Steeplejacks are skilled workers who install, maintain, and repair tall structures like church spires, skyscrapers, and more. They use specialist equipment and work in teams, and their work is dangerous and requires skill. There are no strict educational requirements, but safety training and apprenticeships are common. Certification can lead to job opportunities and advancement.
A steeplejack is a skilled construction worker who performs installations, maintenance, and repairs on tall buildings and structures. He or she may work on church spires, steeples, skyscrapers and other structures that require specialized sizing procedures. Professionals use many different types of specialist equipment to carry out repair work, including lifelines, bosun chairs, ladders and scaffolding. Even when proper safety precautions are taken, the job of a steeplejack is still dangerous and requires a high level of confidence and skill. Most steeplejacks work for contract companies that provide a wide range of services.
Steeplejacks rarely work alone on large-scale jobs. Instead, teams of men and women perform specialized tasks to ensure quality installation and repair work. Bell towers erect scaffolding and ladders to work on relatively short structures such as church steeples. If a new steeple is installed, one crew member operates a crane while other workers maneuver and secure the steeple in place. For a repair job, pipe jacks may need to cut a damaged piece of metal or wood and hammer, screw or weld a new one in its place. Professionals also paint or finish structures to improve their aesthetics and weather resistance.
For maintenance work on tall structures such as skyscrapers, monkeys often descend from the top of buildings using ropes and safety harnesses. A worker usually utilizes a bosun chair, a type of board or seat that allows the specialist to maneuver up, down, and side to side while hanging from the building. Once installed, they can perform tasks like replacing a broken window or worn bricks. Many steeplejack companies also offer window washing services for apartments and office buildings.
There are no strict educational requirements to become wildly successful, although many potential workers enroll in technical school programs to hone their construction skills. Before a new employee can begin dimensioning buildings, he or she must usually attend several safety training courses and practice their techniques at ground level. Steeplejacks typically begin their careers as apprentices to experienced workers to familiarize themselves with various tasks before working independently. An apprenticeship can last anywhere from six months to five years, depending on company policies and local laws governing the types of jobs workers are allowed to do.
Many countries offer professional certification to individuals who successfully complete internships. A certified worker generally enjoys many different job opportunities and chances for advancement in steeplejack companies. Some professionals decide to start their own contracting business, where they take on administrative duties in addition to doing actual repair and maintenance work.
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