General Laborer job description

Use this General Laborer job description template to find the best person for a role in a factory, warehouse, construction site or manufacturing company. Feel free to modify the requirements and responsibilities based on your needs. Some companies also use the titles “General Worker” and “Common Laborer” to describe this particular role

What is a laborer?

General laborers are workers who take up various supporting tasks in warehouses, construction sites or other settings (e.g. factories). According to this general laborer definition, these workers may have an important assisting role in constructing highways, buildings or other structures, and they may also transport materials and equipment.

What does a laborer do?

General laborer duties vary depending on the setting they work in and their level of specialization. They usually work in construction where they help erect scaffolding, clean up sites and assist specialized workers such as painters and electricians. Occasionally, general laborers take up dangerous tasks like handling chemicals or removing lead from buildings. In these cases, you might be required to schedule training sessions on working with hazardous materials safely.

Responsibilities

• Clean up worksites from hazardous or obsolete material
• Assist welders, carpenters, painters or other tradespeople on-site
• Handle and transport materials (e.g. cement) and equipment (e.g. drills and grinders)
• Use power tools and machinery (e.g. forklifts) when needed
• Follow instructions from supervisors to perform manual labor tasks (e.g. digging, stacking up goods)
• Put up warning signs (e.g. signposts, cones) for vehicles and passersby
• Help with setting up and transferring temporary structures (e.g. scaffolding)
• Report issues with equipment or unsafe conditions

Requirements

• Ability to meet the physical demands of the job (standing for long periods of time, lifting heavy loads of up to 40 pounds etc.)
• Good hand-eye coordination
• Familiarity with power tools and machinery is a plus
• Communication and teamwork skills
• Commitment to safety rules
• Apprenticeship or specialization is an asset, but not necessary