NIOSH Program Portfolio : Construction : Sector Description

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Construction

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Construction is a large, dynamic, and complex industry sector that plays an important role in the U.S. economy. Construction workers and employers build our roads, houses, and workplaces and repair and maintain our nation's physical infrastructure. Construction work can involve building of new structures, which may include activities involved with subdividing land for sale as building sites or preparation of sites for new construction. Construction work also includes renovations involving additions, alterations, or maintenance and repair of buildings or engineering projects such as highways or utility systems.

In 2002, there were 7.19 million paid construction workers in 710,307 construction establishments, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Construction involves three major employer subdivisions.

Construction of Buildings (NAICS 236) consisting 1.67 million workers in 211,845 establishments that construct residential (NAICS code 2361) and nonresidential (NAICS code 2362) buildings.

Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 237), consisting of 1.14 million workers and 49,826 establishments performing Utility System Construction (NAICS 2371); Land Subdivision (NAICS 2372); Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (NAICS 2373); and other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 2379).

Special Trade Contractors (NAICS 238), consisting of 4.38 million workers and 448,636 establishments, primarily engaged in activities to produce a specific component (e.g., masonry, painting, and electrical work) of a construction project. Activities of specialty trade contractors are usually subcontracted from other construction establishments or directly from the facility owner. This group is further divided into the following categories: Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors (NAICS 2381); Building Equipment Contractors (NAICS 2382); Building Finishing Contractors (NAICS 2383); and Other Specialty Trade Contractors (NAICS 2389).

For more information regarding the Construction sector, please see the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Web site (Code 23):
External Link: http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html

NAICS Codes for Construction
External Link: http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/naicod02.htm#N23

The Industry at a Glance profile from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides detailed information about employment, wages, productivity, and the occupational outlook for the Construction sector.
External Link: http://stats.bls.gov/iag/construction.htm

The Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies 20 Construction Trade occupations:

Boilermakers
Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons
Carpenters
Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers
Cement masons, concrete finishers, segmental pavers, and terrazzo workers
Construction and building inspectors
Construction equipment operators
Construction laborers
Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers
Electricians
Elevator installers and repairers
Glaziers
Hazardous materials removal workers
Insulation workers
Painters and paperhangers
Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Plasterers and stucco masons
Roofers
Sheet metal workers
Structural and reinforcing iron and metal workers

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - 2006-2007 Edition
External Link: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/print/oco1009.htm

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	NIOSH Programs > Construction > Sector Description Construction Input: Sector Description Construction is a large, dynamic, and complex industry sector that plays an important role in the U.S. economy. Construction workers and employers build our roads, houses, and workplaces and repair and maintain our nation's physical infrastructure. Construction work can involve building of new structures, which may include activities involved with subdividing land for sale as building sites or preparation of sites for new construction. Construction work also includes renovations involving additions, alterations, or maintenance and repair of buildings or engineering projects such as highways or utility systems. In 2002, there were 7.19 million paid construction workers in 710,307 construction establishments, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Construction involves three major employer subdivisions. Construction of Buildings (NAICS 236) consisting 1.67 million workers in 211,845 establishments that construct residential (NAICS code 2361) and nonresidential (NAICS code 2362) buildings. Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 237), consisting of 1.14 million workers and 49,826 establishments performing Utility System Construction (NAICS 2371); Land Subdivision (NAICS 2372); Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (NAICS 2373); and other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction (NAICS 2379). Special Trade Contractors (NAICS 238), consisting of 4.38 million workers and 448,636 establishments, primarily engaged in activities to produce a specific component (e.g., masonry, painting, and electrical work) of a construction project. Activities of specialty trade contractors are usually subcontracted from other construction establishments or directly from the facility owner. This group is further divided into the following categories: Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors (NAICS 2381); Building Equipment Contractors (NAICS 2382); Building Finishing Contractors (NAICS 2383); and Other Specialty Trade Contractors (NAICS 2389). For more information regarding the Construction sector, please see the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Web site (Code 23): External Link: http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html NAICS Codes for Construction External Link: http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/naicod02.htm#N23 The Industry at a Glance profile from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides detailed information about employment, wages, productivity, and the occupational outlook for the Construction sector. External Link: http://stats.bls.gov/iag/construction.htm The Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies 20 Construction Trade occupations: Boilermakers Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons Carpenters Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers Cement masons, concrete finishers, segmental pavers, and terrazzo workers Construction and building inspectors Construction equipment operators Construction laborers Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers Electricians Elevator installers and repairers Glaziers Hazardous materials removal workers Insulation workers Painters and paperhangers Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters Plasterers and stucco masons Roofers Sheet metal workers Structural and reinforcing iron and metal workers Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - 2006-2007 Edition External Link: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/print/oco1009.htm < Construction Program \| Sector Description \| Economic Factors >				NIOSH Program: Construction Program Description Inputs Sector Description Economic Factors Occupational Risks National Research Agenda (NORA) NIOSH Strategic Goals Partners NIOSH Contacts Activities NIOSH Research Projects NIOSH Funded Research Grants Outputs Publications Topic Pages Research to Practice Conferences Outcomes Review & Evaluation Program Review National Academies Evaluation
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