Day in the life – What is it like to work on a construction site

Knowing what a typical day looks like for any job is extremely important. Having the information on what can happen, and what to expect will enable people to align their own requirements with a specific role or industry.

A construction site is a busy and sometimes dangerous environment. Being prepared for what happens on site is essential for all of those who work within the construction industry.

Who works on a construction site?

There are many people who work on construction sites. Each person has their own role to play to ensure that the project is either completed, managed correctly, or carried out to the highest safety standards.

A project manager will be on hand to ensure that the project runs smoothly. They will be the connection between the client and the site manager. It will be the role of a site manager to ensure that each team who is working on the site has what they need to carry out their job. They will also ensure that the site is safe to work on and follow all compliance guidelines.

General construction crew will be responsible for doing the manual labour. There are different specialities within this sector, from brick laying, demolition, warehouse installation, and more.

There may also be electricians, plumbers, and even decorators on site at any point throughout a project.

Typical day on a construction site

There is no typical day on a construction site, depending on the phase of the project how the day is structured may vary. However, there are some consistencies when working on a construction site.

At the start of the day there may be a meeting, this will either be a project brief or checking in with the team on where each task is currently at. After everyone is settled in and knows what they need to do and where the project is at, most will then begin their tasks.

Depending on your role within the project your tasks may vary. For construction crew, you will be expected to prepare the site for safe working conditions. As well as perform many of the manual labour tasks. This can be moving site equipment safely with the relevant machinery, or building aspects of the project.

If you are within the project management department you will need to ensure that the project is running on time and smoothly. You will be responsible for budgeting, as well as obtaining the relevant items and materials for the ground crew to perform their role.

It is important to take the relevant breaks based on your role. Legally everyone is entitled to a break, and there are certain requirements that must be met. Each site has different restrictions, from working with chemicals, site conditions and temperatures and more. Ensure that you take the legally required breaks, otherwise it could be detrimental to your health as well as land your employer in hot water.

As you continue to work through each phase of the project you may be asked to provide updates and reports to various stakeholders. This is key information that allows a project manager to keep track of the progress as well as highlighting any issues that you may face.

At the end of the day there may be a progress update. This will be with your site manager, again these reports allow the project manager and site manager to see how the project is progressing.

Before the end of the day, the site will need to be cleared and tidied. This is important for many health and safety reasons. Equipment needs to be maintained and looked after as well as securing any materials that aren’t in use.

Every day is different on a construction site, understanding the health and safety rules you must abide by as well as the details within your role will help you navigate this fast paced environment.

If you are looking for your next role in construction, contact FBR recruitment today. Our team are experts in construction recruitment, and will help you find the right role. View our jobs board now.