Construction and the built environment

Structural steelwork fabricator

Welding on construction projects.

Summary

There is a high demand for skilled structural steelwork fabricator in the constructional steelwork industry and the civil construction industry. The work usually takes place within a steelwork factory or in designated area of a construction site location. Structural steelwork fabricators are required to produce fabricated structural components to the highest standards in order to ensure that the finished products function correctly as they will usually be on display as part of the iconic structures such as National and local sport stadia, high rise tower blocks or bridges, and other structures include schools, colleges, hospitals and warehouses. A competent structural steelwork fabricator will be able to identify the relevant steelwork sections and plate that is required to complete a fabricated component (steelwork that is cut, drilled and has welded or bolted attachments) and the relevant tools and equipment that is required to complete a bolted connection or a tack welded joint for a complex or shaped fabricated component. This will include the knowledge and understanding of material drawings and component lists. The use of the appropriate tools and equipment requires skills to be developed to ensure they are used safely and accurately to the company specific standards, minimising any waste of product or production time. Every structural steelwork fabricator takes responsibility for the quality and accuracy of their work. With demanding environments and a wide range of tools and equipment used, structural steelwork fabricator is a safety critical occupation.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1:

Be aware of the material grades and various sizes of materials used.

K2:

Recognise the common component names section descriptions (beam, column, channel, plate, round hollow, square hollow, angle, fin plates, gusset plates, etc).

K3:

Use the main non powered hand tools needed in steelwork fabrication (hammer, combination square, scriber, measuring tape, chalk, dividers, trammel, etc).

K4:

Use the main powered equipment needed in steelwork fabrication (grinder, saw, drill, punch, guillotine, thermal cutting equipment, etc).

K5:

Identify the causes of typical fabrication defects and how their occurrence can be reduced.

K6:

Be able to identify hazards and basic health, safety and quality requirements.

K7:

Know how to interpret and work to fabrication drawings and explain basic geometric techniques.

K8:

Know the basics of quality documents and reporting systems.

Technical Educational Products

ST0099
ST0099: Structural steelwork fabricator (Level 2) Retired
Reference:
OCC0099
Status:
Occupational standard without apprenticeship imageOccupational standard without apprenticeship
SOC 2020 code:
0
  • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
    S1:

    Plan and preparation to ensure production and personal development goals are achieved.

    S2:

    Prepare the working area, equipment, consumables and materials for setting out the components to be marked for drilling, cutting, notching, welding or bending.

    S3:

    Read and interpret drawings, sketches and weld symbols.

    S4:

    Fabricate curved sections, trusses, facetted sections and prepare butt welds.

    S5:

    Prepare and use the equipment for bolting connections or welding component parts.

    S6:

    Create appropriate jigs to aid repetition work and complex shapes.

    S7:

    Complete and dimensionally check the finished fabrication ready for inspection and report into the production control system.

    S8:

    Complete fillet welds in at least two positions (downhand, horizontal or vertical).

    S9:

    Achieve a quality of work to meet international standards for dimensional inspection.

    S10:

    Ensure that health and safety requirements are fully accounted for in all the above.

    S11:

    Complete welding tasks to the standard BS EN 9606-1 MAG 135 Flux Cored 136.

    Technical Educational Products

    ST0099 image
    ST0099: Structural steelwork fabricator (Level 2) Retired
    Reference:
    OCC0099
    Status:
    Occupational standard without apprenticeship imageOccupational standard without apprenticeship
    SOC 2020 code:
    0
    • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
      B1:

      A questioning attitude, to understand the: processes used; associated industrial applications; maintaining competence; commitment to personal development

      B2:

      Intervention, to challenge poor practices and channel feedback to the right authorities to implement change.

      B3:

      Reliability and dependability to consistently deliver expectations in production, quality, work ethics, self-development, teamwork and self motivation.

      B4:

      Accountability, to follow the specified procedures and controls and be personally responsible for their production work and personal development.

      Technical Educational Products

      ST0099 image
      ST0099: Structural steelwork fabricator (Level 2) Retired
      Reference:
      OCC0099
      Status:
      Occupational standard without apprenticeship imageOccupational standard without apprenticeship
      SOC 2020 code:
      0
      • SOC 2020 sub unit groups: