Eli5 Why construction workers start so early in the morning?
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Working in daylight is generally preferable for a whole lot of reasons. In summer, that’s often not a limiting factor but when the days are shorter it definitely is. Where I am, 7 am start is pretty normal which is about right for working in daylight in the spring / summer months.
It’s not unusual to start on-site at 8am in winter because it doesn’t get light until after 7 but for mobile crews, that still means starting in the yard at 7 so that you’re on site and ready to go when the light is ready. It gets dark a lot earlier so if you waste daylight you don’t get as much done which is particularly problematic if there is a bit of daily setup and pack up as you end up making the job take a whole lot longer because you waste that hour or two every day no matter how many or few hours you work
Working in daylight is generally preferable for a whole lot of reasons. In summer, that’s often not a limiting factor but when the days are shorter it definitely is. Where I am, 7 am start is pretty normal which is about right for working in daylight in the spring / summer months.
It’s not unusual to start on-site at 8am in winter because it doesn’t get light until after 7 but for mobile crews, that still means starting in the yard at 7 so that you’re on site and ready to go when the light is ready. It gets dark a lot earlier so if you waste daylight you don’t get as much done which is particularly problematic if there is a bit of daily setup and pack up as you end up making the job take a whole lot longer because you waste that hour or two every day no matter how many or few hours you work
It’s all about schedule. There’s a deadline for getting a project done, so most construction efforts work hours that maximize the amount of work done in the daytime. Sometimes projects work in shifts that also includes at night if it is an expedited project.
This is also productive for the workers as nearly all construction workers are paid hourly.
It’s all about schedule. There’s a deadline for getting a project done, so most construction efforts work hours that maximize the amount of work done in the daytime. Sometimes projects work in shifts that also includes at night if it is an expedited project.
This is also productive for the workers as nearly all construction workers are paid hourly.
The answers provided make the assumption that the decision to start early is based on logical/practical reasoning. I’d say it’s 99% cultural conformity – all blue collar work starts early, after a few years of that one becomes used to starting early and that becomes their personal norm. Those who go on to become employers carry this norm – absolutely no one sits down and says “let me evaluate and consider changing my current start time on the basis of logic and practicality.”
The answers provided make the assumption that the decision to start early is based on logical/practical reasoning. I’d say it’s 99% cultural conformity – all blue collar work starts early, after a few years of that one becomes used to starting early and that becomes their personal norm. Those who go on to become employers carry this norm – absolutely no one sits down and says “let me evaluate and consider changing my current start time on the basis of logic and practicality.”
Construction workers are notorious for their one-upmanship. They used to start at totally normal times like 8:00am but then one day Bob rocked up at 7:50, well Harry couldn’t handle the attention Bob got for this so the next day Harry rocked up at 7:40. Before they knew it, they’re all getting there at stupid times like 4:30.
Legend has it that they actually rewinded a whole day and fitted in 31 days worth of work in 30 days once but I think that’s just a myth caused by one-upmanship shit talking.
Construction workers are notorious for their one-upmanship. They used to start at totally normal times like 8:00am but then one day Bob rocked up at 7:50, well Harry couldn’t handle the attention Bob got for this so the next day Harry rocked up at 7:40. Before they knew it, they’re all getting there at stupid times like 4:30.
Legend has it that they actually rewinded a whole day and fitted in 31 days worth of work in 30 days once but I think that’s just a myth caused by one-upmanship shit talking.
A lot of construction workers stay away depending on where the site is. A week of 12 hour shifts on site can mean not having to travel back the following week. Also, construction programmes can be ridiculous and loads of contracts have late fees built in so it’s in their interest to keep it on or ahead of time.
A lot of construction workers stay away depending on where the site is. A week of 12 hour shifts on site can mean not having to travel back the following week. Also, construction programmes can be ridiculous and loads of contracts have late fees built in so it’s in their interest to keep it on or ahead of time.
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