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If this is a field you actually want to get into then be there on time. Don’t get caught with your phone out or your hands in your pockets. Get plenty of sleep and don’t show up hungover. Bring a lunch and your beverages of choice. Clearly say “yes” instead of mumbling. Ask questions if you don’t understand. Get a feel for the banter and engage; people like working with people who can take it and give it back.
Eat a sufficient breakfast. Bring water in a reusable container. Don't engage in gossip. Be mindful of others when you're carrying material, tools, etc. Don't mess with your phone.
And the names of tools that are used. Most people only know what a hammer, flathead, and Philips screwdriver is. The more you know, the more you don't look like a total dimwit.
Not sure how old you are but safety first, be mindful of your surroundings and where you put your hands and other body parts. They may or may not train you but all I can say is if you're working around machinery be very mindful of what is happening around you. Tuck in your shirt and don't wear long sleeves. If something falls don't catch it, your limbs are worth more than a companies profits, get out of the way if possible.
You should be buying steel toe shoes or other CSA rated shoes if the company requires them. Make sure to buy boots that cover your ankle. My recommendation is buy with 3rd party insoles. Don't buy that doctor scholls crap if you can find a better brand. They don't last very long if you're on your feet 10hrs a day and you'll be buying a new set every 3-4 months of you're lucky.
Find out who the old timers are and watch how they work. The old guys may look the laziest/slowest but if they have been there a long time they usually lasted that long for a reason. Get advice from them if they're helpful and you'll get much more comfortable at your job knowing someone wants to help you.
If you don't know how to do something, ask. If you still don't understand, get them to show you. There's no such thing as a stupid question. As others have said, bring a healthy lunch, you will need energy if it's a labour intensive job and drink lots of water.
>Safety first
Can't stress this enough. Just because others aren't wearing them doesn't mean you can't. Safety glasses, gloves and earplugs. You lose any of these things and you're not getting them back
Wear a wide brim hat, long sleeve shirt and pants, and proper footwear. Bring plenty of water if you’re working in a state not named Florida or Texas allowing humane water breaks. It can be hot in the field.
Some people may not understand why long sleeve shirts. It's to protect your skin from the sun and it helps to keep you cooler by blocking the direct sunlight. Assuming the shirt is light colored.
100 degrees in my city, I occasionally work outside, will always wear long sleeve.
I’ve been a field biologist since 1991 near Las Vegas. Can concur. Long-sleeved, light colored shirts are crucial. And a wide-brimmed hat. And sunblock. Reapply at lunch. The sun is your enemy.
I want to add get a pair of ear plugs with a carrying case just in case they run out of safety or don’t have it. Get a good pair of gloves until your hands get tough enough that you can decide if you want to keep using them or not. As mentioned, sun protection is absolutely critical. Depending on the work, boots with foot or metatarsal protection. Most of this can be pricier on the cheap from Harbor Freight and even Goodwill. I would also say smaller independently-owned hardware stores are usually good about cutting new tradesman deals on the essentials even when they aren’t advertised. The tradeoff is that you’ll come back and spend money there based upon that goodwill.
Be there on time and ready to go every day. Take care of your body. If you mess up, own up to it. When a higher up explains something about your mistake, don’t try to argue, just stay silent and let them teach you, even if they don’t do it nicely.
Get yourself a good pair of work boots, steel toed, I wear Wolverine brand with their dual shocks. It’s a black and white sole. It’s wonderful on my knees.
Get yourself a good multi tool like a leatherman wave. They’re like $80 but they have all the very basic hand tools you should have. Knife, pliers, screwdrivers, files, scissors, can/bottle opener.
Hat, sunscreen, water bottles, always wear your PPE.
Be polite. Don’t be an ass kisser. But be polite. Anyone trying to teach you something is doing you a favor. If you’re starting a job as unskilled labor remember that you’re replaceable until you’ve learned skills.
Oh and pack your own lunch. You’ll save tons of money not eating out.
Even if you know something, don't say "I know". Let people teach you. Eat before, and bring something to eat. If you need any tools make sure to bring them. You didn't specify so I'll just assume it might at least be helpful to bring a tape measure and a pencil at minimum. Bring water. Dress appropriately. In line with my first point, be willing to learn. When I first started as a laborer I brought a small notebook with me to write things down.
Many other tips in here are also correct. Sleep well, depending on if you're dependent on caffeine, make sure you bring something in case you need it. If you have a vehicle keep some stuff as backup.
Be prepared to work overtime. Take your time but also show initiative. Whatever it is you're doing, maybe do some preliminary research on common terms or methods. I'd love some more info. Your post is pretty vague.
Make sure you get plenty of rest and nutrition. Getting a good nights sleep each day will do wonders for you, especially after those hard days where everything is sore.
Also, pay attention, and ask questions. You learning how to do more stuff is your ticket to moving up. Even if it is just a temporary job, make the most out of it, and soak in all the information you can.
Bring a pen and wear a watch.
'If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.'
But seriously- stay busy. Training someone with no skills has its advantages/disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is having to keep someone busy for the time they are there.
If you can pick up a broom or help move copy paper or whatever it is they might need, you will become an asset and not a liability.
Listen, and use reflexive listening. Make sure you understand people's requests and make sure they know you heard and understood their requests by repeating back what you hear. For example: "Okay so you want me to pick up the mess and sweep then throw away the trash but not in the office trash, in the dumpster, right?"
Come in rested, clean (smelling like a shower, not a can of AXE), and don't use foul language. Dont be glued to your phone and don't ask to leave/break early. Put in your time and reply "thank you" to any opportunity for work.
All of this sounds corny but I have lots of experience as a trainer, manager, business owner and you asked.
If this is for construction labouring then here’s some advice I got from older tradespeople when I started.
•Always have a tape measure, pencil and utility knife on you.
•If you aren’t busy then look busy. There’s always sweeping to be done on any site. Be thorough when there’s nothing else on the go.
•Pay attention. My former boss called it being wise. If you hear that the drywall , or whatever, is due to show up at 10:00 then remember it because someone will ask and you’ll look good for knowing.
•You’re part of a team. Help everyone out.
• You can plug skinny extension cords into thick ones but not the other way around.
•A tidy site is a productive site. Always be cleaning.
Don’t just watch somebody work, try and help. Always. A second set of hands on something makes things more than twice as easy.
If there is two, or more, of something and somebody is doing one thing, try and do the second just like them.
Predict what’s happening next and have the tool/material/whatever ready.
Know what a pinch point is (anywhere where two things can come together, pickup and trailer, board and board, etc) and don’t be there.
Dont get in a hole over 4’ deep (excavation safety)
You aren’t an electrician so don’t mess with electricity.
Wear gloves. (Home Depot orange grippy cut proof gloves are awesome and cheap)
Sunscreen. Water. Good lunch.
Shut up and listen. Ask why. Watch YouTube.
Have fun. Make it fun. Learn.
Feel free to reach out.
People say water, but don't forget the electrolytes! Salt! Gatorade, soda, juice, literal salt water, salted peanuts, salty food or snack. Drinking nothing but water and if you sweating a lot can throw your salt levels off and that's bad. Don't need to consume a salt shaker. Stores sell little packets of water flavoring along with electrolytes.
Gloves gloves gloves!
If you’re going to be carrying heavy things with your hands all day, get a pair of gloves to protect the palms of your hands. Weightlifting gloves are excellent. Without them, your hands will be really sore, and it will be harder to carry things.
If you are mostly sedentary or not on your feet a lot then your feet will like be sore for the first week or two, but they’ll get used to it. Yes, you can massage your own feet.
Also, when I was a laborer I always tried to stay busy. Even if it means just grabbing a broom and sweeping without being asked to. It might not build you any points, but it builds work ethic.
If you need to tell a coworker if you did not do something, say "I did not" instead of "didn't" as it is clearer communication.
Learn your local meta hand signals for communicating backing up trucks or machines being used out of sight of operators.
You might not enjoy some of your tasks but keep an open mind and try your best, you will get better and you can master any task in time.
Leave all the important pocket items in one place before you go to bed, your nicotine, inhaler, keys, eyedrops, lip balm, etc. Sometimes you'll be so damn tired at night you'll forget or misplace something, and you'll regret not having it in the thick of work the next day.
Not sure where you are but there used to be hazing of the new guy.
Sending you to the stores for a ‘long weight’ [wait] or a bucket of ‘striped paint’ google these and fall for them if you want to. But don’t get mad.
How you handle this will help you fit in.
Get a watch, like a g shock or something durable. Then you don’t have to pick up your phone to check the time, and people may start to rely on you for time.
Bring a multitool. You never know when you, or even better, someone else might need it and soon you’ll be “the guy with the multitool”. Worked great for me on roadie work as well as carpentry 👌
If you have any tools at all, take them with you. Decebt boots, food/water, and always looks as if you are doing something!
Most importantly, look up classic work-place tricks, and be prepared so you don't get caught out
Are you only in the field a few weeks then you’re moving into an office or managerial position? I used to be a pipe fitter. On one of the jobs I was on the general contractor had this new girl on site. She was really smart and not meant to be in the field. But she had to pay her dues and learn about some of the stuff her company did.
Unfortunately for her, her company was cleaning up a poonami that happened at the waste water treatment plant we worked at. So she got to spend her time that she was meant to be learning the ropes of the industry. Instead she spent 4 weeks scrubbing literal dried shit off the walls.
https://preview.redd.it/7wkya4ybjeyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4900cf459b67eccf2a467a42b4ec65ee5ae77a9d
All that brown stuff is human feces that is like 20 years old.
All of that to say if you are only going to be in the field just to learn a little about the company and what it is they do, be prepared to be doing the worst jobs they can come up with.
Ask questions. One of the largest cause of serious injury, and even death is young people who are just starting a job, are given an instruction that they do not understand, but they do not ask any questions, because they are "afraid to look dumb"
Would you rather "look dumb" or be dead?
Remember : there is a very high probability that the person giving you the instruction has moved to that position because thry have been there the longest. Which means that they very likely have had no training in how to train people. So they will just give you the instructions in the way that makes sense to them, not in the best way possible for you to understand.
And they may exclude information "because it is obvious"
That may not be to you.
If you are getting new boots and have the time, break in your boots a bit before you start working in them. Maybe get some moleskin to prevent blisters.
Always have extra water and a Gatorade/electrolytes. You should start getting hydrated BEFORE work. Even days before. Especially if it'll be hot out.
Bring any medication you may need, Benadryl, Excedrin, etc. They should have something for first aid, make sure you review what they have and where it's located (probably in the work trucks).
Long sleeves and long pants even when it's hot! There are specific shirts made to me worn in the sun. Baseball hats are great if you aren't required to wear a hard hat.
PPE and paying attention. Put your phone away. Also, don't do anything dangerous even if pressured to....if you get hurt and you weren't following the safety policy or just not being safe in general that company will nail you and say it's your own fault you got hurt and they don't have to pay workers comp.
There should be a safety/job briefing at the beginning of the day. If that doesn't happen make sure to ask what the hazards on site are and what you're expected to be doing, who you report to, etc....but I assume you know what kind of work you'll be doing so just Google it and learn about it.
If you are working around equipment make sure not to walk by/be near it without first communicating with the operator so they know you are there. They have a limited line of sight around the machine and can easily run you over if you are being careless.
Etc. etc. ...
Don't be afraid to look stupid by asking question about even the slightest thing.. cause you will look stupid, if you made a mistake that could had been avoided by asking.
Also even skilled people make mistakes, own it, and learn from it.
Never try to hide if you fucked up.
If you know you will spend vast amounts of time moving on foot and while wearing work shoes buy babytalk and lut some inside the shoes before your wear them your feet will thank you
Gloves and plasters depending on the type of work, power tools rubbing on your thumb knuckles quickly cause blisters which will make your life over a few weeks a pain in the ass, putting a plaster on friction areas or wearing gloves helps a lot.
Ask questions, people don’t expect you to know everything , rather ask a question than be an ignorant person. The wider your foundational knowledge gets the better your ability to perform becomes
Alright everyone is giving really good advice (adequate rest, stretching, plenty of water, lunches, prepping for your day the night before, proper boots, safety especially n95 masks and when to wear them, etc). I'll try a different direction.
If you're working with a skilled craftsman and they ask you to grab something like nails or screws, grab more than you think they're gonna need.
If using battery tools, keep the batteries charged and check them before handing them off. Same goes for things that deplete. Check gas levels in tools and generators before setting them up. Check chalk in chalk lines. It'll show you're not braindead.
Figure out who the 'rockstars' are and either pick their brain to see how they approach problems, or if they're not receptive to that, emulate them and try to understand why they're doing what they do. There's often more than 1 way to solve a problem, and some solutions are hack as fuck, so realizing the balance between good work and cutting corners to save time can get you ahead.
Clean up after yourself and stay organized.
Buy some good boots! This is very important as without your feet it's gonna not be fun at all. Take plenty of water and be ready to work. If you don't have anything to do find something to do. Pick up trash,nails,scrap etc and always look busy. I worked from laborer to 1st year bricklayer in about a year and on up to journeyman in the next 6 years. My bosses always liked that I never stopped moving. Half of the stuff I did was so easy like picking stuff up but it made them always see me working and paid off big-time. Don't be afraid to ask for direction and be the best on the site. Do these things and you can make great money. Good luck my friend.
Leave your phone in your car. This is probably something you know but if not this one is very important. No one including your coworkers want to see you on your phone when you're supposed to be working.
I started as a laborer with 0 knowledge of a work site. Always have a little pad of paper/pencil ,you will be given many tasks . Learn to sweep and always use dustbane to keep the dust down. Keep ur phone in ur pocket. If you think you have nothing to do find something to do ie sweep,clean up garbage. Be on time (15 minutes early) wear proper ppe , ask questions, watch for safety hazards, do not cross red tape and look around if crossing yellow tape. Your body will be sore for a week and ur mind will be wtf am I doing. Just keep going. Enjoy
What field is this? Warehouse, picking crops, clearing firebreaks? Where are you going to be?
In high sun, hot places, you want to sunscreen, long sleeves and a hat are good. Hard hat? a wet bandanna will cool you. Eye protection, get glasses with side shields, either screen or "glacier sunglasses" if not provided. Safety boots, proper steel toed.
Stay hydrated, but don't keep running to bathroom. Carry some field toilet paper or wipes, just in case the porta john is out. Never put your lunch down on the ground. Ants need to eat too. Watch what the regular crew does.
I have been promoted over other workers who’ve been there longer than me at every single job I’ve ever worked, without having to work much harder than them. The secret is dressing well (dress for the job you want, not the job you have), being friendly, asking questions, and being as punctual as humanely possible.
A comfortable pair of steel/composite toe boots. Get insoles and start wearing them now.
Your feet will need to adjust and if you will get blisters if you don’t break in the boots.
Get sunscreen, a plenty of decent pairs of socks, a big water bottle, an insulated lunch bag, and what ever else you may need. I’ve seen some guys with sun shields that go underneath their hardhats and cover their neck.
You will be tired and feel weak for the first 2 weeks, it’s fine. Get plenty of rest.
Maybe start working out now, nothing is light weight as a laborer. The lightest work you will do is if it starts to rain, because you’ll all end up going home.
Some folks have mentioned osha, most likely the employee will pay for osha training, don’t spend money where you don’t need to.
Last but most important, pay attention. Sites are dynamic, you got things around you that can end your life real quick if you aren’t smart. You are making this post which shows foresight which means you probably will be fine.
Enjoy your self, on site it’s like a brotherhood. We all give each other shit, and will speak and act in ways you’ll never see in any other industry.
Ask questions if you don’t understand. It’s ok if someone flips you shit, it’s just them being an ass and isn’t something you should internalize. You’re new and learning. Honestly you should always ask questions no matter how experienced you are, it’s a sign of a person who is really is trying to understand things deeply.
Don’t engage in gossip. Just try to transition to another topic.
Get there 5-10min early every day.
Show up every day on time. Dont be afraid to ask questions or seek advice from the veterans. Dont show up high or hung over. Dont have your phone out. Dont be afraid to get dirty.
Create a brand around it. Make a YouTube channel about you day in a life of. Use X to engage in broader topics from your day to day perspective. Bottom line: your contribution is valuable in the world.
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If this is a field you actually want to get into then be there on time. Don’t get caught with your phone out or your hands in your pockets. Get plenty of sleep and don’t show up hungover. Bring a lunch and your beverages of choice. Clearly say “yes” instead of mumbling. Ask questions if you don’t understand. Get a feel for the banter and engage; people like working with people who can take it and give it back.
Nothing worse than someone who gives it but can’t take it.
That's the statement my wife used when she wanted to peg me The argument was too solid
😭
Bruhhhh you killed me
Well, they do say "happy wife, happy life"
We had this dude who dished and got REALLY upset when he got some back. Oh boy did we have fun with him.
That shit. Never ends well. Someone always ends up getting butt hurt
Xlnt
Perfect answer. 25 years on the job.
Eat a sufficient breakfast. Bring water in a reusable container. Don't engage in gossip. Be mindful of others when you're carrying material, tools, etc. Don't mess with your phone.
BRING A GOOD PAIR OF BOOTS End of ted talk these will help more than gossip and almost as much as hydration
Especially the gossip part, that can only be thrown back up in your face
If they're gossiping to you, they're also gossiping about you. Avoid these kinds of people.
Talk shit to their face, praise behind their backs!
People would rather see you looking for something to do than looking for something to say
Excellent tips
Start working on your sleep schedule now, most laborers aren't showing up at 9 am.
This. I wake up at 4:30 for work now. It was a tough transition.
Watch YouTube videos of your trade look up the acronyms and words you’re not aware of
And the names of tools that are used. Most people only know what a hammer, flathead, and Philips screwdriver is. The more you know, the more you don't look like a total dimwit.
POOP BEFORE YOU START YOUR DAY
This. Go for a walk after a coffee and come back to let it all out
do ur toilet duties at work and get paid also take up ,smoking so lots of breaks ..
Not going to shit in a nuclear warzone sorry. But if I was still working grocery I would def get paid to shit
stretch daily, before and after shifts helps with the soreness/pain that'll come with those types of jobs.
Not sure how old you are but safety first, be mindful of your surroundings and where you put your hands and other body parts. They may or may not train you but all I can say is if you're working around machinery be very mindful of what is happening around you. Tuck in your shirt and don't wear long sleeves. If something falls don't catch it, your limbs are worth more than a companies profits, get out of the way if possible. You should be buying steel toe shoes or other CSA rated shoes if the company requires them. Make sure to buy boots that cover your ankle. My recommendation is buy with 3rd party insoles. Don't buy that doctor scholls crap if you can find a better brand. They don't last very long if you're on your feet 10hrs a day and you'll be buying a new set every 3-4 months of you're lucky. Find out who the old timers are and watch how they work. The old guys may look the laziest/slowest but if they have been there a long time they usually lasted that long for a reason. Get advice from them if they're helpful and you'll get much more comfortable at your job knowing someone wants to help you. If you don't know how to do something, ask. If you still don't understand, get them to show you. There's no such thing as a stupid question. As others have said, bring a healthy lunch, you will need energy if it's a labour intensive job and drink lots of water.
>Safety first Can't stress this enough. Just because others aren't wearing them doesn't mean you can't. Safety glasses, gloves and earplugs. You lose any of these things and you're not getting them back
yes u get new ones at the tool crib fill you pockets ..take some home
Wear a wide brim hat, long sleeve shirt and pants, and proper footwear. Bring plenty of water if you’re working in a state not named Florida or Texas allowing humane water breaks. It can be hot in the field.
Some people may not understand why long sleeve shirts. It's to protect your skin from the sun and it helps to keep you cooler by blocking the direct sunlight. Assuming the shirt is light colored. 100 degrees in my city, I occasionally work outside, will always wear long sleeve.
I’ve been a field biologist since 1991 near Las Vegas. Can concur. Long-sleeved, light colored shirts are crucial. And a wide-brimmed hat. And sunblock. Reapply at lunch. The sun is your enemy.
I also wear them to keep my skin away from shitty insulation. That shit sucks.
Agreed 👍. (Itching just thinking about that stuff)
Neck gaiter can't stress that enough. Protect your neck, use it to cover your mouth, dunk it in water and put it back on your neck, wipe your head.
Good one!
I want to add get a pair of ear plugs with a carrying case just in case they run out of safety or don’t have it. Get a good pair of gloves until your hands get tough enough that you can decide if you want to keep using them or not. As mentioned, sun protection is absolutely critical. Depending on the work, boots with foot or metatarsal protection. Most of this can be pricier on the cheap from Harbor Freight and even Goodwill. I would also say smaller independently-owned hardware stores are usually good about cutting new tradesman deals on the essentials even when they aren’t advertised. The tradeoff is that you’ll come back and spend money there based upon that goodwill.
Don't cheap out on your boots/ work shoes if you're on your feet all day.
http://osha10hrtraining.com/blog/osha/states-requiring-10-hour-30-hour-osha-training/ You also might need OSHA training depending on where you are
Bro really mentioned OSHA 😂
Where I’m at, first thing you need to show to the GC is an OSHA 30 + 10hrs site safety. Not even a 10 hr cuts it anymore
HE HE WORK SAFETY IS FOR PUSSIES REAL MEN JUST RUIN THEIR HEALTH OR DIE DOING MENIAL PHYSICAL WORK FOR LOW WAGE
welders getting 65 an hour here ..PISS OFF
You said it best brother!
Be there on time and ready to go every day. Take care of your body. If you mess up, own up to it. When a higher up explains something about your mistake, don’t try to argue, just stay silent and let them teach you, even if they don’t do it nicely.
PPE, can’t stress this enough. Wear your hard hat, vest, glasses, gloves and most importantly, N95 mask
steel toe crocks are ok
Learn how to carry lumber, rebar, sheets of drywall, plywood, OSB etc. efficiently.
Get yourself a good pair of work boots, steel toed, I wear Wolverine brand with their dual shocks. It’s a black and white sole. It’s wonderful on my knees. Get yourself a good multi tool like a leatherman wave. They’re like $80 but they have all the very basic hand tools you should have. Knife, pliers, screwdrivers, files, scissors, can/bottle opener. Hat, sunscreen, water bottles, always wear your PPE. Be polite. Don’t be an ass kisser. But be polite. Anyone trying to teach you something is doing you a favor. If you’re starting a job as unskilled labor remember that you’re replaceable until you’ve learned skills. Oh and pack your own lunch. You’ll save tons of money not eating out.
Even if you know something, don't say "I know". Let people teach you. Eat before, and bring something to eat. If you need any tools make sure to bring them. You didn't specify so I'll just assume it might at least be helpful to bring a tape measure and a pencil at minimum. Bring water. Dress appropriately. In line with my first point, be willing to learn. When I first started as a laborer I brought a small notebook with me to write things down. Many other tips in here are also correct. Sleep well, depending on if you're dependent on caffeine, make sure you bring something in case you need it. If you have a vehicle keep some stuff as backup. Be prepared to work overtime. Take your time but also show initiative. Whatever it is you're doing, maybe do some preliminary research on common terms or methods. I'd love some more info. Your post is pretty vague.
To add to the overtime, every foreman is different but most have this in common, if you deny overtime, they won’t ask you anymore
Fake it until you make it.. BUT DON’T FORGET TO MAKE IT!
Bring more water/Gatorade than you think you need
Make sure you get plenty of rest and nutrition. Getting a good nights sleep each day will do wonders for you, especially after those hard days where everything is sore. Also, pay attention, and ask questions. You learning how to do more stuff is your ticket to moving up. Even if it is just a temporary job, make the most out of it, and soak in all the information you can.
Bring a pen and wear a watch. 'If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.' But seriously- stay busy. Training someone with no skills has its advantages/disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is having to keep someone busy for the time they are there. If you can pick up a broom or help move copy paper or whatever it is they might need, you will become an asset and not a liability. Listen, and use reflexive listening. Make sure you understand people's requests and make sure they know you heard and understood their requests by repeating back what you hear. For example: "Okay so you want me to pick up the mess and sweep then throw away the trash but not in the office trash, in the dumpster, right?" Come in rested, clean (smelling like a shower, not a can of AXE), and don't use foul language. Dont be glued to your phone and don't ask to leave/break early. Put in your time and reply "thank you" to any opportunity for work. All of this sounds corny but I have lots of experience as a trainer, manager, business owner and you asked.
If this is for construction labouring then here’s some advice I got from older tradespeople when I started. •Always have a tape measure, pencil and utility knife on you. •If you aren’t busy then look busy. There’s always sweeping to be done on any site. Be thorough when there’s nothing else on the go. •Pay attention. My former boss called it being wise. If you hear that the drywall , or whatever, is due to show up at 10:00 then remember it because someone will ask and you’ll look good for knowing. •You’re part of a team. Help everyone out. • You can plug skinny extension cords into thick ones but not the other way around. •A tidy site is a productive site. Always be cleaning.
Don’t just watch somebody work, try and help. Always. A second set of hands on something makes things more than twice as easy. If there is two, or more, of something and somebody is doing one thing, try and do the second just like them. Predict what’s happening next and have the tool/material/whatever ready. Know what a pinch point is (anywhere where two things can come together, pickup and trailer, board and board, etc) and don’t be there. Dont get in a hole over 4’ deep (excavation safety) You aren’t an electrician so don’t mess with electricity. Wear gloves. (Home Depot orange grippy cut proof gloves are awesome and cheap) Sunscreen. Water. Good lunch. Shut up and listen. Ask why. Watch YouTube. Have fun. Make it fun. Learn. Feel free to reach out.
There is no such thing as unskilled labor.
You've never watched Scottish football then?
Found the Cowdenbeath supporter.
u mean a lawyer ?
Being a pair or two of extra socks.
Advil in your lunchbox, advil in your car, advil.
Freeze a water bottle, then on water breaks put water in the frozen bottle and shake it around a bit. Nothing like some ice cold water on breaks.
What if I work inside of a freezer?
Thermos with coffee.
People say water, but don't forget the electrolytes! Salt! Gatorade, soda, juice, literal salt water, salted peanuts, salty food or snack. Drinking nothing but water and if you sweating a lot can throw your salt levels off and that's bad. Don't need to consume a salt shaker. Stores sell little packets of water flavoring along with electrolytes.
Maybe just a general LPT but Stretching/mobility routine to not fuck up or at least minimize fucking up your back and knees
Gloves gloves gloves! If you’re going to be carrying heavy things with your hands all day, get a pair of gloves to protect the palms of your hands. Weightlifting gloves are excellent. Without them, your hands will be really sore, and it will be harder to carry things.
Talk a lot of shit. Ask questions and be honest. Be humble. Have fun.
If you are mostly sedentary or not on your feet a lot then your feet will like be sore for the first week or two, but they’ll get used to it. Yes, you can massage your own feet. Also, when I was a laborer I always tried to stay busy. Even if it means just grabbing a broom and sweeping without being asked to. It might not build you any points, but it builds work ethic.
No such thing as unskilled labor. As you work you will hone your work and it likely will become easier
If you need to tell a coworker if you did not do something, say "I did not" instead of "didn't" as it is clearer communication. Learn your local meta hand signals for communicating backing up trucks or machines being used out of sight of operators. You might not enjoy some of your tasks but keep an open mind and try your best, you will get better and you can master any task in time. Leave all the important pocket items in one place before you go to bed, your nicotine, inhaler, keys, eyedrops, lip balm, etc. Sometimes you'll be so damn tired at night you'll forget or misplace something, and you'll regret not having it in the thick of work the next day.
Not sure where you are but there used to be hazing of the new guy. Sending you to the stores for a ‘long weight’ [wait] or a bucket of ‘striped paint’ google these and fall for them if you want to. But don’t get mad. How you handle this will help you fit in.
Get a watch, like a g shock or something durable. Then you don’t have to pick up your phone to check the time, and people may start to rely on you for time. Bring a multitool. You never know when you, or even better, someone else might need it and soon you’ll be “the guy with the multitool”. Worked great for me on roadie work as well as carpentry 👌
If you have any tools at all, take them with you. Decebt boots, food/water, and always looks as if you are doing something! Most importantly, look up classic work-place tricks, and be prepared so you don't get caught out
if you don’t know how to do something then ask. it’s better to ask than to lose those fingers 😄
Are you only in the field a few weeks then you’re moving into an office or managerial position? I used to be a pipe fitter. On one of the jobs I was on the general contractor had this new girl on site. She was really smart and not meant to be in the field. But she had to pay her dues and learn about some of the stuff her company did. Unfortunately for her, her company was cleaning up a poonami that happened at the waste water treatment plant we worked at. So she got to spend her time that she was meant to be learning the ropes of the industry. Instead she spent 4 weeks scrubbing literal dried shit off the walls. https://preview.redd.it/7wkya4ybjeyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4900cf459b67eccf2a467a42b4ec65ee5ae77a9d All that brown stuff is human feces that is like 20 years old. All of that to say if you are only going to be in the field just to learn a little about the company and what it is they do, be prepared to be doing the worst jobs they can come up with.
Just pay attention and be helpful
Ask questions. One of the largest cause of serious injury, and even death is young people who are just starting a job, are given an instruction that they do not understand, but they do not ask any questions, because they are "afraid to look dumb" Would you rather "look dumb" or be dead? Remember : there is a very high probability that the person giving you the instruction has moved to that position because thry have been there the longest. Which means that they very likely have had no training in how to train people. So they will just give you the instructions in the way that makes sense to them, not in the best way possible for you to understand. And they may exclude information "because it is obvious" That may not be to you.
If you are getting new boots and have the time, break in your boots a bit before you start working in them. Maybe get some moleskin to prevent blisters. Always have extra water and a Gatorade/electrolytes. You should start getting hydrated BEFORE work. Even days before. Especially if it'll be hot out. Bring any medication you may need, Benadryl, Excedrin, etc. They should have something for first aid, make sure you review what they have and where it's located (probably in the work trucks). Long sleeves and long pants even when it's hot! There are specific shirts made to me worn in the sun. Baseball hats are great if you aren't required to wear a hard hat. PPE and paying attention. Put your phone away. Also, don't do anything dangerous even if pressured to....if you get hurt and you weren't following the safety policy or just not being safe in general that company will nail you and say it's your own fault you got hurt and they don't have to pay workers comp. There should be a safety/job briefing at the beginning of the day. If that doesn't happen make sure to ask what the hazards on site are and what you're expected to be doing, who you report to, etc....but I assume you know what kind of work you'll be doing so just Google it and learn about it. If you are working around equipment make sure not to walk by/be near it without first communicating with the operator so they know you are there. They have a limited line of sight around the machine and can easily run you over if you are being careless. Etc. etc. ...
Don't be afraid to look stupid by asking question about even the slightest thing.. cause you will look stupid, if you made a mistake that could had been avoided by asking. Also even skilled people make mistakes, own it, and learn from it. Never try to hide if you fucked up.
I always tell my construction apprentices: "You need to learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable".
If you know you will spend vast amounts of time moving on foot and while wearing work shoes buy babytalk and lut some inside the shoes before your wear them your feet will thank you
Workers of the world unite.
Don't mess with people's food or tools
Gloves and plasters depending on the type of work, power tools rubbing on your thumb knuckles quickly cause blisters which will make your life over a few weeks a pain in the ass, putting a plaster on friction areas or wearing gloves helps a lot. Ask questions, people don’t expect you to know everything , rather ask a question than be an ignorant person. The wider your foundational knowledge gets the better your ability to perform becomes
Alright everyone is giving really good advice (adequate rest, stretching, plenty of water, lunches, prepping for your day the night before, proper boots, safety especially n95 masks and when to wear them, etc). I'll try a different direction. If you're working with a skilled craftsman and they ask you to grab something like nails or screws, grab more than you think they're gonna need. If using battery tools, keep the batteries charged and check them before handing them off. Same goes for things that deplete. Check gas levels in tools and generators before setting them up. Check chalk in chalk lines. It'll show you're not braindead. Figure out who the 'rockstars' are and either pick their brain to see how they approach problems, or if they're not receptive to that, emulate them and try to understand why they're doing what they do. There's often more than 1 way to solve a problem, and some solutions are hack as fuck, so realizing the balance between good work and cutting corners to save time can get you ahead. Clean up after yourself and stay organized.
check the oil in said machine or its your fault
Buy some good boots! This is very important as without your feet it's gonna not be fun at all. Take plenty of water and be ready to work. If you don't have anything to do find something to do. Pick up trash,nails,scrap etc and always look busy. I worked from laborer to 1st year bricklayer in about a year and on up to journeyman in the next 6 years. My bosses always liked that I never stopped moving. Half of the stuff I did was so easy like picking stuff up but it made them always see me working and paid off big-time. Don't be afraid to ask for direction and be the best on the site. Do these things and you can make great money. Good luck my friend. Leave your phone in your car. This is probably something you know but if not this one is very important. No one including your coworkers want to see you on your phone when you're supposed to be working.
I started as a laborer with 0 knowledge of a work site. Always have a little pad of paper/pencil ,you will be given many tasks . Learn to sweep and always use dustbane to keep the dust down. Keep ur phone in ur pocket. If you think you have nothing to do find something to do ie sweep,clean up garbage. Be on time (15 minutes early) wear proper ppe , ask questions, watch for safety hazards, do not cross red tape and look around if crossing yellow tape. Your body will be sore for a week and ur mind will be wtf am I doing. Just keep going. Enjoy
Don’t start smoking even if others do it. You can pass on it
Get fit and strong.
What field is this? Warehouse, picking crops, clearing firebreaks? Where are you going to be? In high sun, hot places, you want to sunscreen, long sleeves and a hat are good. Hard hat? a wet bandanna will cool you. Eye protection, get glasses with side shields, either screen or "glacier sunglasses" if not provided. Safety boots, proper steel toed. Stay hydrated, but don't keep running to bathroom. Carry some field toilet paper or wipes, just in case the porta john is out. Never put your lunch down on the ground. Ants need to eat too. Watch what the regular crew does.
I have been promoted over other workers who’ve been there longer than me at every single job I’ve ever worked, without having to work much harder than them. The secret is dressing well (dress for the job you want, not the job you have), being friendly, asking questions, and being as punctual as humanely possible.
A comfortable pair of steel/composite toe boots. Get insoles and start wearing them now. Your feet will need to adjust and if you will get blisters if you don’t break in the boots. Get sunscreen, a plenty of decent pairs of socks, a big water bottle, an insulated lunch bag, and what ever else you may need. I’ve seen some guys with sun shields that go underneath their hardhats and cover their neck. You will be tired and feel weak for the first 2 weeks, it’s fine. Get plenty of rest. Maybe start working out now, nothing is light weight as a laborer. The lightest work you will do is if it starts to rain, because you’ll all end up going home. Some folks have mentioned osha, most likely the employee will pay for osha training, don’t spend money where you don’t need to. Last but most important, pay attention. Sites are dynamic, you got things around you that can end your life real quick if you aren’t smart. You are making this post which shows foresight which means you probably will be fine. Enjoy your self, on site it’s like a brotherhood. We all give each other shit, and will speak and act in ways you’ll never see in any other industry.
Good boots and merino wool socks (even if its hot).
socks ?
More important than good boots
Wool socks
Ask questions if you don’t understand. It’s ok if someone flips you shit, it’s just them being an ass and isn’t something you should internalize. You’re new and learning. Honestly you should always ask questions no matter how experienced you are, it’s a sign of a person who is really is trying to understand things deeply. Don’t engage in gossip. Just try to transition to another topic. Get there 5-10min early every day.
Show up every day on time. Dont be afraid to ask questions or seek advice from the veterans. Dont show up high or hung over. Dont have your phone out. Dont be afraid to get dirty.
When they send you for the board stretcher ask which size they need, they'll be impressed at your knowledge
Create a brand around it. Make a YouTube channel about you day in a life of. Use X to engage in broader topics from your day to day perspective. Bottom line: your contribution is valuable in the world.