47-2131.00 - Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall

Updated 2010

Summary Report for:
47-2131.00 - Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall

Line and cover structures with insulating materials. May work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.

Sample of reported job titles: Insulation Installer, Installer, Insulator, Insulation Estimator, Retrofit Installer, Insulation Mechanic, Warehouse Insulation Worker

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Read blueprints and select appropriate insulation, based on space characteristics and the heat retaining or excluding characteristics of the material.
Measure and cut insulation for covering surfaces, using tape measures, handsaws, power saws, knives, or scissors.
Cover and line structures with blown or rolled forms of materials to insulate against cold, heat, or moisture, using saws, knives, rasps, trowels, blowers, or other tools and implements.
Fit, wrap, staple, or glue insulating materials to structures or surfaces, using hand tools or wires.
Cover, seal, or finish insulated surfaces or access holes with plastic covers, canvas strips, sealants, tape, cement or asphalt mastic.
Distribute insulating materials evenly into small spaces within floors, ceilings, or walls, using blowers and hose attachments, or cement mortars.
Fill blower hoppers with insulating materials.
Move controls, buttons, or levers to start blowers and regulate flow of materials through nozzles.
Prepare surfaces for insulation application by brushing or spreading on adhesives, cement, or asphalt, or by attaching metal pins to surfaces.
Remove old insulation such as asbestos, following safety procedures.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Filtering machinery — Air filtering devices; Filtered vacuum cleaners

Hazardous material protective apparel — Hooded protective suits; Protective suits

Metal cutters — Sheet metal cutters

Power saws — Reciprocating saws

Shears — Asbestos cutters; Scissors

Staple guns — Hammer staplers; Pneumatic staplers

Tool template sets — Sheet metal templates

Utility knives — Batt knives; Knives

Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — North American Insulation Manufacturers Association NAIMA 3E Plus

Project management software — CMSN FieldPAK; Comput-Ability MIKE 2000; Turtle Creek Software BidMagic Insulation Estimating

Knowledge

Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Transportation — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

Operation Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Abilities

Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Gross Body Equilibrium — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Stamina — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Work Activities

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Work Context

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Standing — How much does this job require standing?

Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body — How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

Exposed to Contaminants — How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?

Spend Time Walking and Running — How much does this job require walking and running?

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, physical therapist aides, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
SVP Range	(4.0 to < 6.0)

There are 2 recognized apprenticeable specialties associated with this occupation:
Cork Insulator, Refrigeration Plant; Insulation Worker

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities, please consult the U.S. Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information website.

For general information about apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with business, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website.

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
61	Less than high school diploma
37	High school diploma or equivalent
2	Some college, no degree

Interests

Interest code: R

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Work Styles

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Work Values

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Related Occupations

47-2042.00	Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
47-2081.00	Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
47-2082.00	Tapers
47-2142.00	Paperhangers
51-9195.07	Molding and Casting Workers

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages (2010)	$15.30 hourly, $31,830 annual
Employment (2008)	28,000 employees
Projected growth (2008-2018)	Faster than average (14% to 19%)
Projected job openings (2008-2018)	13,200
Top industries (2008)	Construction

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 wage data and 2008-2018 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2008-2018). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Sources of Additional Information

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Insulation workers . Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.

Summary Report for: 47-2131.00 - Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall