A realistic, no-nonsense guide for newcomers starting in steel fixing across Queensland
Starting your first steel fixing job can feel a bit overwhelming. New site, new people, early starts, lots of noise, plenty of moving parts — and a crew that already knows what they’re doing.
The good news? Every steel fixer in Queensland started exactly where you are now.
This guide gives you a clear picture of what your first day and first few weeks will actually look like, so you can walk in confident, prepared and ready to work.
Whether you’re joining a civil crew, a commercial job, or a residential pour, this is what to expect on site when you begin steel fixing.
Before you arrive: What you should already have sorted
To step foot on a construction site in Queensland, you need:
Your White Card
This is mandatory statewide. No White Card = no entry.
You’ll need to complete the unit CPCCWHS1001 face-to-face with an RTO.
Basic PPE
Bring:
- Steel-cap boots
- Hi-vis shirt or vest
- Long pants (site specific)
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Hard hat
Your starter tools
For day one, you only need:
- Steel fixing belt
- Knipex knips
- Tie-wire reel
- 8-10m Tape measure
Turn up with these and you’re already ahead of 90% of first-day workers.
What your first day actually looks like
Let’s break down your Day One so nothing catches you off guard.
1. The early start
Most steel fixing crews start between 6.00 am and 6.30 am.
You’ll sign in, meet the team and be shown where the amenities are.
2. Site induction
Every commercial and civil job requires a site-specific induction.
It usually covers:
- Emergency procedures
- Site layout
- High-risk areas
- Where you can and can’t walk
- PPE requirements
- Reporting hazards
If the project is large (like a bridge, road upgrade or multi-level build), the induction may include videos or paperwork. Smaller projects tend to be faster.
3. Meeting your leading hand or foreman
Your foreman or leading hand will explain:
- What the job is
- Where the crew is up to
- What you’ll be helping with
- Who you’ll be working beside
Good crews (like the ones at Spot On Reo) don’t throw you to the wolves.
You’ll be paired with an experienced fixer who’ll show you the ropes.
Your first tasks as a new steel fixer
New workers start with simple, hands-on tasks so you can learn the fundamentals properly.
Moving and placing reo
You’ll help:
- Carry mesh
- Distribute bar
- Place spacers and chairs
- Assist with setting out starter bars
Nothing complicated — just physical and steady.
Learning to tie
This is your main skill.
You’ll learn:
- Basic snap ties
- Figure-eight ties
- Saddles
- How to tie quickly and safely without wasting wire
Your first few days will involve a lot of practice.
Cleaning and organising work areas
Steel fixing is easier when the area is tidy.
You’ll help clear bar offcuts, stack reo, and prepare the pour area.
Asking questions
Don’t stand around guessing.
Site culture is straightforward: if you don’t know, ask. Crews prefer that over someone doing the wrong thing or creating a safety issue.
Week 1: Getting comfortable
Once you’ve settled in, you’ll start to understand:
- How drawings match up with the bar on the ground
- What different bar marks mean
- How to space bar correctly
- How to work efficiently with a small section of the crew
- When to speed up, when to slow down, and when to double-check
Most people notice a massive improvement in confidence after the first week.
Week 2 to 4: Building skill and speed
This is when steel fixing starts to feel natural.
You’ll be doing things like:
Tying full cages
Vertical, horizontal, small or large — cage work is common in civil and commercial jobs.
Setting out bar
With guidance, you’ll start aligning bar to chairs, ensuring correct spacing and cover.
Working to pour deadlines
Concrete waits for no one.
You’ll feel the rhythm of the crew as they push to finish sections before the trucks arrive.
Learning the flow of the site
You’ll naturally understand:
- which trades move in after you
- where bottlenecks happen
- what your foreman expects
- how to communicate quickly and clearly
By the end of your first month, many workers start tying at a much better pace and taking on more responsibility.
What new workers struggle with (and how to avoid it)
1. Fatigue
Steel fixing is physical.
Drink water, eat properly, and pace yourself early in the day.
2. Overthinking
It’s normal to feel lost at first — but don’t freeze.
Keep moving, ask questions, stay helpful.
3. Not listening
A big one.
Experienced fixers can teach you everything — but only if you’re listening.
4. Not bringing tools
Turning up without pliers or without a tape measure slows the whole crew down.
5. Being late
Construction moves early.
If you’re late, you’re holding up the entire team.
What successful steel fixers do differently
The best steel fixers usually:
- show up 10 minutes early
- look after their tools
- ask for feedback
- keep a good attitude even when the work is tough
- help clean up without being asked
- take pride in quality and speed
These are the people who become leading hands and foremen.
What it’s like joining Spot On Reo
Spot On Reo is known for having a strong crew culture — a mix of experienced leaders and younger workers who bring energy and reliability.
When you join our teams, you can expect:
- steady work across Queensland
- commercial and civil projects that build real experience
- leading hands who teach, not yell
- a crew that looks out for each other
- opportunities to move up as you improve
- a company that understands what steel fixing actually involves (because it’s all we do)
If you’re switched on, hardworking and keen to learn, you’ll fit in quickly.
Ready for your first steel fixing job?
Whether you’ve got experience or you’re brand new to construction, steel fixing offers one of the strongest career pathways in the industry.
If you want consistent work, solid crews and a company that builds steel fixers the right way:
👉 Apply to join Spot On Reo – connect with us via the contact us page
Turn up with the right attitude — we’ll help you build the rest.