National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011
7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
76 - Trades helpers, construction labourers and related occupations
762 - Public works and other labourers, n.e.c.
7621 - Public works and maintenance labourers
Public works and maintenance labourers perform a variety of labouring activities to maintain sidewalks, streets, roads and similar areas. They are employed by public works departments in all levels of government or by private contractors under contract to governments.
Illustrative example(s)
- helper - garbage collection
- municipal labourer
- parking meter collector
- public works labourer
- road maintenance worker
- sewer maintenance worker
- sidewalk cleaner
Exclusion(s)
- Construction labourers (See 7611 Construction trades helpers and labourers)
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers (8612)
- Park maintenance labourers (See 8612 Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers)
- Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers (7522)
- Railway and motor transport labourers (7622)
- Supervisors of public works maintenance labourers and workers (See 7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews)
Main duties
Public works and maintenance labourers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Clean and maintain sidewalks, streets, roads and public grounds of municipality and other areas, working as member of crew
- Sweep debris and remove snow from streets, sidewalks, building grounds and other areas, and load snow and debris into carts or trucks
- Shovel cement and other materials into cement mixers, spread concrete and asphalt on road surfaces using shovels, rakes and hand tampers, and perform other activities to assist in maintenance and repair of roads
- Spread sand or salt on sidewalks for snow and ice control
- Dig ditches and trenches using shovels and other hand tools
- Operate jackhammers and drills to break up pavement
- Load and unload trucks with supplies and equipment
- Collect money from coin boxes of parking meters along established route
- Collect and load refuse on garbage trucks
- Assist equipment operators to secure attachments to equipment or trucks
- Assist in routine maintenance and repair of equipment
- Assist skilled tradespersons such as carpenters, plumbers and mechanics
- May operate mobile sidewalk-cleaning equipment.
Employment requirements
- Several weeks of on-the-job training are provided.
Additional information
- Progression to supervisory positions or to public works maintenance equipment operator positions is possible with experience.
7622 - Railway and motor transport labourers
Railway and motor transport labourers perform a variety of tasks to assist track maintenance workers and railway yard workers, or motor transport operators. They are employed by railway transport companies and motor transport companies.
Illustrative example(s)
- car checker, railway
- delivery truck helper
- furniture mover helper
- mover helper
- railway labourer
- signal gang helper
- swamper - truck transport
- truck driver helper
Exclusion(s)
- Material handlers (7452)
- Rail car oilers and greasers (See 7531 Railway yard and track maintenance workers)
Main duties
Railway labourers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Transport tools and equipment on push or hand car and perform other duties to assist railway track maintenance workers to lay, maintain and repair railway tracks
- Cut vegetation growth from railway tracks using scythes and mowers
- Check freight cars for physical damage and cleanliness.
Motor transport labourers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Assist truck and delivery drivers to load and unload vehicles
- Perform labouring duties in warehouses.
Employment requirements
- Some secondary school education is usually required.
Additional information
- With experience, railway labourers may progress to railway track maintenance workers or railway yard workers.
- Date modified: