Metal beams are used in building construction, created by casting or forging liquid steel into the correct shape. They are welded or bolted into place and form the skeleton of a building. Metalworkers face safety concerns when working at heights and in inclement weather. Rivets have been replaced by bolts and welding, reducing worker injuries. Metal beam construction is a skilled trade and individuals skilled in metal beam assembly are highly sought after.
A metal beam is used in building construction in a variety of ways. The beams, replacing the use of the wooden versions, are created by casting or forging liquid steel into the correct shape. The beams can differ in length, width and shape depending on their intended use. Once ready for use, the metal beam is welded or bolted into place and typically forms the skeleton of a building.
In a typical building project, the metal beam, often steel, is placed before any type of flooring or wall mounting. The placement of these beams acts as a support and structure for the entire building. Using metal versions instead of its wooden predecessors made the buildings more stable, long-lasting and able to reach greater heights.
Building high off the ground, however, is not without safety concerns. A metalworker is required to climb and cross metal beams not much wider than his work boots and sometimes smaller than his boots. All of this can happen hundreds of meters above the ground and in all kinds of weather conditions. While work is halted in extreme weather conditions, building often continues in inclement weather.
Wind is perhaps the greatest danger when working with a metal beam. As the beam is raised and lowered into position, the wind tends to blow it out of position and often causes it to twirl. This is very dangerous for construction personnel and great care is taken to avoid working in significant winds. Frost and morning dew are two more enemies of the metalworker. The metal beam can become ice-like when covered with a thin layer of dew or frost.
Traditionally, an ironworker would rivet a metal beam into place using red-hot rivets and hammers. Eventually, the hammers were replaced by steam hammers that pounded red-hot rivets into place. In modern building construction, the use of rivets has been replaced by large steel bolts and even welding. This type of assembly not only accelerated construction times, but significantly reduced worker injuries.
Metal beam construction, often referred to as red iron due to the metal’s protective dull red oxide finish, is often considered a skilled trade in many areas of the world. With the use of metal and concrete replacing brick and mortar, individuals skilled in the construction practices of metal beam assembly are highly sought after. The ability to work outdoors in the summer heat as well as the winter cold are characteristics of a metalworker; however, the greatest asset may be the ability to work at extreme heights.
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