Laborer

WHAT HE DOES:

The Laborer is the jack-of-all-trades in construction, working as a hod carrier, carpenter helper, cement mason helper, material handler and cleanup man. His physical skills and common sense are extremely valuable to the contractor in running a smooth building operation. Inexperienced Laborers receive on-the-job and classroom courses in construction language, care and safe use of the tools of the trade, dimensions, stockpiling use, care for and proper storage of contractors’ materials, tools and equipment.

Laborers may become semi-skilled through training and working with the skilled trades in such jobs as air and power tool operators, asphalt rakers, cement mason tenders, cutting torch operators, gunite rebound men, hod carriers, mortar mixers, plaster spreader operators, plasterer tenders, and power buggy operators.

Laborers sometimes specialize in semi-skills or skills such as demolition workers, sand blasters (pot men), nozzlemen, window washers, wagoncore and diamond drillers, gunite nozzlemen, pipelayers – non-metalic, pumpcrete nozzlemen, powerman blasters, as well as tunnel and shaft semi-skilled workmen.

Laborers who become experienced in the various classes of common, semi-skilled or skilled work and have the qualifications of reliability and leadership can advance to be Laborer foremen. Many individuals enter the skilled crafts apprenticeship programs from the Laborer ranks.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Age – Minimum 16 years
• Physically able to perform the work of the trade
• Possess a valid driver=s license
• High school graduate or equivalent
• Pass a physical examination and drug screening