Skills
- Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.
- Field Ironworker
- Iron Installer
- Iron Worker
- Ironworker
- Reinforced Ironworker
- Rodbuster
- Rodman
- Steel Tier
What do Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers do?
Reinforcing iron and rebar workers are skilled tradespeople responsible for installing and securing rebar and reinforcing steel in concrete structures. Their work is critical in ensuring the strength and durability of buildings, bridges, roads, and other infrastructure. These workers read and interpret blueprints and structural drawings to determine the placement of rebar, selecting appropriate materials to meet engineering specifications. They also spend significant time measuring and cutting steel, bending it into necessary shapes, and tying rebar to hold it in place before concrete is poured. The job often involves physical tasks, including lifting heavy materials and working in various weather conditions. Safety is a paramount concern, with workers using personal protective equipment and following strict safety protocols to minimize the risk of accidents on construction sites. Overall, reinforcing iron and rebar workers play an essential role in the construction industry, contributing to the stability and safety of structures.
What the work actually is
- Determine quantities, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions.
- Space and fasten together rods in forms according to blueprints, using wire and pliers.
- Position and secure steel bars, rods, cables, or mesh in concrete forms, using fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, or hand tools.
- Cut rods to required lengths, using metal shears, hacksaws, bar cutters, or acetylene torches.
- Place blocks under rebar to hold the bars off the deck when reinforcing floors.
Skills employers expect
Abilities
- Static Strength The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
- Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
- Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
- Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Knowledge
- Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
- Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Design Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
✨ JobCopilot - Smart Job Matching
Find jobs that match your skills with AI-powered search
Search Jobs NowHow people get into it
Education of new hires
Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
A normal week
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Getting Information
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Tools used on the job
Technology
- Project management software Application Software SHEAR · Applied Systems Associates aSa Rebar
- Computer aided design CAD software OTP ArmaCAD
- Data base user interface and query software RebarWin
- Spreadsheet software
- Word processing software
Tools
- Pry bars Crowbars · Wrecking bars
- Blow torch Acetylene torches · Torches
- Bending machines Automatic rebar tying tools · Portable hydraulic rod benders
- Hickeys Hickey bars · Rebar benders
- Power saws Cutoff saws · Jig saws
Who it suits
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Advertisement
Does this career fit you?
A free assessment matches your answers to careers, and shows the salary that goes with each one.
Questions people ask
How much do Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers earn in South Africa?
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.
What do Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers do?
Determine quantities, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions, Space and fasten together rods in forms according to blueprints, using wire and pliers and Position and secure steel bars, rods, cables, or mesh in concrete forms, using fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, or hand tools.
How do I know if this career fits me?
Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.