Duties

Construction craft labourers prepare and clean up construction sites, move materials and equipment, and perform demolition, excavation and compaction activities.

They work on a wide variety of buildings, structures and premises including municipal sewer and water mains, roads, dams and bridges, tunnels, railways and canals.

Duties and responsibilities vary from one job to another but, in general, construction craft labourers:

• Handle and distribute construction materials (e.g., load and unload vehicles with supplies, equipment and construction materials; move tools, equipment and construction materials to and from work areas; remove rubble and other debris)
• Excavate, backfill and compact subgrade (e.g., move and level earth using shovels and rakes; operate tampers)
• Place, consolidate and protect cast-in-place concrete or masonry structures (e.g., shovel concrete and other materials into concrete mixers; mix, pour and spread concrete; use concrete vibrators)
• Install municipal sewer and water mains (e.g., dig trenches using shovels and other hand tools; align pipes and perform related activities)
• Assemble and dismantle scaffolding, ramps, catwalks, shoring and barricades at construction sites
• Drill and blast rock at construction sites
• Demolish buildings
• Sort, clean and pile salvaged materials from demolished buildings
• Operate jackhammers and drills to break up concrete or pavement

 

Working Conditions

Construction craft labourers work primarily outdoors, in all weather conditions. Overtime is routinely required during peak construction periods.

There is some risk of injury involved in working on construction sites. Construction craft labourers must wear personal protective equipment - P.P.E. - (i.e., hardhats, gloves and steel-toed boots) and follow safety programs and legislation.