Work Setting And Behavior- An Empirical Examination Of Building Construction Work*

This paper will examine the relationship between the inanimate physical work setting of the building construction project and the behavior patterns of the building construction tradesmen who work there. A construction project is a unique variety of behavioral setting; it is a transitional work setting (Riemer, 1975a). Each day as the building progresses it changes in physical structure and provides a new basis from which to build. Building construction projects differ from factories or office buildings since workers are continually confronted with a changing work milieu. Most existing research has taken place in permanent work settings where the longitudinal interdependence of setting and worker behavior has been neglected. The transitional nature of the building construction project can best be portrayed by describing the more salient changes that occur during the phases of the building sequence. In the beginning of the “roughing phase” the site is leveled, surveyed and excavated. Concrete footings are poured and weight bearing columns and concrete block walls are raised on these footings. The basement is capped off (in this case with pre-cast concrete planks), and the rough carpentry work begins. The building is “framed out,” and plumbing, heating and electrical systems begin to be roughed in. Outside the building, the various “life line” systems (electric, gas, water, sewer, and telephone) are brought over and connected to the building. Once completed, the site is backfilled and leveled to finish grade. As the roughing phase continues, drywalling is installed creating the rooms and other internal regions of the building. When sewer and water linesare completed, the basement floor is leveled and poured with concrete. During this period the external walls and roof of the building are completed while the internal roughing work continues. Before the roughing work ends, the “finishing phase” begins. Walls are painted, telephones are installed and wallpaper is hung. Outside the landscapingis being done, and roadways are being completed. Electrical and plumbing fixtures are installed along with cabinets, carpeting and appliances. The final phase consists of testing and inspecting the systems of the new building and putting on the final touches of paint, stain and fretwork. When the last of the cleaning is complete, the building is complete. Just as the physical structure of the building changes from its inception to completion, so do the workers and the working conditions facing them. In the beginning of the “roughing phase” few workers are present on the site, and their working conditions are crude and primitive. Few basic conveniences are present