General Construction & Building Maintenance
Work Activities
Clean and prepare construction sites. Remove potential hazards.
Read and interpret plans and instructions to determine activities.
Load and unload trucks and haul materials.
Measure and mark areas to be graded or to erect structures.
Dig ditches and level earth to grade specifications.
Build and position forms for pouring concrete and take apart forms after use.
Mix concrete and other compounds.
Tend machines that pump concrete, grout, sand, plaster, or stucco through spray-gun.
Smooth and finish poured concrete.
Spray materials such as water, sand, vinyl, or paint to clean, coat, or seal surfaces.
Erect and disassemble scaffolding, braces, and other temporary structures.
Use green certified building methods. Reuse materials, produce less waste, and control erosion. May raze buildings or salvage useful parts.
Lubricate, clean, and repair machinery and tools.
Control traffic around work zones.
Assist carpenters, plasterers, masons, and other craft workers.
Weatherize buildings by fixing windows, adding insulation to attics, and weather stripping doors.
May set explosives for tunnel, shaft, and road construction.
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Perform activities that use the whole body
Handle and move objects
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
Get information needed to do the job
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Make decisions and solve problems
Control machines and processes
Identify objects, actions, and events
Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Update and use job-related knowledge
Process information
Think creatively
Evaluate information against standards
Working Conditions
Interpersonal Relationships
Have a medium level of social contact. They usually interact with other workers on the job.
Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of other workers.
Have limited responsibility for the work done by others.
Usually work as part of a team.
Physical Work Conditions
Daily wear gloves, hard hats, safety goggles, or ear plugs, depending on the job.
Often work outdoors, but some workers may work indoors.
Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
Are sometimes exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures when working outdoors.
Are sometimes exposed to contaminants, such as fumes from paints or sealers.
Are sometimes exposed to hazardous equipment. There is some possibility of moderate injury.
Occasionally must work in very bright or very dim lighting conditions.
Are sometimes exposed to hazardous situations that produce cuts or minor burns.
Occasionally are exposed to whole body vibration, such as when using a jackhammer.
May work in an enclosed vehicle, such as a truck or van.
May work physically near others, usually within a few feet.
Work Performance
Must be sure that all details are done and their work is exact. Errors could result in serious safety hazards.
Must allow the work pace to be set by the speed of machinery.
Repeat the same physical activities.
Usually consult a supervisor before making decisions and setting daily tasks and goals.
Hours/Travel
Usually work eight-hour shifts, though longer hours are also common.
May work only during seasons when weather permits construction.
Often must meet strict weekly deadlines.
Physical Demands
General construction workers frequently:
Stand for long periods of time.
Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Repeat the same movements.
Walk or run for long periods of time.
Bend or twist their body.
Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
It is important for general construction workers to be able to:
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
Determine the distance between objects.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Understand the speech of another person.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
It is not as important, but still necessary, for general construction workers to be able to:
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Move arms and legs quickly.
Determine from which direction a sound came.
See objects in very bright or glaring light.
See objects in very low light.
While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
Skills and Abilities
Communicate
Understand spoken information.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Understand written information.
Reason and Problem Solve
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
Work with People
Change behavior in relation to others’ actions.
Be aware of others’ reactions and understand the possible causes.
Work with Things
Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
Knowledge
General construction workers need knowledge in the following areas:
Building and Construction: The tools and methods used to construct buildings, roads, and other structures.
Mechanical: The design, use, and repair of machines and tools.
Administration and Management: How to run a business or group.
Public Safety and Security: How to protect people and property.
Mathematics: The rules and uses of numbers.
Education and Training: The methods of teaching and learning.
Customer and Personal Service: Providing special services to customers based on their needs.
English Language: The meaning and use of the English language.
Interests and Values
Interests
General construction workers typically have the following interests:
Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.
Values
General construction workers typically have the following work values:
Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.