Laborer

One of the construction trades, traditionally considered unskilled labor (as opposed to skilled labor). In the division of labor, laborers have all blasting, hand tools, air tools, and small heavy equipment, and act as assistants to other trades, i.e. operators or cement masons. With the advent of modern technology and its introduction into the construction field, the laborers have been quick to include much of this technology as being laborers work.

Laborers are typically required to provide their own basic hand tools. The following tools are considered a minimum: hammer, pliers (side-cutters), utility knife, tape measure, vise-grips, cresent wrench, screwdriver, margin trowel (masonry trowel), carpenter's pencil or soapstone, tool belt and pouches. In addition: a five gallon bucket with additional tools, toolbelt suspenders, water jug and lunchbox is recommended. Most safety equipment that is consumed or work specific e.g. hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, fall protection, high-visibility clothing, concrete boots, respirator/dust mask and toe guards is provided by the employer. Personal safety equipment e.g. full leather boots, high strength pants, socks, chapstick, and climate specific outerwear, is provided by the individual.

Some types of work done by laborers:

concrete, shotcrete, gunite and grouting, steel concrete formwork

paving, white paving formwork, traffic control, striping (road surface marking), signs

piping-- waterpipe, sewer and storm drain

dry utilities--electrical conduit and communications conduit

demolition--concrete cutting (concrete saw), pavement breaking, cutting torch

tunnels, drilling and blasting

hod carrier for block masonry and plasterers (fireproofing)

environmental remediation and hazardous waste

fences and landscaping

Much of the work traditionally claimed by laborers is merely work that did not fit into any other labor classification. These other classifications (in order of prestige) typically include the operators (heavy equipment operator), ironworkers, carpenters, masons (masonry)(concrete finisher), teamsters (truck drivers) and hodcarriers. In addition work that typically was shunned by journeymen of other trade union (craftsman) (tradesman) or was given to their apprentices is generally done by laborers in the absence of apprentices.

An example is the operators who in the division of labor have all the equipment. Most operators will not operate equipment they perceive as lowly such as bobcats (skid steer), kick-brooms (Street sweeper) or telescopic handlers, laborers usually are used to operate these unless an operator apprentice is available and demands his right to operate. The same is true for most other trades except the ironworkers who are notorious for protecting their work and not wanting anyone else to touch their steel, tie-wire or Kliens. The advantage to this system is that many laborers gain sufficient experience working with another trade to journeyman-in while earning a higher wage than an apprentice. Many foremen will gradually give a laborer extra responsibility until they are performing at a journeyman level and can enter a more skilled union as a journeyman.

The pay for a union laborer is equal or greater than most work available to anyone with a bachelor’s degree, making this one of the few fields where someone without a high school degree can still earn a living wage. It is not uncommon for young civil engineers to be earning less than their laborers. Union laborers earn more than unfree labour and can be an avenue for those who are uneducated and with no resources to become educated and with resources.

There are dangers accociated with laboring. Many laborers are severely injured or killed by accident each year while performing work duties. Many who work as laborers for even a short period of time will suffer from permanent work injuries such as: hearing loss, arthritis, osteoarthritis, back injuries, eye injury, head injury, chemical burn (lime sensitivity), lung disease, missing nails and skin scars. Alcoholism and drug use (drug abuse) is common although most companies require drug screening for all new hires. If a laborer is injured on the job they are immediately given a drug test. If the test results are positive then they are ineligible for any Workers' compensation benefits. There is a gray area for the use of marijuana due to medical marijuana prescriptions. Some who have been terminated for failing a drug test while possessing a prescription have been later reinstated with pay as having been wrongfully terminated.

This job, at times, and depending on who is in charge, qualifies for the 3D's, Dirty, Dangerous and Demeaning, or showing global connotation, as the Japanese say it kitanai, kiken, and kitsui. Many other times laboring is a very gratifying job with lots of fresh air (jobsite air quality) and sunshine (climate). The shear hardship, drudgery and physical demands of the job ensure that there is always a shortage of good laborers.