Construction laborersConstruction laborers perform a wide range of physically demanding tasks involving building and highway construction, tunnel and shaft excavation, hazardous waste removal, environmental remediation, and demolition. Although the term �laborer� implies work that requires relatively little skill or training, many tasks that these workers perform require a fairly high level of training and experience. Construction laborers clean and prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards, dig trenches, mix and place concrete, and set braces to support the sides of excavations. They load, unload, identify, and distribute building materials to the appropriate location according to project plans and specifications on building construction projects. They also tend machines; for example, they may mix concrete using a portable mixer or tend a machine that pumps concrete, grout, cement, sand, plaster, or stucco through a spray gun for application to ceilings and walls. Construction laborers often help other craftworkers, including carpenters, plasterers, operating engineers, and masons. At heavy and highway construction sites, construction laborers clear and prepare highway work zones and rights of way; install traffic barricades, cones, and markers; and control traffic passing near, in, and around work zones. They also install sewer, water, and storm drain pipes, and place concrete and asphalt on roads. At hazardous waste removal sites, construction laborers prepare the site and safely remove asbestos, lead, radioactive waste, and other hazardous materials. They operate, read, and maintain air monitoring and other sampling devices in confined and/or hazardous environments. They also safely sample, identify, handle, pack, and transport hazardous and/or radioactive materials and clean and decontaminate equipment, buildings, and enclosed structures. Other highly specialized tasks include operating laser guidance equipment to place pipes, operating air, electric, and pneumatic drills, and transporting and setting explosives for tunnel, shaft, and road construction. Construction laborers operate a variety of equipment including pavement breakers; jackhammers; earth tampers; concrete, mortar, and plaster mixers; electric and hydraulic boring machines; torches; small mechanical hoists; laser beam equipment; and surveying and measuring equipment. They may use computers and other high-tech input devices to control robotic pipe cutters and cleaners. To perform their jobs effectively, construction laborers must be familiar with the duties of other craftworkers and with the materials, tools, and machinery they use. Construction laborers often work as part of a team with other skilled craftworkers, jointly carrying out assigned construction tasks. At other times, construction laborers may work alone, reading and interpreting instructions, plans, and specifications with little or no supervision. While most construction laborers tend to specialize in a type of construction, such as highway or tunnel construction, they are generalists who perform many different tasks during all stages of construction. However, construction laborers who work in underground construction (such as in tunnels) or in demolition are more likely to specialize in only those areas. Related news articles Ford and Corker on eight big issues - Oct 14, 2006 Knoxville News Sentinel (subscription),Taxes and tax cuts: As a person who worked as a construction laborer and started a business with $8,000, says families should keep more of what they earn. ... Between Two Worlds - Oct 2, 2006 Port Folio Weekly,After Banff, he found work in Toronto as a janitor in CN Tower, the city’s tallest building, and later as a construction laborer. ... A tragic day on the job - Sep 25, 2006 Twin Cities Finance and Commerce,According to Minnesota OSHA: • A construction laborer in Aitkin was injured on June 9, 2005, while working in a trench. Another ... '15K to 20K jobs in Guam' - Oct 6, 2006 Saipan Tribune,...$12.82 per hour. Construction laborer is paid $8.39 per hour; electrician, $13.26; and office clerk, $8.07 per hour. The military ... Probers link Mindanao mayor to engineer's slay - Oct 5, 2006 Sun.Star,Meanwhile, a construction laborer identified as Mario Gumba was hit by a stray bullet at his right eyebrow, but was declared out of danger. ... Man dies on Fla. trip to see Steelers play - Sep 20, 2006 Monessen Valley Independent,..."The family is hurting right now.". Douglas Stuck, a lifelong resident of Arnold, was a union construction laborer in the heavy highway construction field. ... JANICE HOLLINGSWORTH – - Sep 28, 2006 Paris Beacon News (subscription),Monday, Sept. 25, 2006, at Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Ind. She was a retired railroad construction laborer. Graveside services ... 'Nashville Star' TV competition leads to collaborative tour - Sep 21, 2006 Arizona Daily Star,..."It's something that I've been working towards, but I've got a lot of work from here," said the one-time construction laborer from Murfreesboro, Tenn. ... Oil bonanza - Sep 13, 2006 Charleston Gazette (subscription),...an Occidental petroleum engineer would have to work 778 years; an average rotary drill operator, 1,932 years; and an average construction laborer, 3,775 years. ... More information on Construction laborers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Construction laborers occupation Number of Construction laborers in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Construction laborers Working conditions for Construction laborers Significant points for Construction laborers Training requirements for Construction laborers Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |