During the construction and building processes, a steel fixer is a tradesman who works with various types of steel. A steel fixer’s main responsibilities include properly installing and welding steel pieces of various sizes into building frames, as well as ensuring that all steel or iron welds are sufficiently strong. Limited schooling specific to welding and metal properties, as well as an apprenticeship in which the welder learns from other welders on-site, may be required for this position. A steel fixer is a skilled laborer, which means he or she will likely earn more money than an unskilled laborer.
A steel fixer’s responsibilities vary depending on the project, but in general, they include welding and properly placing or designing steel structures in concrete projects, building frames, and other structures. Steel fixers can work on a wide range of projects, from simple decorative structures to load-bearing structures like buildings and skyscrapers. The steel fixer will need to be skilled in welding as well as have a thorough understanding of frame designs and load bearing capacities of various metals.
The job comes with a lot of risks. Steel fixers work with heavy metals on a regular basis, and lifting such metals can result in muscle strains or tears, as well as spinal compression. Welding is an important part of a steel fixer’s job, and there are several hazards to be aware of during the welding process. The metal can become extremely hot, posing a risk of burns, and the welding sparks can also be extremely hot, posing a risk of burns. When welding, the steel fixer will need to wear safety equipment such as fireproof gloves and a welding mask that blocks UV rays from the weld before they reach the eyes. Looking directly at a welding process can cause retinal damage, and staring at a welding process for too long, even through a welding mask, can cause arc eye, a painful and long-lasting condition.
Steel fixers frequently work with rebar, also known as reinforcement bars. Welding these thin metal rods together can create a supporting cage or grid. Because concrete has a low tensile strength, these bars are frequently used in concrete construction. The rebar is embedded in the concrete, adding to the overall strength of the structure. To create the reinforcing structure, steel fixers will weld the rebar together.