Construction Craft Laborer Standards and Skills

Skills:

1. Explain the impact of Massachusetts General Laws and regulations on the construction industry and identify key regulations, compliance requirements, and licensing requirements.
2. Apply Massachusetts General Laws and regulations as they relate to hoisting machinery.
3. Explain how modern EPA regulations have changed the construction industries and evaluate industry best practices employed to address these regulations.

Skills:

1. Interpret print terms, abbreviations, symbols, line types, symbols, and notes of technical drawings and blueprints.
2. Explain the basic layout of a set of prints, as well as the importance of the accompanying job specifications documents in determining work requirements.
3. Interpret and follow drawing dimensions using an architect’s scale.
4. Examine state and local building codes, inspection processes, and zoning regulations.
5. Demonstrate the use of drawing to mark reference points on construction materials to maintain precision and reduce errors.
6. Develop a comprehensive schedule outlining tasks and key checkpoints from project initiation to completion.
7. Calculate the cost of job site preparation to include in project bid.
8. Calculate quantities of materials required for a job and create a material takeoff sheet.
9. Calculate and provide documentation for a project bid, including material, labor, contingencies, and overhead costs.
10. Demonstrate effective communication with clients, contractors, and other tradespeople to understand project requirements, address concerns, and deliver satisfactory outcomes.
11. Explain management roles and responsibility of a job site supervisor/foremen.

Skills:

1. Select and use layout, marking, and measuring tools.
2. Select and use fastening, clamping, and dismantling tools.
3. Select and use sawing, drilling, and boring tools.
4. Select and use planing, shaping, and smoothing tools.
5. Set up and operate portable circular saws, portable drills, screw guns, and equipment.
6. Set up and operate diamond-blade wet saws, electric, and gas-powered mixers.
7. Select and use masonry tools for tending.
8. Select and use surveying and pneumatic equipment.

Skills:

1. Explain all working parts of hoisting machinery and purposes of rigging components to ensure safe operating practices.
2. Utilize rigging component charts to determine the proper type and size of devices required for specific tasks.
3. Calculate and apply appropriate sling angle in accordance with industry standards.
4. Use appropriate terminology to communicate with the crane operator by headset or radio.
5. Use correct hand signals for collaborating with the crane operator during a lift.
6. Follow visual instructions on displayed posted signs.

Skills:

1. Interpret project drawings and blueprints to determine desired grades and/or levels of the job site surface.
2. Identify and demonstrate use of measuring devices, grade rods, GPS receivers, plumb bobs, laser auto levels, and engineer’s rules.
3. Maintain clear and direct communication with job site personnel, including use of standardized hand signals to enhance job performance and promote site safety.
4. Maintain accurate and current field documentation to record progress and changes, ensuring compliance with job specifications and regulatory requirements.
5. Demonstrate accurate depth perception within defined parameters to improve job accuracy.

Skills:

1. Identify and establish site access and egress to ensure safety and efficiency of construction operations.
2. Select and inspect scaffolding and components to ensure structural integrity.
3. Implement the use load tables to determine the expected load on scaffold and supporting structure.
4. Establish adequate footing in compliance with regulations.
5. Erect scaffold to print specifications including accurate dimensions from the structure.
6. Perform daily inspection of critical structural and safety areas for damage, corrosion, and wear, making alterations or repairs as needed.

Skills:

1. Set up appropriate signage and barricades to meet jobsite safety requirements.
2. Select bricklaying and blocklaying materials to meet job specifications.
3. Use mechanical lifting devices to load, move, unload, locate, and/or install materials.
4. Operate mixing equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Calculate and mix mortar to meet specifications of the project.
6. Demonstrate proper cleaning techniques for brick/block work surfaces and cavities to remove excess mortar.

Skills:

1. Interpret job specifications to determine appropriate materials for forming, scaffolding, and concrete placement.
2. Demonstrate set up and use of differential leveling equipment including lasers, levels, and transits.
3. Clean and prepare surfaces for application of appropriate bonding.
4. Explain and apply soil density and testing practices and procedures.
5. Explain and apply principles of soil compaction in operation of compaction equipment.

1. Locate, layout, and mark indented excavation areas according to job specifications and requirements.
2. Identify service markers or taped areas to prevent damage to underground utilities or infrastructure.
3. Excavate post holes, small pits, and trenches to precise dimensions as specified.
4. Execute procedures to prevent trench collapse effectively.
5. Collaborate with machine operator to ensure predetermined route, line, and depth.

1. Identify authorities responsible for site isolation and required traffic control.
2. Classify and provide detailed descriptions of pipelayer types, including their characteristics, technical capabilities, and limitations.
3. Explain and apply pipelayer and attachment operating techniques.
4. Demonstrate methods of changing machine attachments.
5. Apply terminology commonly used in civil construction.
6. Explain the importance of and apply basic soil technology principles for civil work projects.
7. Explain and apply the significance of groundwater characteristics in civil construction work.
8. Operate drills needed for pipelaying tasks.
9. Maintain inventories of explosives and associated materials.
10. Identify and apply types of valves and their functions.
11. Inspect, evaluate, and repair any shorted casings in a pipeline system.
12. Examine and apply characteristics of various coating systems.
13. Select and use appropriate equipment to apply methods of cleaning.

Skills:

1. Interpret the specifications of the site demolition plan.
2. Confirm that all existing services have been disconnected.
3. Select tools and equipment consistent with the requirements of the demolition site.
4. Set up and operate an air compressor and hoses, pneumatic tools, and various safety equipment in preparation to demolish a pre-poured reinforced concrete slab.
5. Identify hazardous materials for handling in accordance with workplace requirements and current industry standards.

Skills:

1. Demonstrate the selection of welding personal protective equipment (PPE).
2. Demonstrate shielded metal arc welding skills to fabricate various metal products.
3. Identify, place, and operate fire extinguishers effectively.
4. Apply preventive strategies to avoid safety hazards posed by welding in a wet environment or by exposed current-carrying elements.
5. Identify the polarities used in welding operations to ensure desired weld quality.
6. Describe and demonstrate the operation and safety procedures of oxy-acetylene welding.

Skills:

1. Apply the whole house approach to weatherization.
2. Describe the types of energy systems and how they work.
3. Differentiate and apply the Thermal Envelope and the Pressure Envelope.
4. Select insulation materials for optimizing energy efficiency and maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures including consideration of R-Values and U-Values.
5. Describe the tools and materials used to construct and seal a new home.
6. Demonstrate and explain the procedures involved in sealing the Building Envelope.
7. Explain the importance of proper ventilation in a home and demonstrate techniques for identifying air leakage in a home.
8. Compare, select, and use products to seal leaks and maximize energy efficiency.