What is the Life of a Construction Worker?

“You can dream, create, design, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it requires people to make the dream a reality”. 

I think the so-called people mentioned by Walt Disney in this quote are the construction workers. They are the ones who give life to different concepts of building. Construction is an integral part of a country’s infrastructure and industrial development. It includes hospitals, schools, offices, houses, railways, roads, etc.

Being a construction worker is a challenging profession. They improve the nation’s infrastructure. A construction worker has to spend more time in the construction field than at home. They have to work irrespective of climatic changes. The majority of them are daily wage workers. Six days a week is their casual schedule, occasionally they have to work for seven days.

They have to compromise their health in harsh climates and hazardous environments or sites. They are exposed to wind, rain, cold, and heat. Continuous exposure to the sun for a longer period can cause skin cancer. A construction site is a risky and often dangerous field. Therefore, workers are advised to take an insurance policy as a precaution.

Worker Compensation Insurance Policy covers the legal liability of an employee. The insurance provides compensation in case of any accidental death and physical disabilities that happened during work on the construction site. People who work in factories, plantations, mines, construction sites, hazardous sites, etc can claim under this insurance policy. Construction worker insurance can act as a helping hand for workers and their families. 

Construction workers do a wide range of tasks varying from extremely difficult to simple ones. The level of difficulty depends on the construction site to which they belong. This industry requires skilled workers. Different jobs come under the title of construction. Some of them are electricians, bricklayers, carpenters, and welders. The pay scale depends upon the task they perform. 

Some Duties of a Construction Worker 

• Loading and unloading of raw materials to be used for construction.
• Arrange the work site properly by removing the obstacles and hazardous elements.
• Trench digging, preparation of the earth for construction.
• Machine operation. Machines like concrete mixers have to be operated.

A construction worker has to compromise their physique for earning. They need to carry heavy loads on their back. Bricks are piled over their head for transport to different sections of construction. Sometimes they have to carry heavy loads to great heights. Improper lifting and carrying can cause damage to the body. Elevators are there for help. But working at great heights is dangerous too. Slips or falls can cause injury. People who work in tunnels also face many challenges. Safety is the priority. 

Workers have to wear gloves, helmets, safety glasses, and other protective gear for their safety. 

The Building and Other Constructions Workers Act (BOCW Act) and the Building and Other Constructions Workers Welfare Cess Act are the main two acts implemented to ensure the safety of construction workers.

Female Construction Workers

Construction is the second largest and fastest growing industry in India. About 51% of total construction workers are women. The majority of women workers are involved in unskilled labor while men are involved in skilled labor. Many turn to this field due to their poor living conditions and poverty.

Women workers are paid less than male co-workers. They have to work for more than ten hours a day. Harsh working conditions are vulnerable to women’s health. Exposure to chemicals or other materials can result in various illnesses. It can affect the health of future generations too. Without considering these not only women, but men are also trying hard to meet both ends of their family

Migrant Workers

They are the ones who shifted from their remote villages in hope of a steady daily income. The majority of them are from poor socioeconomic backgrounds, lacking education and formal training. The number of farmers in India is declining recently.

Changing climate causes irregular rainfall, which affects farmers badly. Both drought and heavy rainfall challenged farmers. Therefore many dropped the idea of farming and got shifted to other fields. Since the construction industry is always in demand of labor, many agricultural laborers came to the construction field. 

Cherishing Moment

Construction workers are the ones who get in touch with the latest trends in the construction field. After months of hard work, workers can see the fruits of their labor. The happiness and delight the workers experience by witnessing the thrill and happiness of building owners are priceless. Their happiness is unexplainable and they are beyond words. Also being a construction worker enables one to work on different projects. Technology influenced the construction industry too.

Many technological advancements are happening to ensure the safety of workers and to make the workplace more efficient. Many manual tasks are converted to automated ones. Drones, construction robots, and 3D printing are some of the technological advancements.

A construction worker is a part of a global industry. They contribute to the advancement of the economy by the construction of infrastructure like houses, schools and hospitals. Every construction is unique and it will have its difficulties. Adaptation to new circumstances happens after every work. It is, however, necessary to understand the details of the construction industry before choosing a career in it.

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