantling of falsework
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with structural components
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to structural components
demonstrating how to interpret information pertaining to structural components found on drawings
and specifications
identifying types of structures and describing their characteristics
identifying structural steel shapes and describing their designations, characteristics and applications
identifying types of structural components such as secondary steel, girts and lintels and describing
their purpose
identifying fastening methods associated with structural steel and describing their characteristics,
applications and limitations
describing the procedures used to install fasteners for securing structural steel members
identifying types of falsework and describing their characteristics and applications
providing opportunities to construct and dismantle falsework
Drawing Interpretation and Work Planning
Types of drawings and their applications
Interpreting and extracting information from drawings
Preparation and use of trade related documentation
Planning and organizing work tasks
Planning and handling work materials
Effective communication practices
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with drawings
identifying types of drawings and describing their applications
identifying drawing projections and views and describing their applications
providing instruction on interpreting and extracting information from drawings
providing opportunities to read and interpret specifications and details from structural steel drawings
identifying types of trade related documentation and describing their applications and procedures for
use
describing the procedures used to prepare and complete trade related documentation
identifying sources of information relevant to work task planning
describing the procedures used to plan work tasks
describing the procedures used to organize and store tools, equipment, materials and supplies onsite
Building Erection I
Erection and partial dismantling of a structural steel structure using a crane
Interpretation of drawings
Identification of structural components
Safe worksite practices
Rigging techniques
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
having the apprentice identify structural steel members from drawings during erection operations
assisting the apprentice to select the correct rigging equipment and accessories relating to structural
steel erection
providing opportunities to apply safe rigging practices and procedures to work as a team to erect
structural steel components
providing opportunities to select and install fasteners according to application and manufacturers
specifications
Welding I
Oxy fuel equipment and accessories
Oxy-fuel cutting
Shielded metal arc welding equipment and accessories
Shielded metal arc welding procedures
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with oxy-fuel and welding equipment
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to cutting and welding procedures
identifying oxy-fuel and welding equipment and accessories and describing their applications
describing the procedures used to inspect and maintain oxy-fuel and welding equipment
demonstrating the procedures used to set up, adjust and shut down oxy-fuel equipment
providing opportunities to set up and operate oxy-fuel cutting equipment to perform cutting operations
demonstrating the procedures used to set up and adjust SMAW equipment
providing opportunities to set up and operate SMAW equipment to perform welds
describing common weld faults and procedures to prevent and correct these faults
Industrial Mathematics
Whole numbers, common and decimal fractions
Conversions and comparisons with fractions, decimals and percents
Calculations and conversions using the metric and imperial systems
Calculations for average, perimeter, area and volume
Basic problems involving common and decimal fractions
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
having the apprentice complete the online math program available on the apprenticeship website at
[Link]
ensuring the apprentice can work in both the metric and imperial systems of measurement
demonstrating how to convert between metric and imperial dimensions
providing opportunities to perform basic area, perimeter and volume calculations
Level Two
Cranes II
Crane and lifting operation terminology and safe work practices
Codes and regulations for cranes and lifting operations
Drawings, specifications; and tables and charts for crane lifting operations
Principles of leverage and their applications to cranes
Types, components, characteristics and applications for cranes
Crane assembly and on-site installation
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with hydraulic, conventional and tower cranes
identifying and describing procedures used to communicate during crane operations
identifying hydraulic, conventional and tower crane components, accessories and attachments and
describing their characteristics and applications
identifying considerations for crane assembly/installation on-site such as site hazard assessment and
crane position
describing the procedures used to assemble and set up hydraulic, conventional and tower cranes
describing the procedures used to climb/jump tower cranes
describing the procedures used to disassemble hydraulic, conventional and tower cranes, their
components, accessories and attachments
describing the procedures used to prepare hydraulic, conventional and tower cranes for transport
providing opportunities to assist with set up, placement, moving, and dismantling of hydraulic,
conventional and tower cranes
Drawing Interpretation
Specifications and details on structural steel drawings
Specifications and details on miscellaneous steel drawings
Welding symbols
Specifications and shop fabrication drawings
Ornamental drawings
Reinforcing rebar drawings
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
providing opportunities to interpret specifications and details on various structural steel drawings (site
plans, shop drawings, cut sheets)
describing the characteristics of welding symbols
providing drawings showing welding symbols and describing their relationship to the work
providing opportunities to interpret specifications and details on curtain wall drawings
providing opportunities to interpret specifications and details on drawings depicting miscellaneous
steel components, handrails, platforms, and stairs
providing opportunities to interpret drawings for curtain wall systems and associated hardware as
specified
providing opportunities to interpret drawings to fabricate miscellaneous steel, hand railings, and stairs
as specified
providing opportunities to interpret drawings to place concrete reinforcing as specified
Erection and Dismantling
Characteristics and applications of structural steel members
Erection procedures for structural steel members and components
Dismantling and removing procedures for structural steel members and components
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with structural steel erection and dismantling
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to erection and dismantling such as
temporary bracing, environmental conditions and sequence
ensuring the apprentice can select the correct tools and equipment relating to structural steel erection
and dismantling, and that these tools and equipment are used safely and correctly
asking the apprentice to identify structural steel members and describe their characteristics and
applications
assisting the apprentice to level, plumb and align structural steel members
describing the procedures used to inspect erected structural steel to ensure conformity to standards
describing the procedures used to repair, replace, dismantle and remove structural steel members
and components
Building Erection II
Erection of interior structural steel components using power rigging equipment
Power rigging equipment
Interpretation of drawings
Identification of structural components
Safe worksite practices
Rigging techniques
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
having the apprentice identify steel components from drawings
ensuring the apprentice can select the correct rigging and lifting equipment relating to structural steel
erection and dismantling, and that this equipment is used safely and correctly
providing opportunities to assist with winch installation procedures in various applications
providing opportunities to apply safe rigging practices and procedures to work as a team to erect
structural steel components
providing opportunities to select and install fasteners according to application and manufacturers
specifications
Reinforcing Rebar
Reinforcing materials and accessories
Procedures to prepare for reinforcing concrete
Installation and tying techniques
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with reinforced concrete
explaining the purpose for reinforcing concrete
explaining the forces and stresses associated with reinforced concrete such as compression, tension
shear and live and dead loads
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to reinforcing such as dowel
protection, work positioning and proper packing and carrying techniques
describing standards and identification systems relating to reinforcing steel such as grades,
diameters, colour codes and tags
identifying tools and equipment related to reinforcing and describing their applications and procedures
for use
identifying types of reinforcing materials such as welded wire mesh, tie wires and bar supports and
describing their characteristics and applications
explaining the importance of maintaining proper reinforcing clearances and tolerances for reinforcing
materials
demonstrating the various knots used to install reinforcing rebar, describing their applications and
limitations
providing opportunities to assist in installing and tying rebar for various applications
providing opportunities to assist in the installation of welded wire fabric
providing instruction on safe handling, hoisting, moving and storage of rebar
providing experience working with and handling various types of rebar (steel, epoxy coated,
composite)
providing opportunities to identify rebar grade and composition, and use code to identify various types
and sizes of rebar
Welding II
Welding and gouging equipment and accessories
Welding and gouging processes and procedures
Flux cored arc welding procedures
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with various types of welding and gouging processes
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to welding and gouging activities
identifying the various different welding processes and describing their characteristics and
applications
identifying different welding and gouging equipment, consumables and accessories and describing
their applications
demonstrating the procedures used to set up and adjust welding and gouging equipment
describing the procedures used to inspect, maintain and store welding and gouging equipment and
supplies
identifying types of welds and joint preparations used during welding operations
providing opportunities to select and set up various types of electric arc welding equipment to weld
assorted thicknesses of materials in various positions
providing opportunities to select and set up, adjust and use flux cored arc welding equipment to
perform welding operations
providing opportunities to select and set up, adjust and use carbon arc gouging equipment to perform
gouging and cutting operations
Ironworker Mathematics
Scientific numbers
Conversions and comparisons with percents, rates, ratios and proportions
Angle measurement and calculations
Calculations involving circles and partial circles
Basic geometry
Basic problems involving perimeter, area and volume
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
providing opportunities to determine weights, volumes, area, and turning radius
providing opportunities to perform trade related mathematical calculations that require the application
of basic geometric formulas such as the Pythagorean formula
if necessary, having the apprentice spend time on the online math program available on the
apprenticeship website at [Link] in order to work through any areas of difficulty
allowing the apprentice to work out worksite problems and perform calculations in both the metric and
imperial systems of measurement
continuing to provide opportunities to perform basic area, perimeter and volume calculations
Level Three
Access Equipment
Aerial work platform operations
Telefork operations
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
demonstrating the operating procedures for various types of aerial work platforms
demonstrating the operating procedures for telefork equipment
discussing the hazards and safe work practices pertaining to these types of access equipment such
as site conditions and equipment limitations
Cranes III
Terminology associated with electric overhead traveling cranes (EOT)
Communication procedures during EOT crane operations
Hazards and safe work practices for EOT cranes and EOT crane lifting operations
EOT crane components and accessories
EOT crane controls
Assembly and installation procedures for EOT cranes
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with EOT cranes
identifying and describing the procedures used to communicate during EOT crane operations
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to EOT crane and EOT crane
operations
identifying EOT crane components, accessories and attachments and describing their characteristics
and applications
identifying types of EOT controls such as cab operated, remote operated and pendant and describing
their characteristics and applications
describing the procedures used to assemble and install EOT cranes
Miscellaneous and Ornamental Ironwork
Interpretation of shop drawings
Components, characteristics and applications
Fabrication and installation procedures
Floor and roof decking procedures
Wood glulam handling and erection
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with miscellaneous and ornamental ironwork
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to miscellaneous and ornamental
ironwork
providing opportunities to interpret information used to fabricate and install miscellaneous and
ornamental ironwork found on drawings and specifications
providing opportunities to interpret drawings to install curtain wall systems and associated hardware
as specified
identifying tools and equipment relating to miscellaneous and ornamental ironwork and describing
their applications and procedures for use
describing the procedures used to fabricate and install miscellaneous and ornamental ironwork
describing the procedures used for the finishing or ornamental ironwork
describing the procedures used to repair or remove ornamental ironwork
providing opportunities to layout and fabricate jigs for special applications
providing opportunities to layout and fabricate ornamental steel projects
providing opportunities to assist in the construction, installation/assembly of various types of curtain
walls
providing opportunities to rig up and assist with the hoisting and installation of laminated wood
products such as glulam beams
Pre-engineered Structures
Interpretation of drawings specific to engineered structures
Components
Erection procedures
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with pre-engineered structures
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to pre-engineered structures
assisting apprentice to interpret information pertaining to pre-engineered structures found on
drawings and specifications
identifying tools and equipment relating to pre-engineered structures and describing their applications
and procedures for use
identifying types of pre-engineered structures such as tapered beam, single-span and multi-span rigid
frame and lean-to, and describing their characteristics and applications
identifying pre-engineered structure components and describing their characteristics and applications
describing the procedures used to plan and prepare for the erection of pre-engineered structures
providing opportunities to erect pre-engineered structures and their components
Machinery and Equipment
Types and characteristics
Interpretation installation information from drawings
Identification of structural components for installation and removal
Installation and removal procedures
Safe work practices
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with machinery and equipment installation and removal
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to the installation and removal of
machinery and equipment
assisting apprentice to interpret information pertaining to the installation and removal of machinery
and equipment found on drawings and specifications
identifying tools and equipment relating the installation and removal of machinery and equipment and
describing their applications and procedures for use
identifying types of machinery and equipment installed and removed by Ironworkers such as storage
tanks, hoppers and conveyors and describing their characteristics
describing the procedures used to install or remove machinery and equipment
providing opportunities for the apprentice to assist with the installation and removal of machinery and
equipment
Building Erection III
Dismantling of a structural steel structure using a crane
Identification of structural components
Safe worksite practices
Advanced rigging techniques
Sequence of dismantling
Sequence of component storage
Trailer loading and storage of components
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
describing the sequence of dismantling a structural steel building with respect to the order of reinstallation
describing the procedures used to stack and secure structural steel components for storage or for
transport
providing opportunities to select materials and equipment for rigging systems
providing opportunities to learn about calculating load weights, using load charts to determine crane
capacity, measuring boom deflection, and determining weight displacement
providing opportunities to dismantle steel buildings
providing opportunities to apply safe rigging practices and procedures to work as a team to dismantle
structural steel components
providing opportunities for the apprentice to perform the signalling during crane lifting operations
Precast Concrete
Components of pre-cast concrete members
Erection and dismantling procedures
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with pre-cast concrete erection and dismantling
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to pre-cast concrete erection and
dismantling
assisting apprentice to interpret information pertaining to pre-cast concrete erection and dismantling
found on drawings and specifications
identifying tools and equipment relating to pre-cast concrete erection and dismantling and describing
their applications and procedures for use
identifying types of pre-cast concrete members and components and describing their characteristics
and applications
describing the procedures used to prepare, erect, finish and dismantle pre-cast concrete members
and components
providing opportunities to assist with the erection and dismantling of pre-cast concrete members and
components
providing opportunities to choose appropriate rigging and perform hook up procedures for slinging
various pre-cast components into position
Welding III
Plasma arc cutting equipment and accessories
Plasma arc cutting procedures
The employer can assist the apprentice to prepare for this section of technical training by:
defining terminology associated with plasma arc cutting
identifying hazards and describing safe work practices pertaining to plasma arc cutting
describing the plasma arc cutting process and its applications
identifying plasma arc cutting equipment and accessories and describing their applications
describing the procedures used to set up, adjust and shut down plasma arc cutting equipment
describing procedures used to inspect, maintain and store plasma arc cutting equipment
describing the procedures used to cut using plasma arc cutting equipment
identifying common cutting faults and describing the procedures used to prevent and correct these
faults
providing opportunities for the apprentice to set up, operate and shut down plasma arc cutting
equipment
Consider apprenticeship training as an investment in the future of your company and in the future
of your workforce. Ultimately, skilled and certified workers increase your bottom line.
Get involved in the apprenticeship training system. Your commitment to training helps to maintain
the integrity of the trade.
Do you have employees who have been working in the trade for a number of years but dont have
trade certification? Contact your local apprenticeship office for details on how they might obtain
the certification they need.
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship & Trade Certification Commission
2140 Hamilton St Regina SK S4P 2E3
Tel: (306) 787-2444
Fax: (306) 787-5105
Toll Free: 1-877-363-0536
web site: [Link]
District Offices
Estevan (306) 637-4930
La Ronge (306) 425-4385
Moose Jaw (306) 694-3735
North Battleford (306) 446-7409
Prince Albert (306) 953-2632
Saskatoon (306) 933-8476
Swift Current (306) 778-8945
Yorkton (306) 786-1394
