Erecting structural steelwork
Overview
This standard identifies the competencies you need to erect and assemble pre-fabricated structural steelwork such as support structures, building frames and roofs, mezzanine platforms, rigs, access staging and platforms to specification and in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to determine, from the drawings and specifications, what has to be done and how best it can be achieved safely, within the time frames allowed and appropriate to the environment and site conditions.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the safe erection of the structure and the associated assembly activities to be undertaken and to report any problems with the component parts, equipment or construction activities that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with minimum supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and provide an informed approach to applying structural assembly and erection procedures. You will understand the principles and processes associated with the erection and assembly of the structures, and their application. You will know about the ways of handling structural steelwork, the means of fixing them in position as well as the care and use of the tools and equipment in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring the finished structure is produced to the required specification. You will understand the safety precautions required when working at height and with structural components and their associated tools and equipment. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- determine what has to be done and how this will be achieved
- select the appropriate construction steelwork and check that they are in a usable condition
- position and secure the construction steelwork in line with the specification
- securely fix any necessary temporary support facilities
- erect structural steelwork for specified structures
- produce constructions that meet specified quality and accuracy requirements
- take appropriate measures to protect the finished construction
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety precautions to be taken when working in a steel construction/erection environment and when erecting structural components (general site safety, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), accident procedure; working at height and statutory regulations relating to it, risk assessment procedures and COSHH regulations)
- the personal protective clothing and equipment that needs to be worn when carrying out the erection activities (such as leather gloves, eye protection, safety helmets, ear protection, safety harness)
- safe working practices and procedures needed for erecting structural components
- the correct methods of moving or lifting heavy structural sections
- the hazards associated with erecting structural components and how they can be minimised (such as using dangerous or badly maintained tools and equipment, lifting and handling long and heavy components, working at height, slips trips and falls)
- how to obtain the necessary construction and site drawings and joining specifications
- how to use and extract information from engineering drawings and related specifications (to include symbols and conventions to appropriate British, European or relevant International standards in relation to work undertaken)
- how to interpret first and third angle drawings, imperial and metric systems of measurement, workpiece reference points and system of tolerancing
- the preparations that need to be carried out on the components prior to erecting and assembling them
- equipment and temporary installations that may be required to support the structure during the erection activities
- the various methods of securing the assembled components (the range of threaded fasteners used including close tolerance location bolts; temporary tack welding methods and techniques)
- how to set-up and align the various components and the tools and equipment that is used
- the use and care of tools and equipment, and tool control procedures
- the importance of using tools or equipment only for the purpose intended; the care that is required when using the tools or equipment; the proper way of preserving tools or equipment between operations
- the problems that can occur when erecting structural components/assemblies, and how these can be avoided
- inspection techniques that can be applied to check the construction is to specification and within acceptable limits
- the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot solve
- reporting lines and procedures, line supervision and technical experts
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Carry out all of the following during the structural erecting operations:
- comply with health and safety and site regulations at all times
- use the correct construction drawings and interpret them correctly
- correctly prepare the components and faces to be erected and assembled
- use the correct datum faces
- erect and assemble the structural components in the correct order or manner
- correctly align the components and faces to be joined
- use the specified or appropriate fixing method and ensure all bolts are tightened to the required torque
- produce an assembly which meets the required specification
Erect structural steelwork for one of the following:
- building frames and roofs
- mezzanine platforms
- access staging and platforms
- support structures
- rigs
Use four of the following types of components in the assemblies produced:
- columns
- bed plates
- fish plates
- beams
- staircases
- brackets
- roof trusses
- bulkheads
- support plates
- frames
- roof sheeting/cladding
- guards and hand rails
- safety cages
- platforms and ladders
- other specific component
Use all of the following during the erection and assembly activities:
- hand tools and equipment (podger, crow bar, spanners, torque wrenches)
- assembly and alignment techniques and procedures (levels, plumb lines, laser equipment)
- mechanical fastening techniques and procedures (bolted, riveted)
- slinging and lifting techniques (ropes, chains, cranes)
- temporary staging or mobile platforms
Erect structural steelwork on either of the following sites:
- new construction site
- existing construction
Produce constructions which meet all of the following quality and accuracy standards:
- all components are correctly assembled and aligned in accordance with the specification
- overall dimensions are within specification tolerances
- assemblies meet appropriate geometric tolerances (square, straight, angles, free from twists)
- completed assemblies meet specification
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Additional Information
You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:
- strong work ethic
- positive attitude
- team player
- dependability
- responsibility
- honesty
- integrity
- motivation
- commitment