Thursday, September 30, 2010

Construction Laborers; Dangerous Job


Construction laborers can be found on almost all construction sites, performing a wide range of tasks from the very easy to the hazardous. They can be found at building, highway, and heavy construction sites; residential and commercial sites; tunnel and shaft excavations; and demolition sites.

Many of the jobs they perform require physical strength, training, and experience. Other jobs require little skill and can be learned quickly. Although most construction laborers specialize in a type of construction, such as highway or tunnel construction, some are generalists who perform many different tasks during all stages of construction. Construction laborers who work in underground construction, such as in tunnels, or in demolition are more likely to specialize in only those areas.

At heavy and highway construction sites, construction laborers clear and prepare highway work zones and rights of way; install traffic barricades, cones, and markers; and control traffic passing near, in, and around work zones. They also install sewer, water, and storm drain pipes, build manholes, and lay cement and asphalt on roads.

At hazardous waste removal sites, constrution laborers prepare the site and safely remove asbestos, lead, radio active waste, and other hazardous materials. They operate, read, and maintain air monitoring and other sampling devices in confined and/or radioactive materials and clean and docontaminate equipment, buildings, and enclosed structures. Other highly specialized tasks including operating laser guidance equipment to place pipes, operating air and pneumatic drills, and transporting and setting explosives for tunnel, shaft, and road construction.
Photo credit: Google

We have heard news about this laborers that some of them died due to accident. Some fall down from tall construction sight, some from explosion and many others. Yet, these people continue on doing their job.

These people's work are dangerous but they keep on doing so. I believe that they do this not only to earn money but they love their job, that is why that even though this is a hazardous and dangerous work they continue on doing this.




Resources: www.umsl.edu
                 www.collegegrad.com
                 en.wikipedia.org

Monday, September 27, 2010

Tiler: Displays Attractive Design

Have you observe the beautiful floors and walls with its most beautiful decorations. That's the work of a tiler. They make our floors and walls to its most attractive design.
This tilers used tiles in decorating roofs, walls, and floors. They choose the tiles which fits the roofs, walls and floors so that it will become more attractive. Most of their works catches the attention of the people because of its beauty that displays colorful design.

Photo credit: Google
The tiler use the tiles in designing the floors, roofs, and walls. A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, or ever glass. Tiles are generally used for covering roofs, floors, walls, showers, or other objects such as tabletops. Alternatively tile can sometimes refer to similar units made from lightweight materials such as perlite, wood, and mineral wool, typically used for the wall and ceiling applications. Less precisely, the modern term can refer to any sort of construction tile similar object, such as rectangular counters used in playing games. The word is derived from the word tuile, which is, in turn, from the Latin word tegula, meaning a roof tile composed of baked clay.

Photo credit:Google
Tiles are often used by tilers to form wall and floor coverings, and can range from simple square tiles to complex mosaics. Tiles are most often made from ceramics, wit ha hard glaze finish, but other materials are also commonly used, such as glass, marble, granite, slate, and reformed ceramic slurry, which is cast in a mould and fired.

Tilers do have a difficult job. The attractive design and beauty of the walls, roofs, and floors of a certain building or home lies on the hands and talent of the tilers in installing the tiles.



Source: en.wikipedia.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Steel man

A steel man is also known as a steel fabricator. There are many items that are made or assembled by steel fabricators including industrial air conditioning units,automobiles, bridges and even buildings. Before a person can become a steel fabricator, one must obtain his high school diploma and complete a specialized course either through a junior college or a vocational school.

A steelman is one who builds structures out of various raw materials through a variety of methods including shaping, cutting and soldering; therefore it is important to know tha the steel fabricator can specialize in fabrication, cutting metal or welding. Many times a steel fabricator who works in a fabrication shop is not the same steel fabricator who welds the metal together.

Photo credit: Google
Fabrication

 The fabrication process takes place in a fabrication shop, and it consists of preparing the metal for its intended purpose. Fabrication shops have machines that will cut pieces of metal so they are shaped exactly how they need to be for assembly. There are also machines that will bend sheet metal and saw tubing. All the steel fabricator needs to do is set the machines to the appropriate settings and guide the metal through the machine.


Cutting Metal 

There are times when there isn't a machine available to make a certain cut in the metal. In some instances, the machines don't do their job properly, and the steel fabricator will need to make a few adjustments manually. Steel fabricators use cutting torches for this and wear a protective mask over their eyes and face as well as special gloves and clothing.


Welding

 Another essential part of a steel fabricator's job is welding. Welding is done when metal is being assembled, or attached, to another piece of metal. Welding is an art all by itself and takes a lot of knowledge to do correctly. A welder needs to know how to create various welds and how heat conditions will affect that weld. Welders have to wear special gear to protect their eyes, hands and body while they are welding.




Source: www.ehow.com

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Painters and Paperhangers

A finished building or a newly constructed building looks attractive and unique not only of its design but because of its color and paint which was done by the painters and paperhangers.

Painters and paperhangers are often the last line of the construction workers to finish a project before the tenants occupy the structure. These two professions provide not only aesthetic considerations for a bare structure, but their paint and paper enhance the natural shape of a building and provide additional protection from weather, wear and tear, and natural aging process.
Photo credit: Google
These skilled workers must have knowledge of not only their crafts, but the appropriate amount of chemicals needed to finish it, how different surfaces need different materials, and finally a bit of an artistic touch to ensure everything proceed smoothly.

Paint and wall coverings make surfaces attractive, fashionable, and bright. These treatment are not only stylish, but also protective. Paints and other sealers protect outside surfaces from rain, snow and ice, and sunlight.

Painters and paperhangers perform some of the same tasks and both jobs require some of the same skills, including an eye for color, good hand-eye coordination,and neatness. In addition, painters and
paperhangers must make a lot of decisions in choosing and applying the right paint and paper, vinyl, or fabric wall coverings for the job.
Photo credit: Google
Most painters and paperhangers work 40 hours a week or less. About 25% have variable schedules or work part time. They must stand for long periods, often working from scaffolding and ladders. Their jobs also require a considerable amount of climbing, bending kneeling and stretching. These workers must have good stamina because much of the work is done with their arms raised overhead. Painters, especially industrial painters, often works outdoors almost always in dry, warm weather. Those who paint bridges or building infrastructure may be exposed to extreme heights and uncomfortable positions; some painters work suspended with ropes or cable.

Though their work is a a hard work but for sure we know that they are happy with it because it attracts the people through its paint and color.


Resources: www.resource4constructionsiteaccidents.com
                 http://www.collegeboard.com/

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Welder

In construction, it is but the tasks of a welder to join  the materials together by welding, such materials are metals like steel, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, etc. most of the construction uses steel. Welders are the one who join the steel together in order that it will be use for constructing building and thus it helps and the steel is the one that supports the building to be firm. A mixed cement is poured into the fabricated steel.

A welder is a tradesman who specializes in welding materials together. The materials to be joined can be metal (such as steel, aluminum, brass stainless steel and others.) or varieties of a plastic or a polymer.


A welder has a very risky job and needs proper precautions appropriate for the process. Because many common welding procedures involve an open electric arc or flame, the risk of burns is significant. However with the use of new technology and proper protection the risk of injury and death associated with welding can be greatly reduced. To prevent them, welders wear personal protective equipment in the form of heavy leather gloves and protective long sleeves jacket to avoid exposure to extreme heat and flames. Additionally, the brightness of the weld area leads to a condition called arc eye in which ultraviolet light causes the inflammation of the cornea and can burn the retinas of the eyes. That's the cause why sometimes some welders would often complain of having an itchy and painful feelings with their eyes and it turn to red. That is because sometimes they lack protection before doing their job. They need to wear goggles and welding helmets with dark face plates to prevent this exposure.


Welders are also often exposed to dangerous gases and particulate matter. Process like flux-cored arc welding and sheilded metal arc welding produced smoke containing particles of various types of oxides, which in some cases can lead to medical conditions like metal fume fever. Additionally, many processes produce fumes and various gases, most commonly carbon dioxide and ozone, that can prove dangerous if ventilization is inadequate. Furthermore, because the use of ompressed gases and flames in many welding processes pose an explosion and fire risk, some common precautions include limiting the amount of oxygen in the air and keeping combustible materials away from the workplace.

Welding can be a dangerous job for welders but still they continue doing their job to contribute their skills to the community.




Source: en.wikipedia.org