Mid Green occupationConstruction and the built environment
Steel fixer
Assembling and installing steelworks required to strengthen reinforced concrete structures.
Summary
This occupation is found in The Construction and the Built Environment sector.
Steel Fixers work on various developments including commercial and industrial units, multi-storey housing and civil engineering projects like roadworks, tunnels and bridges.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to construct steel reinforcement which forms a vital part of any concrete structure. Steel Fixers construct reinforcement for columns, beams, walls and floors to which concrete is added to create the solid structure. They are using steel wire to tie together various diameters of steel reinforcement bar or mesh matts, that will need to be cut to length, bent to shape and fixed together. Components can be constructed in situ on a construction site or constructed elsewhere, then moved into position and tied into place on site. It is important that Steel Fixers work in a safe and accurate manner in order to complete the construction of the structure in accordance with the requirement set out in the construction drawings, to maintain the integrity of the work.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other trades such as formwork carpenters, groundworkers, scaffolders as well as supervisors, site management, architects, designers, contractors and customers. The working environment is often outdoors on a construction site and can be physically demanding. Steel Fixers often work at height, such as on high rise buildings, and therefore health and safety are of paramount importance.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working in a team, under supervision, using machinery and tools to create structures or components from the designs, digital model, plans and specifications of architects and designers that meet the client’s expectations.
Typical job titles include
- Steel fixer
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role. Employer and Employee responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HASWA) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR). Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Fire safety. Health and Safety at Work Act. Asbestos awareness. Fire extinguishers. Safety signage. Situational awareness. Slips, trips, and falls. Working in confined spaces. Working at height. Electrical safety awareness
K2:
Safe systems of work: Site inductions, toolbox talks, risk assessments, method statements and hazard identification techniques.
K3:
Safety control equipment and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).
K4:
Provision for the safety of themselves and other affected by their work: use of personal fall protection equipment correctly, use of warning signs and physical barriers, making structures safe from access at all times.
K5:
Awareness of standards and regulations associated with steel fixing activities: British standards, building regulations and manufacturers’ instructions and warranty. Impact on how these inform drawings and bending specifications.
K6:
Verbal communication techniques and industry terminology.
K7:
Principles of good team working.
K8:
Awareness of traditional and modern methods of construction: on site and off-site building methods.
K9:
Manual handling techniques.
K10:
Steel reinforcement: principles and characteristics. Reinforcing steel: shape, placement, types, grades, sizes, condition.
K11:
Methods of interpreting relevant information from drawings and specifications.
K12:
Basic principles of digital design and modelling systems.
K13:
Steel fixing hand tools and power tools, use and storage techniques.
K14:
Steel reinforcing structures, types and building construction methods: cages, pile caps, columns, beams, slabs, walls.
K15:
Components: types and production methods. L bars, U bars, splay bars, chairs.
K16:
The principles and practices of working at height safely and the use of access and fall protection equipment.
K17:
The types and uses of steel fixing material: bars, mesh, tying wire, spacers, supports, bar protection, couplers, temporary construction bars.
K18:
Quality assurance requirements and monitoring processes of steel reinforcement installations.
K19:
Techniques to measure and mark out reinforcing steel.
K20:
Techniques to cut and bend reinforcing steel.
K21:
Reinforcing steel in situ: installation, techniques and risks.
K22:
Steel fixing using prefabricated products: installation and alignment into position, techniques and risks.
K23:
The use of digital equipment for positioning: laser levels, theodolites, Global Positioning Systems.
K24:
Legislative guidance relating to equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the workplace.
K25:
Ethical principles: ethical and unethical behaviour and the routes for reporting unethical behaviour.
K26:
Awareness of issues and common symptoms and warning signs of stress, anxiety, and depression, plus where to go for help and the resources available.
K27:
Awareness of environmental and sustainability regulations, how to use resources efficiently. Principles of Recycling, reuse, and safe disposal of waste.
K28:
Employment types (self employed and employed), small business start up principles, tax responsibilities, roles and responsibilities.
K29:
Work planning and pre- work checking requirements and techniques.
K30:
Reinforcing steel joining and tying techniques.
K31:
Steel fixing features and build techniques: steps, penetrations, upstands.
K32:
Steel components and bracing installation techniques.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0271: Steel fixer (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0271
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £31,350 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5319 Construction and building trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5319/06 Steel fixers and underpinners
S1:
Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
S2:
Select and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
S3:
Protect others within the working vicinity through the use of barriers, signs, and bar protectors.
S4:
Comply with industry regulations, standards, and guidance.
S5:
Prepare and maintain a safe working area.
S6:
Move, lift and handle materials.
S7:
Work at height and use access and fall protection equipment.
S8:
Interpret information from drawings and specifications.
S9:
Plan order of works and carry out pre-work checks.
S10:
Use and store hand tools and power tools.
S11:
Apply processes and techniques to install a range of in-situ steel reinforcing structures, for example, columns, walls, pile caps and slabs.
S12:
Measure and mark out reinforcing steel.
S13:
Cut and bend reinforcing steel.
S14:
Produce and install supports, for example, L bars, U bars, splay bars and chairs.
S15:
Join and tie reinforcing steel.
S16:
Use temporary construction bars.
S17:
Install bracing within steel reinforcement.
S18:
Communicate verbally with colleagues or customers using industry terminology.
S19:
Complete post build checks.
S20:
Follow equity, diversity and inclusion legislative guidance and principles.
S21:
Apply ethical principles.
S22:
Follow environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
S23:
Use processes and techniques to build reinforcing steel assembly with a: step, penetration or upstand feature.
S24:
Follow work instructions - verbal or written.
S25:
Applies team working principles.
S26:
Follow quality assurance procedures.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0271: Steel fixer (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0271
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £31,350 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5319 Construction and building trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5319/06 Steel fixers and underpinners
B1:
Put health, safety and wellbeing first.
B2:
Consider the environment when using resources and carrying out processes.
B3:
Take ownership of given work.
B4:
Contribute to an inclusive and diverse culture.
B5:
Seek learning and development opportunities.
B6:
Team-focus to meet team goals including, considering the wider build team.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0271: Steel fixer (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0271
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £31,350 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5319 Construction and building trades n.e.c.
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5319/06 Steel fixers and underpinners
