Mid Green occupationConstruction and the built environment
Groundworker
Interpreting design specifications to prepare a construction site ready for structural building works to take place.
Summary
Groundworkers are the first trade onto a construction and civil engineering site and they work closely with supervisors and engineers in interpreting design specifications to prepare the site ready for the structural building works to take place. They continue their work throughout the construction phase, working with all on-site construction trades, such as bricklayers and plant operatives, up to and including the final completion activities of the project. Their work includes setting out and preparing the sub-surfaces ready for the structural work to begin, installing drainage systems, concreting, constructing roads and pathways and carrying out the finished hard landscaping. Groundworkers are able to transfer between heavy construction and civil engineering sites as well as house building, commercial building and general building sites. Groundworkers work for all types of construction companies from small subcontractors to large main contractors.
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
The principles of health, safety, welfare and environmentally responsible work practices and how they must be applied in relation to the work, self and to others including understanding the principles of risk assessments
K2:
Basic awareness of environmental and health hazards e.g. Japanese knotweed, asbestos. How to identify contaminated ground conditions and the procedures for working safely on it.
K3:
Basic principles of Building Information Modelling(BIM), drawings, method statements, manufacturers' information, work schedules and specifications
K4:
Technology including key factors and systems of work appropriate to different work environments and industry sectors (e.g. civil engineering, private residential, commercial)
K5:
The differences between modern and traditional construction methods and the physical and environmental factors when undertaking construction work and their potential impacts
K6:
The techniques to handle and move loads manually and with mechanical aids including guiding the movement of articulated vehicles, plant and machinery using hand signals, hand signalling equipment and verbal/electronic communication equipment and storing resources safely and securely
K7:
Why, when and how health and safety control equipment should be used when undertaking groundworks (e.g. personal protective equipment (PPE))
K8:
The principles and methods of working within confined space work
K9:
Erecting and dismantling access/working platforms
K10:
Establishing work area protection
K11:
Locating and excavating to expose buried utility services
K12:
Providing temporary works including excavation support
K13:
The basic principles of internal/external drainage and ducting systems
K14:
Measuring, marking, cutting and installing geo membranes to stabilise soil
K15:
Gauging, mixing, placing, compacting and finishing mortars and concrete by hand and by mixer
K16:
Reinstating excavations and ground surface finishes including installing street ironworks
Technical Educational Products
- ST0513: Groundworker (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0513
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £35,638 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 9121 Groundworkers
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 9121/00 Groundworkers
S1:
Work safely and securely in compliance with given information, organisational policies and procedures, and current health, safety and welfare legislation including following the procedures for working in contaminated ground
S2:
Conform with productive working practices and completing the work in accordance with the programme of work
S3:
Interpret and follow verbal and written work instructions from supervisors and site managers
S4:
Access, interpret and use drawings and specifications
S5:
Select the required resources including tools and fixtures
S6:
Move, handle and store resources complying with relevant legislation & guidance
S7:
Use and maintain power tools and equipment (including;. compactor plates, boning rods, portable power tools, levels, straight edges, lines, pins and laser equipment)
S8:
Gauge and mix mortars and concrete by hand and by mixer
S9:
Select and use basic setting out equipment including tape measures, levels, straight edges, lines and pins, boning rods and laser equipment under guidance of the supervisor
S10:
Install, maintain and remove temporary protection and safety arrangements for the work area relating to barriers and temporary structures, including protection, safety notices and safety lighting
S11:
Install and test basic drainage and ducting
S12:
Measure, mark, cut and install geo-membranes to stabilise soil for re-instatement and excavations
S13:
Transport and place, then compact and finish concrete to slabs/bases, footing oversights, paths, form slab edgings including positioning reinforcement and kerbs
S14:
Set out and lay flags, paviours and edging to paths, driveways and other areas
S15:
Install ironworks relating to access covers and frames, and gully grates and frames including preparatory brickwork
S16:
Locate and excavate to expose buried utility services using electronic location instruments
S17:
Provide and remove temporary works including shallow excavation support (up to 1.2 metres)
S18:
Form and reinstate excavations and surfaces to sub-grades, sub-bases and road bases
S19:
Prepare to, then direct and guide the movement of vehicles, plant or machinery
Technical Educational Products
- ST0513: Groundworker (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0513
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £35,638 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 9121 Groundworkers
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 9121/00 Groundworkers
B1:
Effective communication - oral, written, electronic, listening, body language and presentation
B2:
Customer service - develop customer relationships; build customer confidence; meet expectations and contribute to the development of an ongoing relationship with the organisation
B3:
Respect - apply equality, diversity and inclusion in dealing with others
B4:
Team work - work effectively and safely with others under minimum supervision
B5:
Independent working - take responsibility for safe completion of your own work
B6:
Logical thinking - use clear and valid reasoning when making decisions to undertake the work instructions and when problem solving
B7:
Working effectively - undertake the work in a reliable, safe and productive manner
B8:
Time management - use own time effectively to complete the work instructions to schedule and always arrive at, and be ready to work on time
B9:
Adaptability - be able to adjust to changes to the work instructions, be able to identify when specialist advice may be needed and when to advise of the need to change work instructions
B10:
Risk Management - be able to resist pressures to follow unsafe working practices
Technical Educational Products
- ST0513: Groundworker (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0513
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £35,638 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 9121 Groundworkers
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 9121/00 Groundworkers
