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Construction workers are employed in the construction industry and work predominately on construction sites as opposed to being office based and are typically engaged in aspects of the industry other than design or finance. The term includes general construction workers, also referred to as labourers and members of specialist trades such as electricians, carpenters and plumbers.
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Construction trades
Concrete finisher, a tradesman who works with concrete, which includes placing, finishing, protecting and repairing concrete in construction projects.
Electrician, a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the construction of new buildings or maintenance of existing electrical infrastructure.
Painter and decorator, a tradesman responsible for the painting and decorating of buildings, and is also known as a decorator or house painter.
Steel erector, a tradesman who installs structural steel frames of building and engineering projects. The components would usually have been prefabricated, including all welded joints. Structural steel installation is usually crane assisted and utilizes mobile elevated work platforms or scissor lifts as the structure progresses. The work is executed in team using powered and hand tools to bolt the steelwork together.
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Training
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There are several routes to the different careers within the construction industry. Craft industries offer jobs where employees train while they work through apprenticeships and other training schemes.
Tradesmen in countries such as Germany are required to fulfill a formal apprenticeship (usually three years) to work professionally in a trade such as carpentry. Upon graduation from the apprenticeship, he or she is known as a journeyman. Up through the 19th and even the early 20th century, the journeyman traveled to another region of the country to learn the building styles and techniques of that area before (usually) returning home. In modern times, journeymen are not required to travel, and the term refers more to a level of proficiency and skill. In the U.S. union recognized trades have organized skills tests for official journeyman status, but uncertified tradesmen may be called journeymen based on their skill level, years of experience, or simply because they support themselves in the trade, and not due to any certification or formal education.
After working as a journeyman for a specified period, a tradesman may go on to study or test as a master craftsman. In some countries, such as Germany or Japan, this is a process requiring extensive knowledge and skill to achieve master certification. In others, it can be a loosely used term to describe a skilled carpenter.
In the U.K. prospective some tradesmen will learn the profession through apprenticeships or a traineeship that will last 3 to 4 years. There are City and Guilds courses available that combine college based theory training with practical learning.
Graduate roles in the construction industry are filled by people with at least a foundation degree in subjects such as civil engineering, building and construction management. Graduates often receive specialised positions and gain qualifications such as chartered status.
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Construction site safety
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Hazards to construction workers
The construction industry is the most dangerous land based civilian work sector (the fishing industry is more dangerous). In the European Union, the fatal accident rate is nearly 13 workers per 100,000 as against 5 per 100,000 for the all sector average (Source: Eurostat).
The problem is not that the hazards and risks are unknown, it is that they are very difficult to control in a constantly changing work environment. The two biggest safety hazards on site are falls from height and vehicles, but there are many more (electricity and being buried while working in excavations being two more examples). Some of the main health hazards on site are asbestos, solvents, noise, and manual handling activities.
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Applicable laws
Under European Union Law, there are European Union Directives in place to protect workers, notably Directive 89/391 (the Framework Directive) and Directive 92/57 (the Temporary and Mobile Sites Directive). This legislation is transposed into the Member States and places requirements on employers (and others) to assess and protect workers health and safety.
In the U.S. the Occupational Safety & Health Administration OSHA sets and enforces standards concerning workplace safety and health. Also the U.N. has the Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988.
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Personal Protective Equipment
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Construction workers are usually associated with wearing a hard hat, this along with steel-toe boots are the most common personal protective equipment worn. The standard use of high visibility jackets is also widespread. Additional personal protective equipment is required on the basis of a risk assessment, for example when dealing with situations involving hazardous substances, protective gloves and googles would be specified.•
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See also
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