Construction painter

A construction painter

Description

Construction painters paint the interior and exterior of buildings and other structures. They may use standard latex based paints or specialised paints for decorative effect or protective properties. Building painters are skilled in using brushes, paint rollers and paint sprayers for different applications.

Construction painters typically do the following:

  • Protect floors, furniture, and trim by covering surfaces with drop cloths and tarps and securing with tape
  • Install scaffolding and raise ladders
  • Fill holes and cracks with putty or plaster
  • Prepare surfaces by removing outlet and switch covers and by scraping, wire brushing, or sanding to a smooth finish
  • Calculate the size of the area to be painted and the amount of paint needed for the area
  • Apply primers or sealers so the paint will stick to the surface
  • Apply paint, coatings, or other finishes, using hand brushes, rollers, or sprayers

Working conditions

Construction painters work on a variety of structures, including bridges, machinery, and the interiors and exteriors of buildings. Painting requires a lot of bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing. Those who paint bridges or buildings may work at extreme heights or in uncomfortable positions; some painters are suspended by ropes or cables as they work.

Construction painters typically work both indoors and outdoors. When working outside or in confined spaces, painters may be exposed to extreme temperatures. 

Construction painters may need to wear special safety equipment for a job. For example, painters working in confined spaces, such as the inside of a large storage tank, must wear self-contained suits to avoid inhaling toxic fumes. Some painters wear additional clothing and protective eyewear when operating abrasive blasters to remove old coatings. When painting bridges, ships, tall buildings, or oil rigs, painters may work from scaffolding or harnesses.

Injuries and Illnesses

Construction painters risk injury on the job. Common hazards include falls from ladders, muscle strains from lifting, and exposure to drywall dust and other irritants.

Work Schedules

Most construction painters work full time. Self-employed painters may be able to set their own schedules. Industrial painters may be required to travel for work. Painting jobs that are outdoors may be seasonal.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to construction painter:

decorator
painter and decorator
industrial painter
commercial painter and decorator
commercial decorator
specialist painter
painter (construction)
construction decorator
construction painter and decorator

Minimum qualifications

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a construction painter.

Painters typically learn on the job: how to prepare surfaces, apply coating, hang wall covering, and match colors. Painters may have to complete additional safety training in order to work with scaffolding and harnesses.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Construction painter is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Construction painter career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to construction painter.

paperhanger
ceiling installer
insulation worker
plasterer
resilient floor layer

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of construction painter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of construction painter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

construction painting supervisor
paperhanger supervisor
plastering supervisor
construction scaffolding supervisor
insulation supervisor

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of construction painter.

  • Types of paint: Varieties of paint and chemicals used in their composition.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of construction painter.

  • Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
  • Remove paint: Remove paint by using chemical strippers, a heat gun, sanding or scraping the surface.
  • Snap chalk line: Stretch a line covered in fine, non-staining chalk between two points and snap it against a surface to produce a straight line.
  • Protect surfaces during construction work: Cover floors, ceiling, skirting boards and any other surfaces with various materials such as plastic or textile to keep them from being damaged or stained when performing construction or renovation work like painting or plastering.
  • Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
  • Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
  • Transport construction supplies: Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers’ safety and protection from deterioration.
  • Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
  • Prepare surface for painting: Make sure the surface to be painted is free of scratches and dents. Assess the porosity of the wall and the need for coating. Remove any grease, dirt, moisture and traces of previous coverings.
  • Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
  • Inspect paintwork: Inspect a painted surface, either one recently painted or an old layer. Watch for dents, cracks, flaking, air bubbles, mould and other issues.
  • Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
  • Sand between coats: Smoothen the surface of a workpiece by sanding it in between applying coats in order to obtain a clear, stronger coat.
  • Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
  • Paint surfaces: Use brushes and rollers to apply a coat of paint to a prepared surface evenly and without leaving drops.
  • Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
  • Clean painting equipment: Disassemble, clean, and reassemble paint sprayers and other vehicle painting equipment.
  • Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
  • Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.
  • Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction painter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Advise on construction materials: Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.
  • Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
  • Use sander: Use different types of drywall sanders, automatic or manual, handheld or on an extension, to sand surfaces to a smooth finish or to rough them up for better adhesion.
  • Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
  • Paint with a paint gun: Use a paint gun to coat or paint surfaces of items which are stationary or moving on a conveyor belt. Load the equipment with the suitable type of paint and spray the paint onto the surface in an even and controlled manner to prevent paint from dripping or splashing.
  • Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
  • Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
  • Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
  • Calculate needs for construction supplies: Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.
  • Operate rust proofing spray gun: Operate a semi-automatic or handheld spray gun designed to provide the surface of a workpiece with a permanent, corrosion-protective finishing coat, safely and according to regulations.
  • Install construction profiles: Install a variety of metal or plastic profiles used to attach materials to each other or to structural elements. Cut them to size if called for.
  • Build scaffolding: Assemble temporary scaffolding structures for construction, maintenance or event-related purposes. Set vertical standards on the base plate of the scaffolding structure. Ensure the scaffolding structure is secured from lateral forces and supported sufficiently. Place wood or metal scaffolding decks into the transoms to stand on and make sure they are aligned. Safely set scaffolding stairs and ladders, which allow enough room for safe and easy manoeuvring.
  • Mix paint: Thoroughly mix different types of paint manually or mechanically. Start from basic paints or from powder and mix in water or chemicals. Check the consistency of the resulting mixture.
  • Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
  • Order construction supplies: Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.
  • Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
  • Recognise signs of corrosion: Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
  • Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
  • Blast surface: Blast a surface with sand, metal shot, dry ice or other blasting material to remove impurities or rough up a smooth surface.
  • Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.

ISCO group and title

7131 – Painters and related workers


References
  1. Construction painter – ESCO
  2. Painters, Construction and Maintenance : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  3. Painter and Paperhanger Job Description – StateUniversity.com
  4. Featured image: Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA from Pexels
Last updated on September 3, 2022

Discuss this topic in our forum

Found this article helpful? Have additional insights or questions about this job description? Join the discussion in our dedicated forum and share your thoughts with the community. Our forum is a great place to connect with others in your field, ask questions, and continue the conversation.