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| competencies =
| competencies =
| formation =
| formation =
| employment_field = [[Construction site]]s
| employment_field = Construction sites
| related_occupation = [[Laborer]]
| related_occupation = [[Laborer]]
| average_salary =
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A '''construction worker''' is a worker employed in the physical [[construction]] of the [[built environment]] and its [[infrastructure]].
A '''construction worker''' is a worker employed in the physical [[construction]] of the [[built environment]] and its [[infrastructure]].
[[File:Construction Workers in Punta Cana.jpg|thumb|Construction Workers in [[Punta Cana]], [[Dominican Republic]]]]


==Definition==
⚫
By some definitions, workers may be engaged in [[manual labour]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/construction-worker|title=Construction worker definition and meaning {{!}} Collins English Dictionary|website=www.collinsdictionary.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-09}}</ref> as unskilled or semi-skilled workers; they may be skilled tradespeople; or they may be supervisory or managerial personnel. Under safety legislation in the United Kingdom, for example, construction workers are people who work for or under the control of a contractor on a construction site;<ref name="CDMRegs">{{cite web |title=Are you a construction worker? Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) - What you need to know |url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/areyou/worker.htm |website=Health and Safety Executive |publisher=HSE |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref> in Canada, this can include people whose work includes ensuring conformance with building codes and regulations, and those who supervise other workers.<ref name="CCOHS">{{cite web |title=Construction Worker - General |url=https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/occup_workplace/construction_worker.html |website=Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety |publisher=CCOHS |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref>
By some definitions, construction workers may be engaged in [[manual labour]] as unskilled or semi-skilled workers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Construction worker definition and meaning {{!}} Collins English Dictionary |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/construction-worker |access-date=2018-06-09 |website=www.collinsdictionary.com |language=en}}</ref> These workers begin by attending to general tasks such as digging, cleaning, and unloading equipment. As they acquire experience, they start to specialize in areas of roofing, pipefitting, structural work, or carpentry. Over time, some opt to receive certification and undergo formal training to ascend their position.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Construction Worker Overview |url=https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/construction-worker |work=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref> In other words, they may be skilled tradespeople, or they may be supervisory or managerial personnel.


⚫
Conversely, the United Kingdom safety legislation has defined construction workers as people "who work for or under the control of a contractor on a construction site."<ref name="CDMRegs">{{cite web |title=Are you a construction worker? Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) - What you need to know |url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/areyou/worker.htm |website=Health and Safety Executive |publisher=HSE |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref> In Canada, this can include people whose work includes ensuring conformance with building codes and regulations and those who supervise other workers.<ref name="CCOHS">{{cite web |title=Construction Worker - General |url=https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/occup_workplace/construction_worker.html |website=Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety |publisher=CCOHS |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref> Construction workers can [[colloquialism|colloquially]] be referred to as "hard hat workers" or "hard hats",<ref>{{cite web |title=hardhat |url=http://www.wordnik.com/words/hardhat |work=Wordnik.com}}</ref> as they often wear [[hard hat]]s for safety while working on construction sites.
⚫
The term is a broad, generic one and most such workers are primarily described by the specific level and type of work they perform. [[Laborers]] comprise a large grouping in most national construction industries. In the United States, for example, in December 2021 the construction sector employed just over 7.5 million people, of whom just over 820,000 were [[laborers]], while 573,000 were [[carpenters]], 508,000 were [[electricians]], 258,000 were equipment operators and 230,000 were construction managers.<ref name="USBLS-con">{{cite web |title=Construction: NAICS 23 |url=https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag23.htm |website=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |publisher=United States Department of Labor |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref> Like most business sectors, there is also substantial [[white collar]] employment in construction - 681,000 US workers were recorded by United States Department of Labor the as in 'Office and Administrative Support Occupations' in May 2021.<ref name="USBLS-tables">{{cite web |title=Tables - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: National industry-specific and by ownership |url=https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm |website=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |publisher=United States Department of Labor |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref>


⚫
Nevertheless, the term is a broad and generic one and most construction workers are primarily described by the specific level and type of work they perform. [[Laborers]] comprise a large grouping in most national construction industries. In the United States, for example, in May 2021, the construction sector employed just over 7.5 million people, of whom just over 820,000 were laborers, while 573,000 were [[carpentry|carpenters]], 508,000 were [[electrician]]s, 258,000 were equipment operators and 230,000 were construction managers.<ref name="USBLS-con">{{cite web |title=Construction: NAICS 23 |url=https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag23.htm |website=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |publisher=United States Department of Labor |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref> Like most business sectors, there is also substantial [[white-collar worker|white-collar]] employment in construction - 681,000 US workers were recorded by the [[United States Department of Labor]] as in 'office and administrative support occupations' in May 2021.<ref name="USBLS-tables">{{cite web |title=Tables - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: National industry-specific and by ownership |url=https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm |website=US Bureau of Labor Statistics |publisher=United States Department of Labor |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref> In 2023, the United States reported that, of the total number of construction workers, 27.7% of workers were Hispanic and around 6.2% were women.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training |title=Hispanic Employment Dashboard |work=Data Dashboard |url=https://www.cpwr.com/research/data-center/data-dashboards/hispanic-employment-dashboard/ |access-date=2023-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training |title=Women in Construction |work=Data Dashboard |url=https://www.cpwr.com/research/data-center/data-dashboards/women-in-construction/ |access-date=2023-04-14}}</ref>
Construction workers may [[colloquialism|colloquially]] be referred to as "hard hat workers" or "hard hats",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wordnik.com/words/hardhat|title=hardhat|work=Wordnik.com}}</ref> as they often wear [[hard hat]]s for safety.


== Safety ==
== Safety ==
⚫
{{main|Construction site safety}}
Construction safety is intended to ensure a safe environment for workers, who are required to be educated on safety at each site.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Tool to Design for Construction Worker Safety|journal = Journal of Architectural Engineering|date = 1997-01-01|issn = 1076-0431|pages = 32–41|volume = 3|issue = 1|doi = 10.1061/(ASCE)1076-0431(1997)3:1(32)|last1 = Gambatese|first1 = John A.|last2 = Hinze|first2 = Jimmie W.|last3 = Haas|first3 = Carl T.}}</ref>
The construction industry is a high-hazard sector, encompassing alteration and repair. Workers are exposed to various serious hazards, such as falling debris, unguarded machinery, heavy equipment, electrocutions, silica dust, and asbestos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Construction Industry |url=https://www.osha.gov/construction |website=U.S. Department of Labor}}</ref> Thus, construction safety is intended to ensure a safe environment for workers, who are required to be educated on safety at each site.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Tool to Design for Construction Worker Safety|journal = Journal of Architectural Engineering|date = 1997-01-01|issn = 1076-0431|pages = 32–41|volume = 3|issue = 1|doi = 10.1061/(ASCE)1076-0431(1997)3:1(32)|last1 = Gambatese|first1 = John A.|last2 = Hinze|first2 = Jimmie W.|last3 = Haas|first3 = Carl T.}}</ref> Construction workers must remain vigilant by keeping work areas clear, learning safe lifting techniques, being aware of seasonal hazards, and regularly inspecting all equipment, among other preventive measures.<ref name="CCOHS" />


==Examples of poor pay and working conditions for migrant workers==
==Examples of poor pay and working conditions for migrant workers==
In 2008, a [[Human Rights Watch]] report described unsafe and unfair working conditions in China and a failure on the part of the government to enforce labor standards in the construction industry.<ref name="hrw">{{cite techreport |editor-first=Sophie |editor-last=Richardson |title=One Year of My Blood: Exploitation of Migrant Construction Workers in Beijing |institution=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=12 March 2008 |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2008/03/11/one-year-my-blood-0 |access-date=12 February 2013}}</ref> The [[International Labour Organization]] (ILO) estimated that, at the end of 2006, 90% of the 40 million construction workers in China were [[migrant worker]]s. Many turned to work after their farming communities collapsed into poverty.<ref name="hrw"/>
In 2008, a [[Human Rights Watch]] report described unsafe and unfair working conditions in China and a failure on the part of the government to enforce labor standards in the construction industry.<ref name="hrw">{{cite tech report |editor-first=Sophie |editor-last=Richardson |title=One Year of My Blood: Exploitation of Migrant Construction Workers in Beijing |institution=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=12 March 2008 |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2008/03/11/one-year-my-blood-0 |access-date=12 February 2013}}</ref> The [[International Labour Organization]] (ILO) estimated that, at the end of 2006, 90% of the 40 million construction workers in China were [[migrant worker]]s. Many turned to work after their farming communities collapsed into poverty.<ref name="hrw"/>


In the United States, [[Illegal immigration to the United States|illegal immigrant]] labor is prevalent in the industry. Due to workers' questionable legal status, some employers commit crimes such as [[wage theft]] and violation of workplace standards, running little risk of consequences.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2013/04/10/176677299/construction-booming-in-texas-but-many-workers-pay-dearly|title=Construction Booming In Texas, But Many Workers Pay Dearly|work=National Public Radio (NPR)|year=2013}}</ref> Similar abuse occurred in [[Qatar]] during preparations for the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]] where workers mostly from poor countries in the Indian Sub-continent work in desert conditions for as little as €6.20 a day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/qatar-construction-workers-earn-55c-an-hour-1.1881868|title=Qatar construction workers earn 55c an hour|work=[[Irish Times]]|access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref>
In the United States, [[Illegal immigration to the United States|illegal immigrant]] labor is prevalent in the industry. Due to workers' questionable legal status, some employers commit crimes such as [[wage theft]] and violation of workplace standards, running little risk of consequences.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2013/04/10/176677299/construction-booming-in-texas-but-many-workers-pay-dearly|title=Construction Booming In Texas, But Many Workers Pay Dearly|work=National Public Radio (NPR) |year=2013}}</ref> Similar abuse occurred in [[Qatar]] during preparations for the [[Human rights issues involving the 2022 FIFA World Cup|2022 FIFA World Cup]] where workers, mostly from poor countries in the Indian subcontinent, worked in desert conditions for as little as €6.20 a day.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/qatar-construction-workers-earn-55c-an-hour-1.1881868 |title=Qatar construction workers earn 55c an hour|work=[[Irish Times]]|access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Civil engineering]]
*[[Civil engineering]]
⚫
*[[Construction site safety]]
*[[Dirty, Dangerous and Demeaning]]
*[[Dirty, Dangerous and Demeaning]]
*[[Index of construction articles]]
*[[Index of construction articles]]
*[[List of topics on working time and conditions]]
*[[List of topics on working time and conditions]]
*[[Outline of construction]]
*[[Outline of construction]]
*[[Construction site safety]]
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Construction Worker}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Construction Worker}}
[[Category:Construction and extraction occupations|Worker]]
[[Category:Construction and extraction occupations|Worker]]
[[Category:Occupational safety and health]]

Latest revision as of 16:01, 25 April 2024

Construction worker
Construction workers wearing reflective vests, hard hats, and other protective clothing at a work site in New York City.
Occupation
Activity sectors
Bauwesen
Description
Fields of
employment
Construction sites
Related jobs
Laborer

A construction worker is a worker employed in the physical construction of the built environment and its infrastructure.

Construction Workers in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Definition

[edit]

By some definitions, construction workers may be engaged in manual labour as unskilled or semi-skilled workers.[1] These workers begin by attending to general tasks such as digging, cleaning, and unloading equipment. As they acquire experience, they start to specialize in areas of roofing, pipefitting, structural work, or carpentry. Over time, some opt to receive certification and undergo formal training to ascend their position.[2] In other words, they may be skilled tradespeople, or they may be supervisory or managerial personnel.

Conversely, the United Kingdom safety legislation has defined construction workers as people "who work for or under the control of a contractor on a construction site."[3] In Canada, this can include people whose work includes ensuring conformance with building codes and regulations and those who supervise other workers.[4] Construction workers can colloquially be referred to as "hard hat workers" or "hard hats",[5] as they often wear hard hats for safety while working on construction sites.

Nevertheless, the term is a broad and generic one and most construction workers are primarily described by the specific level and type of work they perform. Laborers comprise a large grouping in most national construction industries. In the United States, for example, in May 2021, the construction sector employed just over 7.5 million people, of whom just over 820,000 were laborers, while 573,000 were carpenters, 508,000 were electricians, 258,000 were equipment operators and 230,000 were construction managers.[6] Like most business sectors, there is also substantial white-collar employment in construction - 681,000 US workers were recorded by the United States Department of Labor as in 'office and administrative support occupations' in May 2021.[7] In 2023, the United States reported that, of the total number of construction workers, 27.7% of workers were Hispanic and around 6.2% were women.[8][9]

Safety

[edit]
Main article: Construction site safety

The construction industry is a high-hazard sector, encompassing alteration and repair. Workers are exposed to various serious hazards, such as falling debris, unguarded machinery, heavy equipment, electrocutions, silica dust, and asbestos.[10] Thus, construction safety is intended to ensure a safe environment for workers, who are required to be educated on safety at each site.[11] Construction workers must remain vigilant by keeping work areas clear, learning safe lifting techniques, being aware of seasonal hazards, and regularly inspecting all equipment, among other preventive measures.[4]

Examples of poor pay and working conditions for migrant workers

[edit]

In 2008, a Human Rights Watch report described unsafe and unfair working conditions in China and a failure on the part of the government to enforce labor standards in the construction industry.[12] The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that, at the end of 2006, 90% of the 40 million construction workers in China were migrant workers. Many turned to work after their farming communities collapsed into poverty.[12]

In the United States, illegal immigrant labor is prevalent in the industry. Due to workers' questionable legal status, some employers commit crimes such as wage theft and violation of workplace standards, running little risk of consequences.[13] Similar abuse occurred in Qatar during preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup where workers, mostly from poor countries in the Indian subcontinent, worked in desert conditions for as little as €6.20 a day.[14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Construction worker definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary". www.collinsdictionary.com. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  2. ^ "Construction Worker Overview". U.S. News & World Report.
  3. ^ "Are you a construction worker? Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) - What you need to know". Health and Safety Executive. HSE. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Construction Worker - General". Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. CCOHS. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  5. ^ "hardhat". Wordnik.com.
  6. ^ "Construction: NAICS 23". US Bureau of Labor Statistics. United States Department of Labor. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Tables - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: National industry-specific and by ownership". US Bureau of Labor Statistics. United States Department of Labor. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Hispanic Employment Dashboard". Data Dashboard. CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  9. ^ "Women in Construction". Data Dashboard. CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  10. ^ "Construction Industry". U.S. Department of Labor.
  11. ^ Gambatese, John A.; Hinze, Jimmie W.; Haas, Carl T. (1997-01-01). "Tool to Design for Construction Worker Safety". Journal of Architectural Engineering. 3 (1): 32–41. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)1076-0431(1997)3:1(32). ISSN 1076-0431.
  12. ^ a b Richardson, Sophie, ed. (12 March 2008). One Year of My Blood: Exploitation of Migrant Construction Workers in Beijing (Technical report). Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  13. ^ "Construction Booming In Texas, But Many Workers Pay Dearly". National Public Radio (NPR). 2013.
  14. ^ "Qatar construction workers earn 55c an hour". Irish Times. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Construction workers.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Construction_worker&oldid=1220734371"