Concreter

Concreters predominantly lay concrete into temporary formwork over steel reinforcement rods, mesh or cables to create structures such as concrete slabs, columns, drainage and communication pits and walls.

Tasks and tools used

preparation tasks include site clean-up, use of hand blowers and vacuums
moving bulk quantities of concrete into place by assisting a Hoseman position hoses for pumping the concrete
can assist with the guiding and releasing of concrete from a crane shute
manually pushing and pulling a wheelbarrow (empty or with concrete) including over uneven surfaces
may involve lifting and carrying 20kg bags of concrete mix to load into mixers
shovelling concrete
spreading concrete using vibration wands and levels
manually screeding concrete by bending and using a hand screed
may use vibrating or compact screeding machines which are generally lifted by 2 workers
finishing equipment used are hand trowels and hand tools to finish off surfaces such as edging, adding surface textures, patchwork or surface repairs
site access may involve climbing stairs and ladders, negotiating uneven surfaces and obstacles, walking in wet concrete and over mesh reinforcement sheets and formwork.

Personal protective equipment

gloves
hard hat
mask
visibility vest
trousers
safety boots
ear muffs/plugs
safety glasses
sunscreen.

Critical job demand descriptor	% of time the task is performed	Task
Constant	>66%	standing negotiation of uneven surfaces
Frequent	34% - 66%	trunk flexion greater than 15 degrees/below waist bending periods of repetitive flexed and rotated position of the trunk when shovelling
Occasional	5% - 33%	climbing of stairs and ladders pushing/pulling of heavy objects including over uneven surfaces exposure to vibration kneeling and crouching positions lifting of heavy objects greater than 25kg between floor and waist level
Rare	<5%	lifting objects weighing up to 20kg between floor and chest height

Suitable duties

goals must be clear, realistic and achievable
must have 'buy-in' from the worker
worker helps to set the goals, and must be answerable if goals are not met (this allows barriers to RTW to be identified at an early stage and obstacles overcome)
workers need to understand they have an obligation to participate in rehabilitation and RTW as per Section 232 of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (the Act).

Concreter return to work suggestions

Worker can begin with light duties and include more tasks as their capacity for work changes. We'll work with all parties, including the treating medical provider, employer and worker to ensure everyone is aware of where the worker is with their rehabilitation and stay at, or return to work.

Note: some tasks are dependent on worker's injury and capacity, and some tasks may require the assistance of a co-worker.

Host employment

In the event an employer is unable to provide suitable duties, a host placement may be required. If this is the case, the worker may be placed at a different employer in a graduated return to work plan until they're able to 'upgrade' back to his/her pre-injury role with their pre-injury employer.

WorkCover Queensland's Recover at Work program places injured workers in short term host employment with employers who have an established track record of successful return to work outcomes with their own workers.

More return to work resources

View physical demands photos for Concreter