a1868 build up esol for construction english 1

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BuildUpESOL for Construction


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Build UpESOL for Construction


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The Basic Skills Agency, 2005

Published by The Basic Skills Agency, Commonwealth House,

119 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1NU

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be photocopied,

recorded or otherwise reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or

transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means

without prior permission of the copyright owner.

ISBN 1 85990 372 X

Design: Studio 21

Published October 2005

ASSET UK is a national development partnership made up of voluntary sector and educationalbodies, led by the Refugee Council. Part funded by the European Social Funds Equal Community

Initiative programme and the National Learning and Skills Council, it has been working to develop

improved ways of supporting the integration of newly arrived asylum seekers dispersed to regions

outside London and the South East in a vocational and social context. Our partners are:

The British Refugee Council (Lead partner)

The Basic Skills Agency

Sheffield College

LLU+ (formerly the London Language and Literacy Unit)

Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU)

The National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE)

Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM)


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Contents 1

Contents

Introduction 5

Section 1: An introduction to the construction industry 9

Section 2: The construction workplace 21

Section 3: Building trades 39

Section 4: Health and safety 67

Section 5: Vocabulary dictionary 79Progress checklist 81

Individual work record 83

Individual work plan 85

Section 6: Notes for teachers 93

Scheme of work 107

Lesson plan 1 115

Lesson plan 2 117


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Introduction

The Build Up: ESOL for Construction course was developed by Louise Cottom at Peterborough RegionalCollege as part of the Basic Skills Agencys contribution to the ASSET UK Project. ASSET UK is a national

project part-funded by the European Structural Funds Equal Community Initiative, and the Learning and Skills

Council.

The course was designed to provide the students with a 60-hour general introduction to the construction

industry in the UK and to develop the English language skills needed in the industry.

The course materials were mapped to Entry 3 of the Adult ESOL Core Curriculum. This was because the

students on the course needed to be able to cope with complex vocabulary and grammar structures. Also,

students who wish to go on to retrain or acquire further qualifications will need English language skills atLevel 1 or above to give them the best chance of success. However, the materials can be adapted to cater for

lower skill levels leading up to Entry 3.

We have reproduced a selection of the materials used on the course as a starting point for anyone planning

an ESOL for Construction course. They include:

materials for the first half of the programme

examples of learning plans and checklists used on the course

notes for teachers

the scheme of work used on the project (with curriculum references) as an example that you can

adapt for different groups

two examples of lesson plans used on the course.

While we have included notes for teachers, these are not intended to be prescriptive and we hope that you

will use them flexibly and creatively. As we know, ESOL students are not all the same. Many will have spiky

profiles and there will be a wide range of learning styles within the group. Also, not all of your students will

have the same experiences of the construction industry. We have included technical language that is used in

construction as it is unlikely that learners will have encountered it in other ESOL classes.

We have included the Build Up scheme of work as an example for you to follow or adapt (pp106). It does not

coincide exactly with the materials we have reproduced here. Although quite detailed, the course team found

it helpful and it saved a lot of time in lesson planning, mid-course review and end of course evaluation. Our

scheme of work was developed with various foundation level construction syllabi in mind.

You could also use the materials for an introductory course for minors who show an interest in joining the

construction profession. These materials can be supplemented by the embedded learning materials for

construction produced as part of the Skills for Life strategy.

5

Introduction 1


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Task 1a

About you

Ask someone in your class the following questions:

1. What is your name?

2. Where are you from?

3. How long have you lived in the UK?

4. What is your educational background?

5. How long have you been learning English?

6. Why are you coming to this class?

Task 1bWhat do you hope to learn from the course?

In pairs, talk about what you want to learn from this course.

First tell your partner what you know about construction:

1. I already know about

2. I can

Next tell your partner what you want to learn:

3. I want to know how to say

4. I want to learn about

5. I need to

6. By the end of the course I want to be able to

7. In the future I want to

Now tell your teacher and the rest of the group.

Section 1


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What do you know about the construction

industry in the UK?

Task 2aDiscuss the following with a partner or the group:

1. What you know about the construction industry in the UK?

2. What do you think about the construction industry in the UK?

Task 2bNow write down your thoughts:

1. What I know about the construction industry in the UK.

2. What I think about the construction industry in the UK.

Task 2cWhen you have finished, work in pairs to interview each other.

Think of five or six questions you can ask, for example:

1. What do you know about the construction industry in the UK?

2. Do you think it is different from another country you know well?

3. Did you work in construction before you came to the UK?

4. What did you do?

5. What job do you want to do now?

Task 2dPretend you are asking these questions for a programme on the radio.

Record your questions and answers on a tape recorder.

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What is construction?

Extension activity

Define construction in your own words.

Write between three and five sentences about construction:

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Write about up to five people who work in construction and the jobs they do. For example:

1. A glazier works with glass.

2. .....................................................................................................................................................................

3. .....................................................................................................................................................................

4. .....................................................................................................................................................................

5. .....................................................................................................................................................................

6. .....................................................................................................................................................................

Section 1


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Task 3

Investigating the construction industry in the area where

you live

Out of class activityDo you know of any building developments near where you live or study?

Find out about at least one building project that you know of. It could be a small project, such as

building a garden wall, or a very large one.

Use the table below to help you.

Extension activity

Now write between 100150 words about the project.

If it is a large project there may be information about it at your local library or council, or on a website. You

can work with a partner and use any books or website information that you can find.

Build Up

What is the building

project?

What is the name of

the builder or

company?

What different jobs

can you see people

doing?

What are the different

tools you can see

people using?


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Task 4

What is the construction industry?

Read the text below to help you answer the following questions.

Think about the world around you. Imagine it without the construction industry. There would be people, but

no houses for them to live in or offices, schools and shops for them to work in. There wouldnt be any

factories to build cars or roads for them to drive on. There wouldnt be any water supplies, because there

would be no reservoirs or pipes. We would never be able to go abroad, because there would be no harbours,

airports or tunnels.

It is easy to forget that the construction industry built the places where we all live, work and enjoy ourselves.

You will now read information about the people who make all these things possible.

The industry

A building starts as an idea in someones mind, an idea that architects and engineers turn into designs.

The designs are turned into detailed images on a computer screen, while planners, engineers and financial

experts work on costs and schedules.

Then the surveyors and site engineers prepare the site for construction by measuring and marking out exactly

where everything will go.

Next it is the turn of hundreds of skilled craftspeople and their managers to transform the site into afinished product.

Years after construction is completed, the industry is still involved maintaining, refurbishing and

restoring all the structures that make up the world we live in.

The people who work in it

Did you know that the construction industry employs one out of every 14 people working in the UK? That is

about two million men and women, who between them have a vast range of interests, abilities and skills.

If you are:

aiming for a high-level management job or intellectual challenge

looking for work thats more technical than academic, or a supervisory role

after a job with training in a skilled craft, which will enable you to use your hands to build things

staying on at school, going to college or leaving education as fast as you can

there is a place for you in the construction industry.

Section 1


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The training

There are three main routes into the industry, each with the right combination of training and vocational

qualifications for the job. You can start as a craftsperson, a technician or a graduate. However, one of the

best things about the construction industry is that you dont need to follow the paths set out below. You can

start at the bottom and work your way to the top.

Graduates

People with a degree, usually in a relevant subject such as civil and structural engineering or construction

management, can go straight into the industry at a high level.

Technicians

You can enter the industry at this level with secondary school leaving qualifications or vocational

qualifications from your country of origin. If you were educated in Britain you need four good GCSE passes

(or Standard grades in Scotland), A levels or a vocational qualification. There are two main options: you can

work and go to college part-time or you can get full-time college qualifications before joining the industry.

The work is hard, but there is more technical and practical work than learning from books.

Craftspeople

To enter the industry as a trainee craftsperson, you will need a good basic education in English and maths.

If you were educated in Britain you will probably need some GCSEs at grades D to G (or standard grades in

Scotland). Some training courses give you extra help with English and maths if you need it. Craftspeople learn

skills that involve using their hands, but they will also have a chance to do qualifications that can take themto technical-level jobs. Most people train and gain vocational qualifications as they work, usually as an

apprentice, although there are other kinds of training schemes too.

If you gained your qualifications overseas you may need to find out which of the British qualifications they

are equal to. Training organisations and colleges can help you with this.

For more information on how you can prove you have the right skills, experience and qualifications, visit the

website of the Construction Industry Training Board at at www.citb.co.uk

Adapted fromA building Craft Foundation by P. Brett and from www.bconstructive.co.uk .

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Task 5

The construction industry in the UK

In the UK, the construction industry is an important part of the economy. It operates in both the public

sector and private sector. It is responsible for building and maintaining peoples homes, as well as theprovision and upkeep of major infrastructures such as roads, airports and bridges. It also builds the

places where we shop and work and is a key partner of the UK government in the long-term operation

of schools, hospitals and other public facilities.

The construction industry in the UK is made up mostly of small businesses. According to the

CITB-ConstructionSkills there are about 56 firms with over 1,200 employees, whereas there are over

164,000 firms who employ fewer than 24 workers.

There are about two million workers working in construction at present. One in 14 of the total working

population of Britain are employed by the construction industry. Most of them work for a company but

there is a growing number of self-employed builders over 590,000.

Over the next five years the construction industry needs to recruit more than 85,000 new workers a year

to join the ever-growing trade. We need more than:

12,000 carpenters and joiners

10,000 managers

6,500 plumbers

6,000 bricklayers

2,000 technicians.

Minority ethnic groups are under-represented in the construction workforce. Only about 3% of

construction workers are from minority ethnic communities in England and only 1% in Wales.

The percentage of women in the construction industry is rising from 8.8% in 1999 to 10% in 2005.

Look up the words in bold and put them in your personal dictionary.

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True or false?

Read the questions below and use the text to decide if they are true or false.

1. The construction industry is not an important part of the economy.

2. The construction industry works in both the private and public sector.

3. The construction industry in Britain is made up of mostly big businesses.

4. There are over 164,000 firms who work with fewer than 24 workers.

5. There are under two million workers working in construction.

6. Most people working in construction work for a company.

7. There are more people from minority ethnic groups working in

construction in England than in Wales.

8. The number of women working in construction is rising.

9. The construction industry needs to recruit more plumbers than technicians.

Section 1

True False

True False

True False

True False

True False

True False

True False

True False

True False


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Task 6

Why is health and safety important?

Working on construction sites can be very dangerous.

What health and safety issues do you think you will face in the construction industry?

Discuss this with a partner. Write down some thoughts and then present your ideas to the class.

Keep your notes, you will need them later in the course.

For more information on health and safety visit www.hse.gov.uk/construction/.

Out of class activity

Find out more about the construction industry.

Look around the construction sites in your area, this will help you get used to the different stages

of building.

Look through the local newspapers for details of new building, restoration, or possible job

opportunities.

Search the Internet under the names of large building companies (for example Persimmon, Bovis

Homes). This will help you to get a good understanding of what skills people are looking for.

Look at the general websites for the construction industry. These give you lots of information

ranging from how to re-skill to how to take the Site Safety Certificate. The best websites to visit

are www.citb.co.uk and www.bconstructive.co.uk.

Join your local library where you can read and borrow books about construction.

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Section 2

The Construction Workplace


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Task 7

The main areas of the construction industry

The construction industry covers four main areas. These are:

Which area is which?

Discuss the definitions below with a partner or in a small group, and decide which area it describes.

Definition a, b, c, d?

This is the building, maintenance and adaptation of all types of buildings ranging

from office blocks, industrial sites and shopping centres, to schools, hospitals,

recreation centres and homes. Included in these areas are specialist builders who

work in one skill area, e.g. glazing, tiling and roofing.

This is the construction and maintenance of public works such as roads, railways,

bridges, airports and sewers.

This is the installation, commissioning and maintenance of lifts, escalators and

heating, ventilation, refrigeration, sprinkler and plumbing systems.

This is the installation, commissioning and maintenance of various electrical and

electronic devices.

Section 2

a

Building

c

Civil engineering

b

Mechanical engineering

d

Electrical engineering


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Task 8

Different buildings

Buildings are classified according to their height.

You have: high rise (which are higher than seven storeys)

medium rise (which are between four and seven storeys)

low rise (which are between one and three storeys).

There are other classifications as well, based on the shape and size of the buildings detached, semi-

detached, terraced, etc.

Whats the difference between residential, commercial and industrial buildings?

In pairs, think about the buildings below and whether they are commercial, industrial or residential.

Write your answers in the table.

houses flats hospitals schools

residential homes hostels bed-sits bed and breakfasts

public halls social clubs mosques churches

restaurants

caf

pubs/clubs

factories warehouses colleges hotels offices

Commercial buildings Industrial buildings Residential buildings

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Task 9a

What do you know about the construction industry?

1. Name the THREE types of building.

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

2. Explain the difference between private and public sector building work.

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

3. Give THREE examples of building work.

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

4. Give THREE examples of civil engineering work.

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

5. Explain the difference between maintenance, refurbishment and restoration.

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................................

Section 2


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Task 9b

Types of buildings and premises

There are three main types of buildings and premises: residential, commercial and industrial.

Write down a definition in your own words or home language, we have done one for you.

Category Types of building and premises Definition

Residential private houses: detached,

semi-detached, terraced,

maisonettes

flats

hostels

hospitals

schools

public halls

Commercial retail outlets: shops,

supermarkets

pubs cafs

hairdressers

Industrial factories

areas to park vehicles

warehouses

Build Up

Premises used for the sale of goods and

services


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Task 10

Roles and responsibilities of personnel working inconstruction

The construction of a building is a complex process, which requires a team of professionals working togetherto produce the desired results. This team of professionals, which is collectively known as the building team, is

a combination of the following parties.

Client The client is the person who wants the building work done.

Architect The architect designs what the client wants and leads the building team.

Quantity surveyor The quantity surveyor works out how much the building is going to cost.

They also make sure that the costs dont increase above what was agreedwith the client.

Specialist engineer The specialist engineer helps the architect. They prepare drawings and do

calculations to make sure that the building is being built correctly.

Clerk of works A clerk of works, or site inspector, makes sure that work carried out and

materials being used on a construction project meet quality and safety

standards.

Local authority The local authority makes sure that the building does not break planning andbuilding laws.

Health and safety Checks that the builders follow health or safety rules and regulations.

inspector

Building contractor Works on the site and builds the building.

Sub-contractor Works on parts of the building that the building contractor cant do. For

example, putting in windows, baths or tiling.

Suppliers Provide the building materials.

Now you know what they do, can you work out how they all work together using the diagram on

the next page? Work in pairs or small groups.

Section 2


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The building team

Build Up

Client

Suppliers

Choose from the following words and put them in the right boxes. We have done two for you.

Building contractor Client

Architect Suppliers

Quantity surveyor Sub-contractors

Specialist engineers Health and safety inspector

Local authority Clerk of works


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Section 2

The building team answers

Client

Quantity

surveyor

Specialist

engineersLocal

authority

Architect

Building

contractor

Sub-

contractorsSuppliers

Health and

safety inspector

Clerk

of Works


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Task 11

Roles and responsibilities of personnel

In this section you have learnt about the many different people in the building industry who carry out a

variety of jobs or roles in the every day running of a project.

These include the main contractor, sub-contractor, clerk of works, the client, the architect, quantity surveyor,

structural engineer, safety officer, site clerk, general foreman/woman, trades personnel, trades foreman/

woman, general operative, storeman/woman, timekeeper, etc.

Assignment

Using what you have learned, websites or reference books, write down what each person does

(their function). If you can, write down their responsibilities to the client who is paying for the

work.

Architect .........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Quantity surveyor ..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Structural engineer ........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Clerk of works ................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Contracts manager .........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Safety officer ..................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

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Site clerk .........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

General foreman/woman ..............................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Trades foreman/woman .................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Trades person ..................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

General operative ..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................

How well have you done?

Can you name four different trades that may be found working together on a building site?

Place your answers in the box provided.

1. 2.

3. 4.

Section 2


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Task 12

What are trade unions?

Read the text below and answer the following questions.

Trade unions are organisations that represent people at work. Their purpose is to protect and improve

peoples pay and working conditions. They also campaign for laws and policies to be changed or created,

which will benefit working people.

Trade unions exist because an individual worker has very little power to influence decisions that are made

about their job. By joining with other workers, there is more chance of having an influence or being heard.

All sorts of jobs and industries are covered by trade unions. Some unions are sector specific, this means they

are only for people who work in one area, for example UCATT (Union of Construction, Allied Trades and

Technicians) have over 120,000 members employed in the building trades, in both the public and privatesector. Other unions include a mixture of different jobs and sectors. The biggest unions in Britain the GMB,

UNISON and the TGWU represent people working in a range of different occupations and industries in the

public and private sectors.

Questions

1. What is a trade union?

2. Are there trade unions in the country you came from?

3. What is the construction union called?

4. Using the Internet, find out the other name for the GMB?

5. Using the Internet, find out what TGWU stands for?

6. Do you think that joining a union is a good idea?

Find out more about unions. UCATT is the main union for construction but you will also find the

CITB-ConstructionSkills very helpful with any questions you may have.

For more information contact:

UCATT, UCATT House, 177 Abbeville Road, London SW4 9RL. Telephone: 020 7622 2442

www.ucatt.org.uk

CITB-ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH. Telephone: 01485 577577

www.citb-constructionskills.co.uk

For more information on the other unions mentioned visit their websites:

GMB www.gmb.org.uk TGWU www.tgwu.org.uk UNISON www.unison.org.uk

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Task 13

How do people join trade unions?

Different unions cover different jobs and it is important that you know which union covers your job before

you join.

People can join unions in different ways. Most people find out about them by talking to colleagues at work

and then contacting the union directly. A union representative offers information about what the union can

do for employees and how they can join. Some employers and HR officers tell employees about the union

before they start working for the organisation.

Unions are always looking for new members. Some use adverts in newspapers and magazines, leaflets or

gifts (free pens, bags, etc.) as part of a recruitment campaign. The target is often to get people to join who

work part-time, in temporary jobs or in small organisations where there has not been a high rate of union

membership in the past.

What is the structure of trade unions?

Trade unions are made up of members, shop stewards (union representatives), branches, district and regional

offices and the national office.

A member is someone who pays to belong to the union.

The union representatives are elected by members of the union to represent them to

management.

Branches support union members in different organisations locally.

Full time union officials are usually based in district and/or regional offices. These people are paid

to offer advice and support to the local union members.

The national office is the unions headquarters. This is where the heads of the organisation work

for improvements to the members working rights.

How much does it cost to join a union?

Each trade union member pays a subscription. The amount varies from union to union and the fee is usually

based on the amount each person earns. It can be from as little as 5 a month to over 300.

People pay their subscription fee in different ways. It may be collected by direct debit straight out of your

bank account, or it could be deducted from your wages or paid in cash or cheque to the local office.

In exchange for the fee, members receive the benefits of representation, negotiation, protection and other

services from their union.

Section 2


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Questions

1. What do you think would be the best way to join a trade union?

2. Have you seen any adverts for trade unions?

3. What is a member?

4. What is the difference between a branch and a district/regional office?

In small groups of three or four discuss these questions:

5. Should people pay to be a member of a union? Give two reasons why you think this.

6. Do you think everybody should join a union? Give two reasons why you think this.

Present your groups opinion to the class. If the class disagrees, vote to decide if the answer to each question

should be yes or no.

Extension activity

Role play

Hamid has just joined a new company. Sam has worked for the company for some time and is

telling Hamid about the job. Sam suggests that Hamid should join the union. Hamid is not sure.

Sara joins them. She is the union representative. She tells Hamid the benefits of joining the

union and answers his questions.

Role play their discussion. If you were Hamid would you join the union?

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Task 14

Being self-employed

A very large number of people in the construction industry work for themselves, not for an employer or

company. They are self-employed.

Can you think of three good reasons for being self-employed?

1. .....................................................................................................................................................................

2. .....................................................................................................................................................................

3 ......................................................................................................................................................................

On the other hand, you do not have the security of a regular salary, paid holidays and statutory sick leave.

Before you consider starting your own business you may want to get some knowledge and experience of the

construction industry in the UK. You will meet many self-employed people who will be able to give you useful

advice.

If you are thinking about becoming self-employed make sure that you get the best advice you can. There are

many organisations, websites and books that can advise you on making your business a success.

If you are thinking of becoming self-employed you need to ask yourself the following questions.

Why do I want to be self-employed?

What kind of business will I run?

Have I got the right qualifications for that trade or job?

How will I start to find work?

How will I look after my finances?

Do I need someone to help me with my accounts?

How do I pay income tax?

Do I have to pay national insurance contributions?

What health and safety issues do I have to think about?

Do I need insurance?

What do I do about a pension?

Can I employ other people?

Do I get any benefits or tax credits for being self-employed?

Where can I get further advice?

Discuss these questions in pairs or small groups. You may have the answers to some or all of

them, or you may find you have more questions.

Section 2


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Think about different people you can invite to talk to your class and answer your questions.

For example:

self-employed people working in construction

a business link adviser

a construction manager who uses self-employed construction workers.

Who else can you think of?

After the session dont forget to write to thank your visitor.

To find out more about self-employment see the following websites:

www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/employment/self-employment_checklist.htm

www.businesslink.gov.uk and click on in your sector/construction and building services

www.startups.co.uk

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Task 15

Build Up course progress checklist

Discuss your answers with your teacher. Are there any skills you need to improve?

Personal qualities Yes No

Do you like to work outside, regardless of the weather?

Do you know how to dress to keep yourself warm while working outside during the

British winter?

Are you able to stay calm in an emergency?

Are you concerned about cleanliness and order?

Do you have a friendly personality?

Physical attributes

Are you strong?

Are you flexible?

Do you have stamina?

Do you have the skills and knowledge needed to work in construction? Yes No

Can you describe different types of construction in the UK?

Do you know how to communicate with your employer, your co-workers and your clients?

Are you familiar with health and safety for construction in the UK?

Do you know how to avoid accidents?

Do you know about the equipment used by construction workers in your trade in the UK?

Are you familiar with the tools that are used in the UK?

Can you name the tools and their parts?

Can you troubleshoot or fix tools on the job if necessary?

Do you have experience working in residential construction?

Do you have experience working on large construction projects?

Do you have the education and training? Yes No

Do you have your diploma or certificate here in the UK?

If not, can you get a copy?

Do you need to write to your university, college or employer?

Section 2


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Section 3

Building Trades


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Task 16

Definitions of different building trades

In this section we find out what different personnel in construction do. The term for the different jobs in

construction is building trades. Building tradespeople are the skilled workers who work with specificmaterials when building, maintaining or refurbishing a building.

Can you match the following tradespeople to their description?

Look for the clues in the definition.

Painter and decorator Plumber

Roof slater and tiler Carpenter/joiner

Bricklayer

Electrician

Plasterer

Definition Tradesperson

Works with bricks and mortar to construct or repair all types of walling.

Works with timber, other allied materials, metals and plastic items and ironmongery.

Works with wires, cables, metal and plastic fittings, and installs and maintains

electric systems.

Works with paint, paper, fabrics and fillers to decorate or redecorate new or

existing works; they sometimes glaze windows or carry out sign-writing.

Works with plaster, cement mixes, plasterboard and expanded metal, to finish walls,

ceilings and floors; also makes and fixes plaster.

Works with metals, plastics and ceramics; installs tanks, baths, sinks, toilets, basins,rainwater goods, boilers, radiators and gas appliances; also cuts and fixes sheet

metal roof covering and flashing and sometimes glazing.

Works with felt, timber, metals, mortar and a wide variety of slates and tiles; covers

new or existing pitched roofs and slates or tiles; also maintains existing works.

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Carpet fitter/floor layer

Building or construction

operative

Construction plant operator

Demolition operative

Form worker

Glazier

Quarry worker

Scaffolder

Shop fitter

Stonemason

Welder

Wood machinist

Task 17

Different trades

Using a dictionary, website or reference book, find out what these tradespeople do.


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Task 18

Different jobs in construction

Here are more details on a number of different jobs in construction. The task sheets that follow can be used

in different ways, on your own or with another student or small group, to improve your English languageskills and knowledge about working in construction in this country. Your teacher will guide you.

When you feel you are familiar with one or more of the different jobs think about the following:

Do you think the job or trade is right for you?

What is the next step?

You can apply for the job directly to a building firm but, if you do not have a qualification that is recognised

in the UK, you may need to retrain. The building firm might be willing to train you on the job. If you areunder 25 you could retrain by a Modern Apprenticeship or you could complete an NVQ in construction.

For more information visit these websites:

www.bconstructive.co.uk/careers/

www.citb-constructionskills.co.uk/careers

www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/

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Builders labourer

What do builders labourers do?

What tools and equipment do they use?

What skills do you need to become a labourer?

A builders labourer is a construction worker who helps builders and other craftspeople to do their jobs on a

building site. This can be by moving bricks and heavy machinery into place for example. They also do general

tasks around the building site.

Here are some of the materials, tools and equipment a builders labourer may use.

Can you match the names of the tools and equipment with the pictures?

Build Up

Bricks Wheelbarrow Hard hat

Brush Pickaxe Ladder

Spade Trowel Skip


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Section 3

Can you think of anything else?

What kind of clothes do builders labourers wear for their job?

What kinds of jobs would a builders labourer do every day?

Some of the jobs they do include:

unloading and storing building materials

making sure the security fencing and barricades are safe

helping the different crafts people

mixing concrete and plaster

digging and maintaining trenches

using and cleaning hand tools

tidying up the site making sure all the rubbish is in the skip at the end of the day.

Some qualities that builders labourers need are to:

be fit and strong as they need to lift and carry a lot of weight

be able to work outdoors in all kinds of weather

be able to follow instructions and health and safety procedures

be able to work with other people in a team

enjoy practical work.

Can you think of any more?

Do you think this is the job for you?


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Carpenter and joiner

What do carpenters and joiners do?


What skills do you need to become a carpenter or joiner?

Carpenters and joiners make and repair things mainly using wood, but also using materials such as metals

and plastic.

Here are some of the materials, tools and equipment a carpenter or joiner may use.


Timber Chisel Glue Lathe

Workbench Jigsaw Electric drill Screwdriver

Hammer Set square Mask Nails


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Section 3


What kind of clothes do carpenters wear for their job?

What kinds of jobs would carpenters and joiners do every day?

Carpenters and joiners may be self-employed or work for a firm. They do many different jobs including:

talking to clients and co-workers about each job they are doing

following plans and drawings for whatever they are making

cutting wood using electric or hand saws and smoothing and shaping wood

laying and replacing floorboards, building staircases, partition walls and door frames

replacing and repairing woodwork

formwork or making temporary wooden structures to support and shape concrete until set.

Some qualities that carpenters and joiners need are to:

be careful, methodical and able to plan accurately

be able to follow technical drawings and plans

have good number skills for measuring and making calculations

be fit and strong as they need to carry a lot of weight

be able to work as part of a team and alone

enjoy practical work

be able to follow health and safety instructions.




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Digger Wrench Ear protectors

Crane Skip Forklift truck

Fluorescent jacket Shovel Excavator

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Construction plant operator

What does a construction plant operator do?


What skills do you need to become a construction plant operator?

A construction plant operator drives, controls and operates machinery used on building sites and road works.

Here are some of the tools and equipment construction plant operators use.



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Section 3


Which of these are tools? Which of these are vehicles?

What kind of clothes do construction plant operators wear for this job?

Some of the many jobs they do include:

clearing the ground for a new building site

digging away soil using soil excavators

digging trenches with diggers

moving soil and rubble around

maintaining the machinery they use

moving heavy items like oil drums around a site in the scoop of a digger

move palettes using a forklift truck

operate hydraulic platforms

use a pile drive to drive steel into the ground.

Skills and qualities construction plant operators need are to:

be good at driving large, heavy machines

have a basic knowledge of vehicle mechanics

have good eyesight, hearing and concentration

be able to follow detailed instructions

be physically fit and agile for changing attachments and climbing in and out of cabs

be good at communicating and working with others as part of a team

be able to follow safe working practices

to have a good knowledge of health and safety procedures

be comfortable working at heights for some jobs.




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Electrician

What does an electrician do?


What skills do you need to become an electrician?

Electricians wire up buildings so that they have electrical services such as heating and lighting. They also

repair electrical faults and do re-wiring. They can work indoors and outdoors.

Here are some of the tools and equipment electricians use.


Switch Circuit diagram

Wire strippers Plug point

Electric drill Ladder

Screwdriver Rubber soled shoes

Pliers Overalls


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Section 3


What kind of jobs would an electrician do?

Electricians are often self-employed. Some of the many jobs electricians do include:

working out the best way to fit new electrics

following diagrams accurately so they know where wires or cables go

using hand tools such as saws, drills, pliers

fitting metal channels for cabling

fixing sockets and switches

testing wiring for faults.


What do they use saws, drills and pliers for?

Some skills and qualities electricians need are:

a good knowledge about how electricity works

to know about building and safety regulations and to follow them

to be able to work in cramped conditions and be comfortable working at heights

to be able to work on their own or in a team

to be good at following detailed instructions.




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Painter and decorator

What do painters and decorators do?


What skills do you need to become a painter and decorator?

Painters and decorators prepare, paint and wallpaper walls and other parts of buildings. They can work

indoors or outdoors.

Here are some of the materials, tools and equipment they use.


Paint Tape measure

Brushes Dust sheet

Roller Pencil

Wallpaper brush Overalls

Scraper Sandpaper


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Section 3


Write a sentence explaining what each of them is used for, e.g. a dust sheet is used to protect the

floor or furniture from paint splashes.

What kind of jobs would painters and decorators do?

Painters and decorators are often self-employed. Some of the many jobs they do include:

helping a customer decide on the best kind of decoration for the job

stripping off old wallpaper and scraping off paint

using filler to fill cracks and gaps

cleaning, sanding and smoothing down surfaces ready for decorating

putting up coving and decorative plaster mouldings painting walls, woodwork and ceilings

cleaning brushes and equipment.

Skills and qualities painters and decorators need are to:

be fit and take care as they lift, carry, kneel, bend and stretch a lot when they are working

be practical and creative

have good colour vision for mixing and matching paints

be able to work accurately and have an appreciation for detail

have good number skills for counting, measuring and weighing

be able to work alone and as part of a team

be comfortable working at heights

be good at following instructions and health and safety procedures.




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Plasterer

What do plasterers do?


What skills do you need to become a plasterer?

A plasterer mixes plaster and then applies it to walls and ceilings to make them smooth and flat.



Hacksaw Stanley knife

Bucket Plasterboard

Stepladder Overalls

Hawk Plaster

Trowel Goggles


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Section 3


Which of these are tools? Which are equipment?

Write a sentence to say how a plasterer uses each of the tools or equipment, e.g. a plasterer

applies plaster with a trowel.

Plasterers are often self-employed. Some of the many jobs they do include:

cutting to measure and fixing plasterboards to walls and ceilings

mixing powder to make plaster

applying or spreading layers of plaster on walls and ceilings using a trowel and a straight edge

working out the thickness of plaster for each layer and making sure edges are straight

working out how much time they need to get a smooth finish before the plaster dries out.


Skills and qualities plasterers need are to:

be fit and flexible as they lift, carry, kneel, bend and stretch a lot when they are working

be able to work accurately and have an appreciation for detail

have good number skills for weighing and measuring


be comfortable working at heights

be good at following instructions and health and safety procedures.


Can you say why they need each quality or skill?



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Plumber

What does a plumber do?


What skills do you need to become a plumber?

Plumbers install, maintain and repair hot and cold water supplies. They install bathrooms and toilets, boilers

and central heating systems in domestic, industrial and commercial premises.



Drill Blow torch Shower Steel toecapped boots

Mastic gun Circular saw Toilet Eye protectors

Pipes Hot water tank Taps


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What kinds of clothing do plumbers wear?

What kinds of jobs would plumbers do everyday?

Plumbers are often self-employed. Some of the many jobs they do include:

talking to customers about what they need done and explaining how things work

following plans and drawings

installing and fixing tanks, boilers, toilets, showers, sinks, taps, gas appliances and other fittings

testing pipe work to see if it is working

putting in drainage systems

clearing drains and dealing with burst pipes.


Skills and quantities plumbers need are to:

be able to follow technical drawings and plans

work carefully and methodically

be able to work at heights and in confined spaces

be fit and flexible

be aware of safety issues and legal regulations

be able to work as part of a team and alone.



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Chute Battens Hammer and nails

Tiles Roof ladder Hard hat

Pulley Safety harness

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Roofer

What does a roofer do?


What skills do you need to become a roofer?

Roofers build and repair roofs on all types of buildings. The jobs can range from stripping and re-slating a

roof on a house to working on a renovation project on an historic building or being involved on a new

commercial development.




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Can you write a sentence to explain how each of them is used, e.g. roofers use pulleys to haul

heavy materials up to where they are working.

What kinds of jobs would roofers do?

Roofers may be employed by a firm or self-employed. Some of the many jobs they do include:

removing broken tiles and old roof coverings

calculating the number of tiles and other materials they need for a new roof

putting up new roof timbers

building new roof structures

tiling the roof

making sure all edges are sealed so that they dont let water in.

Skills and qualities roofers need are to:

be happy working outdoors in all weather conditions and at heights

be able to understand technical drawings and plans

have good number skills to work out areas and angles and calculate quantities and prices of

materials


be able to follow strict health and safety procedures

be physically fit and strong because they have to do a lot of lifting and carrying.



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Wall and floor tiler

What does a tiler do?


What skills do you need to become a tiler?

Wall and floor tilers tile walls, floors and other surfaces in houses, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens,

industrial premises, swimming pools, shops, hotels and offices.



Tiles Tile spacers

Knee pads Spirit level

Pointing tool Hardboard

Eye protectors Cement

Ladder Grout


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What kinds of jobs would tilers do?

Tilers may be employed by a firm or self-employed. Some of the many jobs they do include:

discussing and agreeing a job with a customer

marking out areas to be tiled

making sure there is a smooth, flat surface to attach the tiles

removing old and cracked tiles and replacing them

using cement and adhesive glue

evenly spacing the tiles out using tile spacers

using grout to fill in the spaces between the tiles when all the tiles are in place.


Skills and qualities tilers need are to:

be fit, strong and flexible for bending, lifting and carrying tools and materials

be able to work accurately and methodically

have good number skills for measuring and calculating quantities of materials

be creative and able to follow or produce designs and patterns using tiles of different shapes and

sizes

be able to follow technical plans and drawings

be able to work alone or as part of a team

be willing to keep up with new materials and trends

follow health and safety procedures.



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Task 19

How much do you know about the different trades?

In pairs or small groups tell each other how much you know about the different trades.

Choose one of the following:

bricklayers

roofers

electricians

painters and decorators

plasterers.

Tell your partner or the rest of your group:

1. What they do?

2. Three different tools they need?

3. How much you think they get paid?

4. Do you have to be strong to be that job? Why?

5. What protective clothing do you need to wear?

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Learning more about different construction workers

Task 20a

Builders labourers

Builders labourers are construction workers who do general work on a site. Some may specialise by working

with particular tradespeople as a trade's assistant, such as a bricklayer's labourer or carpenter's assistant.

In pairs, discuss what builders labourers do and use. Next use these words to complete the

sentences below.

equipment equipment and machinery

materials mixers and compressors

traffic near construction sites

scaffolding

or jackhammers to break up rock and concrete concrete

Builders labourers . . .

1. move, load and unload ................................................................................................................................

2. erect and dismantle .....................................................................................................................................

3. mix, pour, spread and rake ..........................................................................................................................

4. install, operate, maintain and repair .............................................................................................................

5. oil and grease ..............................................................................................................................................

6. tend and feed machines such as ..................................................................................................................

7. dig trenches using hand tools ......................................................................................................................

8. direct ...........................................................................................................................................................

In pairs or small groups discuss if you have done any of these activities. If you have, how did you

find them?

Do you think this would be a good job for you?

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Task 20b

Carpenters and joiners

Carpenters and joiners make and install wooden structures, fixtures and fittings, which are used in a wide

variety of construction projects. This could include fitting floorboards, skirting, window frames and doorsin houses or fixing roof trusses and partitions for commercial buildings; preparing shop fronts, storage and

shelving for retail outlets; building wooden casements to support setting concrete in structures such as

bridges or foundation pillars. The term carpenter is usually used for people who work with wood and allied

materials outside on building sites; joiners do similar work but inside buildings.

Look up the words in bold and any others you dont know and put them in your personal

dictionary. Complete these sentences about carpenters.

Carpenters:

1. build ............................................................................................................................................................

2. fit ................................................................................................................................................................

3. cut ...............................................................................................................................................................

4. fix ................................................................................................................................................................

Answer these questions on your own first and then compare them with the person next to you.

1. Name three types of tools that carpenters use: ............................................................................................

2. Name four things that carpenters build or make: .........................................................................................

3. How can you get training to become a carpenter? ......................................................................................

4. Where do carpenters work? ........................................................................................................................

Further research

Using the website www.citb.co.uk or www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles

answer the following questions:

In the country where you come from, is a carpenters job different from a carpenters job in the UK?

How much money do you think a carpenter can earn in a year?

Who do carpenters work for?

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Task 20c

Plumbers

Match the words with their definitions.

install a waterproof sealant and filler

repair an instrument for measuring water pressure

maintain bath, sinks, toilets, fitted wardrobes etc

waste water to keep something in good condition

disposal dirty water (from sink or toilet)

mastic a place that produces something

factory to put in (a toilet, sink, pump)

fixtures getting rid of waste

leak to fix something

gauge when water comes out of somewhere it shouldnt

Complete the following sentences.

Plumbers:

1. cut through ceilings and walls to .................................................................................................................

2. test pipes to ................................................................................................................................................

3. join pipes using ...........................................................................................................................................

4. install, repair and maintain ..........................................................................................................................

5. measure, cut, bend and thread pipes using .................................................................................................

6. wear the following personal protection equipment: .....................................................................................

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Task 21

Sharing your knowledge, skills and experience

It is now several years in the future and you are an experienced tradesperson. You have a new apprentice

who has just started working with you.

Choose a trade and a task from that trade which you want your apprentice to help you with.

Work in pairs, with one person taking the role of skilled tradesperson and the other the

apprentice. Describe to the apprentice the stages you have to go through to do the job.

In this example you are a painter, telling your apprentice the stages they have to go through to paint a room.

We have started the sentences for you.

1. First you prepare the walls for painting by ...................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

2. Put on the undercoat using .........................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

3. Let the first wall dry and start ......................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

4. While the walls are drying, start preparing the doors ...................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

5. Put a top coat on the walls ..........................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................................

6. You finish by ................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................

Other phrases you can use:

First ..................................................................................................................................................................

Next .................................................................................................................................................................

Be careful .........................................................................................................................................................

Make sure ........................................................................................................................................................

Dont forget to .................................................................................................................................................

It doesnt matter if you dont know how to do the job in detail, at this stage it is more important to improve

your vocabulary and knowledge of the language you use to give instructions.

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Section 4

Health and safety


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Task 22

Why health and safety is important

Do you remember discussing health and safety earlier on in the course?

Did you talk about the accidents that can happen on building sites?

What is an accident?

Write down your definition of an accident. Check it in a dictionary.

As a class, discuss different types of accidents that can happen on a building site.

Here are some nouns, adjectives and verbs you can use.

Nouns Adjectives Verbs

danger dangerous to cause

a fall falling to fall

hole unprotected to protect

path slippery to slip

object heavy to dropnotice warning to warn

rail strong to fix

lighting secure to secure

materials fragile to break

machinery heavy to lift

fracture fatal to die

Add any new nouns, verbs or adjectives that you hear in the discussion.

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Task 23

Accidents in the construction industry

Every year over 15,000 accidents that happen during building activities are reported to the Health and Safety

Executive. Reported accidents are those which cause: death

injury

more than three days off work

or are caused by a dangerous occurrence.

In 1996 the government introduced new regulations called the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous

Occurrences Regulations to collect information to use in preventing the same accidents happening over and

over again. All accidents must be reported to the Incident Reporting Centre. This can be done online at

www.riddor.gov.uk.

15,000 accidents a year works out at:

300 accidents every week or

about 60 accidents every working day or

seven accidents during every working hour or

one accident every nine minutes.

By the time you have read this someone on a building site has probably had an accident. Every year there areat least 78 fatal accidents. This means that at least six people die in the construction industry every month.

Causes of accidents

The Health and Safety Executive has identified the types of accidents that are likely to happen to people in

certain occupations. More than 50% of fatal accidents involve people who fall.

The occupations where you are likely to suffer injury are as a:

carpenter or joiner

bricklayer

electrician.

To find out more about health and safety in the construction industry visit: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/.


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Task 24

Talking about accidents

In small groups, tell each other about any accidents that you have had when doing building work

for yourself or someone else.

What happened?

Did you do something wrong?

What would you do to make sure it doesnt happen again?

Write down what happened to one of the students in your group.

Ask them to check if you got it right.

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Task 25

Keeping healthy, keeping safe

The Health and Safety Executive and other organisations work hard to make sure workers and their

employers know what to do to avoid accidents and injuries.

Employers must make sure that people working for them:

are trained and competent to do the job safely and without putting their health at risk

are properly supervised and given clear instructions

have access to washing and toilet facilities

have the right tools, equipment, plant and protective clothing

understand health and safety issues for the job they are doing.

Accidents can cause serious injury or death but there are many jobs that can cause injuries that you dont feel

for a long time.

Complete the following sentences about injuries to parts of your body that poor working practices

can cause, using the following words:

eyes, blindness, back, deafness, burn, hands and arms, lungs, skin.

1. Carrying heavy loads, or picking up heavy objects incorrectly, can damage your ................................... .

2. Constant loud noise can lead to ................................... .

3. Using vibrating machines for too long can damage your ................................... .

4. Breathing in dust can damage your ................................... .

5. Some substances can irritate your ................................... and your ................................... .

6. If a corrosive liquid splashes on your face and eyes it will ................................... your skin and may cause

................................... .

Look up any words you dont know.

In pairs discuss how you can you avoid these injuries. On the next page are examples of Personal

Protective Equipment, called PPE, that you can use to prevent damage to your body.

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Section 4

Task 26

Personal Protective Equipment

Label the pictures and then write a sentence to say what you would use them for.

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................

Ear defenders Protective spectacles High visibility clothing Steel toecapped boots

Ear plugs Goggles Hard hat Boiler suit or overalls


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Task 27a

Safety signs

There are different kinds of safety signs. The main ones are:

Mandatory signs which tell you what you must do.

Prohibitive signs which tell you what you must not do.

Warning signs which tell you to be careful and why.

Emergency escape, first aid or safe condition signs which tell you

where to go if there is a fire or where bandages and other first aid

material is kept.

Fire equipment signs, which tell you where fire-fighting equipment is

kept.

Marking for dangerous locations. Where would you see it on a

building site?


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Section 4

Here are some signs you will see on a building site. Write down what they are and if they are

mandatory, prohibitive or warning signs.

Shape and colour is important. Can you describe the colour and shape of each of the signs.

We have done the first one for you.

Warning signs are yellow triangles with a black outline.

Mandatory signs are ..................................................................................................................................

Prohibitive signs are ..................................................................................................................................

Fire signs are ..............................................................................................................................................

Safe condition signs are ............................................................................................................................

Task 27b

In pairs, walk round the building you are in and write down the signs you can see.


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Build Up

Task 28

Health and safety abbreviations

You will come across many abbreviations in the construction industry. Many are concerned with health and safety.

Write these abbreviations in the column next to the definitions they stand for.

COSHH RIDDOR HSE SMSTS CSCS HSC

Definition Abbreviation

The Site Management Safety Training Scheme helps site managers (and anyone

wanting to become a site manager) to develop a better understanding of the legal,

moral and social responsibilities of their role, and to manage health and safety on

site in accordance with regulations.

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme card lists the holders qualifications

and shows they know about health and safety as all cardholders have to pass the

CITB-ConstructionSkills Health and Safety Test. Cards are valid for either three

or five years. Most contractors and clients ask for the card before allowing

workers on their sites.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health has been developed to help firms

follow regulations on controlling the use of chemicals for a range of common

tasks, e.g. mixing or drying.

The Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive are

responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety connected

with work activity in Britain. They work to improve health and safety in all

workplaces including offices, shops and construction sites.

The government enforced the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous

Occurrences Regulations on 1 April 1996. The regulations require that accidents,

diseases and dangers that happen in workplaces are reported to the Health and

Safety Executives Incident Contact Centre.

Make a note of other useful abbreviations you come across in your personal dictionary.


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Section 4

Task 29

Visiting speaker

Your teacher has invited a health and safety representative from a union for people working in construction

to talk to you about health and safety on a building site.

Go back to the first sessions on health and safety and think of questions to ask your visitor on the issues you

discussed and write down 10 to 12 question

a1868 build up esol for construction english 1

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