Laborer: Difference between revisions
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{{Lead rewrite|date=November 2009}} |
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{{Infobox Occupation |
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| name = Laborer |
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| image = [[Image:Laborer.jpg|230px]] |
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| caption = Laborer at work |
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| official_names = |
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<!------------Details-------------------> |
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| type = [[Profession]] |
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| activity_sector = Construction |
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| competencies = Patience with supervisory staff selected by nepotism not skill |
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| formation = |
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| employment_field = Construction site |
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| related_occupation = [[Heavy equipment operator]], [[Ironworker]], [[Concrete finisher|Cement Mason]], [[Carpentry|Carpenter]], [[Teamster]], [[Hod carrier]], [[Construction engineering]] |
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| average_salary = |
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}} |
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A '''Laborer''' or '''labourer''' - see [[American and British English spelling differences#-our, -or|variation in english spelling]] - is one of the [[construction]] trades, traditionally considered unskilled [[manual labor]], as opposed to [[skilled labor]].{{Clarify|date=November 2009}} In the [[division of labor]], laborers have all [[blasting]], [[Laborer hand tools|hand tools]], [[power tool]]s, [[air tools]], and small [[heavy equipment]], and act as assistants to other trades,<ref>Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Construction Laborers, on the Internet at [http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos248.htm U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics] (visited May 31, 2008).</ref> e.g., operators or cement masons. The 1st century BC engineer [[Vitruvius]] writes in detail about laborer practices at that time. In his experience a good crew of laborers is just as valuable as any other aspect of construction. Other than the addition of [[pneumatic]]s, laborer practices have changed little. With the advent of advanced technology and its introduction into the construction field, the laborers have been quick to include much of this technology as being laborers work. |
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==Tools and equipment== |
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[[File:Vladimir Putin 22 March 2002-4.jpg|thumb|230px|mining laborers - note the unsafe condition caused by a visiting politico not wearing a hardhat - and should be listening not talking.]] |
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Laborers are typically required to provide their own basic hand tools. The following tools are considered a minimum: [[hammer]], [[Diagonal pliers|pliers w/ side-cutters]], [[utility knife]], [[tape measure]], locking pliers, [[Adjustable spanner|crescent wrench]], [[screwdriver]], [[masonry trowel|margin trowel]], [[carpenter's pencil]] or [[soapstone]], tool belt and one pouch. In addition: a [[five gallon bucket]] with additional tools, [[All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment|toolbelt suspenders]], [[Canteen (bottle)|water jug]] and lunchbox are recommended. Most [[safety equipment]] that is consumed or work specific, for example [[hard hat]], [[safety glasses]], [[hearing protection]], gloves, [[Safety harness|fall protection]], [[High-visibility clothing]], [[Wellington boot|concrete boots]], [[respirator]]/[[dust mask]] and [[Steel-toe boots|toe guards]][http://www.ellwoodsafety.com/foot_and_toe_guards.html] are provided by the employer as part of [[construction site safety]]. Personal safety equipment, for example full leather boots (some long time laborers believe steel toes are dangerous on construction site; it is better to have crushed toes than toes cut off by the crushed steel), high strength pants [[Carhartt]] or [[Jeans]], [[sock]]s, [[Lip balm]], and climate specific [[outerwear]] (unless laborers are instructed to work in a climate different from what they typically reside in, for example high elevation), are provided by the individual. |
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==Types of work== |
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Some of the work done by laborers includes:'''<ref>Laborers' Local 185, Scope of Work, on the Internet at [http://www.laborerslocal185.com/scope_of_work.htm Laborers Local 185, Welcome Home] (visited May 31, 2008).</ref> |
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*[[concrete]] - [[shotcrete]], [[gunite]], [[grouting]] and [[formwork|steel forms]] |
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*[[Pavement (material)|paving]] - white paving formwork, [[traffic control]], [[road surface marking|striping]], signs |
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*[[piping]] - [[water pipe]], [[sanitary sewer|sewer]] and [[storm drain]] |
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*[[utilities|dry utilities]] - [[electrical conduit]] and [[Electrical conduit|communications conduit]] |
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*[[demolition]] - [[concrete saw|concrete cutting]], pavement breaking, [[cutting torch]] |
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*[[tunnels]] - [[drilling]] and [[blasting]] |
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*[[hod carrier]] - [[masonry|block masonry]], [[plaster]]ers and [[fireproofing]] |
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*[[environmental remediation]] and [[hazardous waste]] |
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*[[fence]]s and [[landscaping]] |
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Much of the work traditionally claimed by laborers is merely work that did not fit into any other workforce's labor classification. These other [[list of construction trades|classifications]] (in order of prestige) typically include the [[heavy equipment operator]]s, [[ironworkers]], [[carpenter]]s, [[concrete finisher|masons]], [[teamsters]]/truck drivers and [[hod carrier]]s. In addition, work that typically was shunned by [[journeymen]] of other [[trade union]]s tradesman/craftsman or was given to their [[apprentices]] is generally done by laborers in the absence of apprentices. |
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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 [[skid steer]], [[Street sweeper|kick-brooms]] and [[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 [[Klein Tools|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. |
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==Pay== |
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The pay for a union laborer is equal or greater than most work available to anyone with a bachelor degree, making this one of the few fields where someone without a high school degree can still earn a [[living wage]]. Union, heavy construction and highway construction laborers earn on average (2008 US) $25.47/h compared to 13.72/h for non-union laborers<ref>Laborers' International Union of North America, Better Jobs, on the Internet at [http://www.liuna.org/BetterJobs/tabid/55/Default.aspx Laborers' International Union of North America] (visited May 31, 2008).</ref> In addition to paid earnings, union laborers enjoy the benefits of medical insurance, vacation pay, pension plans, representation and vocational schools. It is not uncommon for young [[civil engineers]], [[construction management|construction managers]] and [[construction engineering|construction engineers]] to earn less than their apprentice laborers. However, unlike engineers, laborers are not usually employed full time year round. The additional pay they receive is often balanced out by the lesser unemployment checks they receive while out of work. These unemployment checks supplement the winter pay laborers often earn as independent contractors and ''under-the-table'' work. On average young engineers earn (2007 US$) 40,000 to 60,000 while union laborers on average earn 50,000 to 80,000. Engineers are not immune to being out of work, in heavy civil work some are employed on a project basis. They are not guaranteed a place on any subsequent projects, though this is in practice often the case. The value of work put in place by laborers and the value of avoided rework and increased efficiencies produced by the engineers' planning is a balance of resource utilization on any large project. Union laborers earn more than [[unfree labour|unfree labor]] and can be an avenue for those who are uneducated and with no resources to become educated and with resources. |
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==Hazards and conditions== |
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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 (mineral)|lime]] sensitivity), [[pneumoconiosis|lung disease]], missing finger nails and skin scars. [[Alcoholism]], [[Performance enhancing drug|drug use]], and [[drug abuse]] are 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 [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] due to [[medical marijuana]] prescriptions. Some who have been dismissed for failing a drug test while possessing a prescription have been later reinstated with pay as having been [[Wrongful dismissal|wrongfully terminated]]. The Laborers' International Union of North America ([[LIUNA]]) represents laborers on public and private projects. Some of the business representatives are laborers who have been so severely injured they can no longer labor. With a phone call and a good reason they will be on-site the next morning asking questions and demanding apologies for mistreatment of laborers. |
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This job, at times, and depending on who is in charge, qualifies for the [[3D's]], '''D'''irty, [[Risk|'''D'''angerous]] and [[Demeaning|'''D'''emeaning]], or showing global connotation, as the Japanese say it ''[[wiktionary:汚い|kitanai]]'', ''[[wiktionary:危険|kiken]]'', and ''[[wiktionary:きつい|kitsui]].'' <ref>"Dirty, Dangerous and Demeaning." [[Wikipedia]], The Free Encyclopedia. 14 May 2008, 17:01 UTC. [[Wikimedia Foundation]], Inc. 1 June 2008. [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dirty%2C_Dangerous_and_Demeaning&oldid=212387461 Dirty, Dangerous and Demeaning.]</ref> Many other times laboring is a very gratifying job with lots of fresh air ([[pneumoconiosis|jobsite air quality]]) and sunshine. The sheer hardship, [[drudgery]] and physical demands of the job ensure that there is always a shortage of good laborers. But, as happens - mistakes can be made and Laborers have been asked to go forward with ill made plans; [[The Charge of the Light Brigade (poem)|"'Forward, the Laborer crew!']] Was there a man dismay'd? Not tho' the crew knew someone had blunder'd: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Into the worksite of Death". |
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==See also== |
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* [[navvy]], particularly applied to describe the manual laborers working on major civil engineering projects |
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==External links== |
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;Organizations: |
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*[http://www.laborerslocal185.com/ Laborers Local 185, Welcome Home] |
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*[http://www.ncdc-laborers.org/ Northern California District Council of Laborers (NCDCL)] |
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*[http://www.kleintools.com/ Klein Tolls Inc.] |
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*[http://www.liuna.org/ Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA)] |
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;Construction Engineering & Management Education: |
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*[http://www.construction.calpoly.edu California Polytechnic State University] |
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*[http://cm.csuchico.edu/ California State University] |
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*[http://www.csus.edu/cm Sacramento State] |
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*[http://cem.stanford.edu/programs/construction/ Stanford University] |
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;Occupational Outlook Handbook: |
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*[http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm All occupations] at U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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*[http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos248.htm Laborors] at U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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*[http://www.careervoyages.gov/occupationdesc-acinet-results.cfm?streamingvideostring=Eng/47-2061.00&industry=construction&multipleyesno=no&soccode=472061&photoyesno=yes Career Voyages - Good Jobs, Better Pay, Brighter Future] |
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*[http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm Wages, Earnings, and Benefits] at [[U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]] |
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*[http://www.hse.gov.uk/index.htm Health and Safety Executive] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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[[Category:Construction trades workers]] |
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[[ar:عامل (مهنة)]] |
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[[ay:Irnaqiri]] |
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[[az:İşçi]] |
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[[ca:Treballador]] |
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[[cs:Dělník]] |
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[[de:Arbeiter]] |
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[[es:Trabajador]] |
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[[eo:Laboristo]] |
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[[eu:Langile]] |
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[[fr:Ouvrier]] |
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[[gl:Traballador]] |
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[[hr:Radnik]] |
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[[it:Operaio]] |
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[[nl:Arbeider]] |
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[[ne:श्रमिक]] |
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[[ja:ブルーカラー]] |
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[[no:Blåsnipparbeider]] |
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[[pt:Trabalhador]] |
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[[ru:Работник]] |
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[[sv:Arbetare]] |
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[[tr:İşçi]] |
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[[ur:نیلے گریبان کارکن]] |
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[[zh:藍領]] |
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Revision as of 09:01, 26 September 2011
Its someone who works