Profession building construction worker

Building construction workers prepare and maintain building construction activities on construction sites. They perform preparation and clean-up work in order to assist specialised construction workers.

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Skills

• Pour concrete

  Pour concrete into a form from a mixer truck chute, hopper or hose. Pour the correct amount to balance efficiency with the risk of the concrete not setting completely.

• Use safety equipment in construction

  Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.

• Work in a construction team

  Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.

• Install wood elements in structures

  Install elements made of wood and wood-based composite materials, such as doors, stairs, plinths, and ceiling frames. Assemble and affix the elements, taking care to prevent gaps. Inspect the work and notify the responsible person in case of problems.

• Apply finish to concrete

  Finish concrete using a variety of techniques like polishing and acid staining.

• Prepare surface for painting

  Make sure the surface to be painted is free of scratches and dents. Assess the porosity of the wall and the need for coating. Remove any grease, dirt, moisture and traces of previous coverings.

• Follow health and safety procedures in construction

  Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

• Install construction profiles

  Install a variety of metal or plastic profiles used to attach materials to each other or to structural elements. Cut them to size if called for.

• Move soil

  Use machinery to load and unload soil. Take care not to overload the machine. Dump the soil judiciously in the assigned place.

• Operate digging construction equipment

  Operate and use construction equipment, such as digger derricks, backhoes, track hoes, front-end loaders, trenchers, or cable ploughs.

• Check compatibility of materials

  Make sure the materials are fit to be used together, and if there are any foreseeable interferences.

• Prepare wall for wallpaper

  Make sure the wall is prepared for papering. Remove any dirt, grease, or debris. Make sure the wall is smooth and dry. Coat plaster or other porous material with a sealer to make sure the wallpaper paste is not absorbed.

• Place drywall

  Place sections of drywall against a surface. Put joists in place. Plan the amount of drywall necessary and the pattern they will be installed in to minimise the number of joints.

• Mix concrete

  Use compact concrete mixers or various ad-hoc containers such as wheelbarrows to mix concrete. Prepare the correct quantities of cement, water, aggregate and optional added ingredients, and mix the ingredients until an homogenous concrete is formed.

• Transport construction supplies

  Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers' safety and protection from deterioration.

• Dig soil mechanically

  Use mechanical equipment to dig up and move soil. Form pits according to excavation plans.

• Inspect masonry work

  Inspect finished masonry work. Check if the work is straight and level, if each brick is of adequate quality, and if the joints are full and well finished.

• Inspect construction supplies

  Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.

• Prepare surface for plastering

  Prepare the wall or other surface to be plastered. Make sure the wall is free of impurities and moisture, and is not too smooth as this will prevent proper adherence of the plastering materials. Decide whether an adhesive wall coating is called for, especially if the wall is damp or very porous.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB