A skilled worker in the trade of working concrete is a concrete labourer or concreter. They can work on a range of concrete-related jobs, such as setting and pouring concrete forms, repairing, preserving, and finishing concrete in engineering and building projects.
Concrete workers or concreters are employed in the construction of concrete work, including sidewalks, curbs, floors, bridges, staircases, and other commercial buildings and structures. Other names for individuals in the concrete industry include concrete masons, concrete finishers, cement masons, and concrete workers.
In this blog, we are going to tell you everything you need to know before you become a concreter.
Construction Industry Trends
The COVID-19 pandemic altered how the construction sector conducts business since last year, affecting everything from project scheduling and closure to employee hiring and client meetings. Future industrial trends will be impacted by the pandemic’s effects in a number of ways.
The construction site is constantly changing, new technology is making it easier to win jobs, and profit margins are rising. The roles of frontline employees and industry professionals are evolving due to trends and movements. Here we have listed some trends in the construction business that you should know before you become a concreter.
Equipment for Protection
The industry is seeing an increase in equipment that can spot typical safety concerns and remove them one at a time. Work boots that link to Wi-Fi and notify others if someone has fallen are examples of wearable technology that are making their way to construction sites.
Material-moving “mules” move bulky or dangerous items, while robots with specific tasks build scaffolding or place bricks on their own. While keeping workers aware of their surroundings, headsets can even actively reduce noise pollution.
Advanced Technology
The most important distinction for developers and builders this year is probably going to be technology, particularly developments that might increase efficiency. Additionally, there has been a rise in the utilisation of building technologies since the COVID-19 epidemic.
Smart contracts, construction drones, augmented reality, and building information modelling is a few examples of technologies that will only grow in popularity until 2022 and beyond.
Expanding Labour Market
A significant rise in the demand for workers is one of the most obvious building developments of recent years. Although robots do take up a lot of the slack, quality labour is expensive and in high demand.
Despite these robots’ best efforts, managing and interpreting the data generated by new technology will require the assistance of highly educated employees. Thankfully, more and more women are assuming roles that need greater competition.
According to Women Building Australia, female participation in the construction industry has increased yearly. Today in Australia, over 62,00 women are employed in the construction industry and account for nearly 19% of the total workforce.
Mobile Access and Remote Worksites
Real-time inspections, on-site accountability, and precise measurements obtained with a mobile phone camera are all made possible by mobile applications in the construction sector.
Teams were required to continue working together during COVID-19 despite being without physical access to resources, locations, or even fellow teammates. In the future, those without full mobile connectivity will have lower productivity and sales.
Increasing Material Prices
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Producer Price Index for products used in construction increased by 3.8% this quarter and 12.2% over the past twelve months. Rising borrowing rates will probably compound all costs, putting additional strain on the entire building industry.
Supply chain instability and high shipping costs, together with ongoing skilled labour shortages are continuing to drive up construction costs.
Maintaining project volume and fending off this cost pressure will depend heavily on drones, augmented reality, and BIM technology. Even while they ultimately result in greater cost savings for users in the long term, innovative living materials and technologies may cause prices to rise even further.
Green Construction
Everyone wants green construction, including homebuyers, tenants, and business tenants. Although many eco-friendly and sustainable components still cost more despite their long-term advantages, this will change over the next ten years as Ecotech and sustainable building become more prevalent.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy sources accounted for 11% of the global energy market in 2019 and are only predicted to expand in share as accessibility rises. Given that commercial buildings continue to account for 25% of Australia’s energy consumption and 10% of its greenhouse gas emissions, that is a sizable market.
What are the Types of Finish of Concrete Surfaces?
Pouring concrete is a versatile building material utilised in many kinds of construction projects around the globe. Concrete may be shaped into any size, shape, and finish in its green state using a variety of finishing methods and tools to create attractive, long-lasting concrete surfaces with great aesthetic appeal.
Below we have mentioned some of the types of concrete surface finish.
- Slick Troweled Concrete.
- Exposed Aggregate Concrete.
- Broom Finished Concrete.
- Coloured Concrete.
- Stamped Concrete.
- Polish Concrete Surfaces
What are Some of the Safety Measures for Building and Construction Sites?
The construction sector is rife with potential hazards and on site safety issues. The good news is that by taking the necessary precautions, you can reduce them.
Always Put on PPE
All workers and visitors to the construction site must wear the required PPE in order to reduce exposure to the numerous risks prevalent on the project site. Common PPEs include things like glasses, gloves, helmets, earplugs or muffs, high visibility vests, boots, and suits.
Take Care, and Heed The Signs
Safety signs give management the opportunity to inform and increase visitors’ and employees’ understanding of health and safety. Where necessary, strategically deploy them across the area. Construction site safety guidelines and various signs, such as warnings, prohibitions, safe conditions, and fire fighting equipment signs, should be known to workers.
Give Precise Directions
There should be a contractor or site induction present. New employees will be able to become accustomed to site operations as a result. The workers can receive health and safety instructions effectively by using toolbox lectures. It is done either every day or more frequently before work starts.
Keep the Area Neat
Make sure that the excavation and backfilling site is not littered with debris, dust, loose nails, and stagnant water. To avoid slips and trips, the building site needs to be cleaned every day and kept clear of clutter.
Provide Safety Induction Training
When handled improperly, many of the instruments found on construction sites can be very dangerous. Never presume that employees know how to use the tools and equipment that are provided.
The construction workers should undergo safety induction training. Give them the instruction necessary to make sure they do and update the instructional materials to include the most recent protocols.
Conclusion
The construction industry is acknowledged as having a significant impact on a nation’s economic and social development, especially in light of the number of direct and indirect jobs it creates and the numerous other industries it influences to produce the goods, equipment, and services used in construction. You can contact Skyco Group for more information about how to become a concreter.
