Drywall Finisher Job Description

The Skills and Experience of a Wall Finishing Worker

Jobs in the construction industry are often focused one area of expertise. A skilled craftsman who takes over after the drywall panel hangers leave is the one who prepares the wall for paint, texture or wall covering. The drywall finishing worker may have to join a local union in order to work on a project if the workforce is unionized.

Individual project managers may require a drywall finish to provide former references that confirm her work history. Physical strength and math skills are needed for the job. A drywall finishing person who works for a larger company may use the company's tools, while an independent finishing person who works for a different company may use her own.

Some jobs may require additional tools, such as drywall stilts, tape and mud dispensers, and hand tools that smooth the compound into rounded or arched shapes, and standard taping tools, mixers, buckets, knives and trowels are required. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the annual salary for a drywall finishing job was $45,290 in May. The top ten percent made more than $72,500.

The Risk of Exposure to a Cancer-Centrifuging Substance in Sheetrock Finishes

The first sheetrock was created in 1916. It was covered with thin layers of paper and gypsum. The result was easy to handle, fast to install, and very affordable.

By the 50's, sheetrock was used for construction projects. No one would have guessed that the sheetrock was putting lives at risk. The sheetrock finishing was mostly responsible for taping and sanding.

After the panels were hung, the finishing team would add tape to the joints. They could use a compound like mud or putty to cover the gaps. The sheetrock finishing team sanded the wall after the putty dried.

It usually took two or three applications to get the perfect finish. sheetrock finishings who have worked with material containing the cancer-causing substance are at an increased risk of developing diseases because they are constantly breathing in dust and debris full of the substance. Many construction materials contained the cancer-causing substance, which increased the risk of sheetrock finishing.

It was used in plaster, cement panels, and other materials. Imperial Gypsum Cement Plaster, Durabond Joint Compound, Quick-Treat Joint Compound, and Sabinite Acoustical Plaster were some of the brands that frequently used the substance. The risk of exposure to asbestos is still present in the manufacturing of sheetrock.

Safety and Planning for Drashing

Because of the high altitudes they work at, they need to use extra caution. If the work can be done safely from the workers, they should use ladders. Lean-to or jack scaffolds, shore scaffolds, nailed brackets, loose tile, loose brick, loose blocks, and other unstable objects cannot be used as working platforms or for their supports.

Due to their instability, slts should never be used. Sturdy scaffolds or steps that are at least 20 inches wide are used for stable working platforms. Dust is a hazard for the people who work in the industry.

The gypsum dust that is released when sheetrock is cut can be harmful to the eyes and lungs. Dust from dry mixing joint compound can be anirritant. Sanding joints can cause a lot of dust.

Dust masks and safety glasses should be used whenever a job creates dust. When fastening sheetrock to wall frames, electrical safety should be considered. Workers should be careful around interior wall wiring and make sure that electric boxes have proper shielding to prevent screws and nails from penetrating them.

The risk of electric shock is reduced by the proper working of powered nail guns, drills, and fastenings. Cutting tools should be in good working order. One of the last tasks on a construction job is drywalling.