Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers

Nature of work

Construction trades helpers and labourers help skilled tradespersons and do labouring activities at construction sites, in quarries and in surface mines. They work for construction companies, trade and labour contractors, and surface mine and quarry operators.

Job duties

Construction trades helpers and labourers:

• Load and unload construction materials and move materials to work areas.
• Build and take down concrete forms, scaffolding, ramps, catwalks, shoring and barriers needed at construction sites.
• Mix, pour and spread materials like concrete and asphalt.
• Help tradespersons like carpenters, bricklayers, cement finishers, roofers and glaziers in construction activities.
• Help heavy equipment operators to secure special attachments to equipment, signal operators to guide them in moving equipment and provide help in other activities.
• Help line up pipes and do related activities during oil and gas pipeline construction.
• Help in drilling and blasting rock at construction sites.
• Help miners in excavating and in setting up and operating drills and other surface mining machinery.
• Level earth to fine grade specifications using rake and shovel.
• Help demolish buildings using prying bars and other tools, and sort, clean and pile salvaged materials.
• Remove rubble and other debris at construction sites using rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows and other equipment.
• Use air hammers, vibrators and tampers as directed.
• Tend or feed machines or equipment used in construction like mixers, compressors and pumps.
• Clean up chemical spills and other contaminants and remove asbestos and other hazardous materials.
• Oil and grease hoists and similar equipment.
• Direct traffic at or near construction sites.
• Complete other activities at construction sites, as directed.

Sample job titles

• asphalt spreader
• bricklayer helper
• carpenter helper
• concrete mixer helper
• concrete paving labourer
• construction craft worker
• construction helper
• construction labourer
• demolition worker
• driller helper - surface mining
• drywall sander
• excavation labourer
• flagman/woman
• glazier helper
• pipeline mandrel operator
• plumber helper
• roofer helper
• stabber - pipeline construction

Skills

You need good health, physical stamina and strength. Agility, coordination, and a mechanical ability would be helpful. You must be able to take direction and be able to follow instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

• Some high school education may be required.
• On-the-job training is provided.
• Some experience as a general construction labourer may be needed for construction trade helpers.
• Some pipeline workers, like stabbers, mandrel operators and pre-heater tenders, usually need one season of experience in oil and gas pipeline construction.
• Flagmen/women may need a traffic control certificate.
• Red Seal certification is available for qualified construction craft workers.

Other considerations

Most construction trades helpers and labourers work full-time, but often for only part of the year because this work is highly seasonal. Some experience as a general construction labourer may be required for construction trade helpers and some pipeline workers like stabbers, mandrel operators and pre-heater tenders, usually require one season of experience in oil and gas pipeline construction. Movement is possible among workers in this unit group.

Regulations

Contacts

There are currently no job postings for this occupation.