Job description Public Works Labourer near Kelowna (BC)
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Find out what work is like for a public works labourer in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Public works and maintenance labourers (NOC 75212).

Public works and maintenance labourers

Description

Public works and maintenance labourers perform a variety of labouring activities to maintain sidewalks, streets, roads and similar areas. They are employed by public works departments in all levels of government or by private contractors under contract to governments.

Work week duration

Public works and maintenance labourers usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Public works and maintenance labourers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Clean and maintain sidewalks, streets, roads and public grounds of municipality and other areas, working as member of crew
  • Sweep debris and remove snow from streets, sidewalks, building grounds and other areas, and load snow and debris into carts or trucks
  • Shovel cement and other materials into cement mixers, spread concrete and asphalt on road surfaces using shovels, rakes and hand tampers, and perform other activities to assist in maintenance and repair of roads
  • Spread sand or salt on sidewalks for snow and ice control
  • Dig ditches and trenches using shovels and other hand tools
  • Operate jackhammers and drills to break up pavement
  • Load and unload trucks with supplies and equipment
  • Collect money from coin boxes of parking meters along established route
  • Collect and load refuse on garbage trucks
  • Assist equipment operators to secure attachments to equipment or trucks
  • Assist in routine maintenance and repair of equipment
  • Assist skilled tradespersons such as carpenters, plumbers and mechanics
  • May operate mobile sidewalk-cleaning equipment.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Handling material manually
  • Standing
  • Bending or twisting the body
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Walking and running

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Public works and maintenance labourers are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Private contractors under contract to governments
  • Public works departments in all levels of government

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • Standard safety equipment
  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Hazardous equipment, machinery, tools
  • In an enclosed vehicle or equipment
  • Extremely bright or inadequate lighting
  • Sound and noise

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 75212), and a list of similar occupations:

  • helper - garbage collection
  • municipal labourer
  • parking meter collector
  • public works labourer
  • road maintenance worker
  • sewer maintenance worker
  • sidewalk cleaner

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Public works and maintenance labourers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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