Construction
Construction is the process of constructing a building
or infrastructure. Construction differs from manufacturing in that
manufacturing typically involves mass production of similar items without a
designated purchaser, while construction typically takes place on location for
a known client. Construction as an industry comprises six to nine percent of
the gross domestic product of developed countries. Construction starts with
planning, design, and financing; and continues until the project is built and
ready for use.
Large-scale construction requires collaboration across
multiple disciplines. An architect normally manages the job, and a construction
manager, design engineer, construction engineer or project manager supervises
it. For the successful execution of a project, effective planning is essential.
Those involved with the design and execution of the infrastructure in question
must consider zoning requirements, the environmental impact of the job, the
successful scheduling, budgeting, construction-site safety, availability and
transportation of building materials, logistics, inconvenience to the public
caused by construction delays and bidding, etc. The largest construction projects are referred to as
megaprojects.
Construction
worker
A construction worker is a tradesperson, labourer (by
tradition considered an unskilled tradesperson), or professional employed in
the physical construction of the built environment and its infrastructure.
Description
The term construction worker is a generic term and most
construction workers are primarily described by the type of work they perform
(their trade). Construction workers may also be colloquially being referred to
as "hard hat workers" or "hard hats", as they often wear
hardhats for safety. Construction workers often work under a construction
foreman.
While most construction workers learn on the job as an
informal apprentice to an experienced tradesman, formal apprenticeship programs
are common, particularly in developed countries with trade unions.
Trades
The division of labor of construction encompasses a
diverse range of skilled and manual labor. Among the most common construction
trades are those of carpenter, electrician, heavy equipment operator,
ironworker, laborer, mason, plasterer, plumber, pipefitter, sheet metal worker,
steel fixer (also known as a "rodbuster"), and welder.
Safety
Construction safety is very important to ensure a safe
environment for the workers. All construction workers need to be educated on
safety at each construction site to minimize injury.
Controversy
In 2008, a Human Rights Watch report described unsafe
and unfair working conditions and failure on the part of the Chinese government
to enforce labor standards in the construction industry. The International
Labor Organization (ILO) estimated that, at the end of 2006, 90% of the 40
million construction workers in China were migrant workers. Many of the migrant
workers turned to construction work after their farming communities collapsed
into poverty.
In the United States, illegal immigrant labor is
prevalent in the construction industry. Because of the questionable legal
status of these workers, employers often have the ability to commit crimes such
as wage theft and violation of workplace standards without fear of facing
consequences. Similar abuse of immigrant labor is also a problem in Qatar
during the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup where workers mostly from poor
Asian countries are forced to work in desert conditions for as little as €6.20
a day.
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